Hewlett splits first 10 games

There’s nothing Anthony Scro wants more than to win as the head coach of the Hewlett girls’ basketball team.
“I don’t want to do anything half-speed,” Scro said. “Whether it’s coach, teach, anything. When I played sports, I never wanted to go half-speed. If I don’t invest my time, what am I doing coaching?”
The Bulldogs came out of the gates with their feet on the gas, starting the season 5-2. But right before Christmas, a brutal 40-point blowout at the hands of South Side brought them to a screeching halt.
“Nobody likes to lose,” Scro said. “But I can live with competitive losses. It’s the games where we’re turning it over so many times, or lazy, sloppy errors may be the difference. Those are the things that will absolutely frustrate you a little bit more.”
The team has yet to recover, as it’s in the midst of a three-game losing streak. It’s a position that Scro despises to be in, especially after all the hours that he’s invested into the program.

“I demand a lot as a coach,” Scro said. “When they hear in our preseason meeting what our goals are, and they still choose to be part of the program, it’s you’re sending the message that they’re going to buy into that philosophy.”
Scro opens the gym seven days a week to give his players as much of an opportunity to improve. Although he gives them ample time, he he also knows they don’t always have it themselves.
“There’s only so much time in the day,” Scro said. “Kids need to do their homework. They need to focus on their family and friends. I do understand the realistic nature of it.”
Some have still found ways to take major strides. Senior Brianna Ruta put together her first-ever 20-point game, and sophomore Kayla Owens already has a few of her own. Freshman Mia Koloden put up 30 one night.
Nevertheless, the playoffs are as much of a guarantee for Hewlett as the Bulldogs are an uncertainty.
“The big thing with this team is I don’t want to waste our potential,” Scro said. “I really do think that this is a playoff team. This group of girls will earn the right to get to the playoffs, especially after underperforming last year. It’s critical going forward that this program gets back to where it can and should be.”
The Bullogs split their first four conference games wins over Roosevelt and Kennedy. Ruta hit for 23 points and Owens added 10 against Roosevelt. Koloden (19), junior Sienna LaPaglia (16) and Ruta (10) all scored in double figures against Kennedy.
Even if his team doesn’t get to the postseason, helping them grow as people and reach individual goals will more than suffice as a consolation prize.
“One of my mantras is ‘It’s bigger than basketball,’ Scro said. Accountability, becoming better young ladies in society, working through tough times, I really do think that it’s going to help them in the long run. When they have a tough boss they don’t get along with, or they have a class that may be very difficult. Sports do so much more than just prepare a child to play a sport.”