Title loss doesn’t diminish team success

The Lawrence Woodmere Academy (LWA) boy’s varsity basketball team enjoyed through a very successful season all the way to the IPSAAL championship game against Our Savior Lutheran on Feb. 26.
The team arrived at Martin Luther’s gym ready to battle. With the support of family and staff, LWA “Tiger” spirit was clearly in the air. The game was close with one team leading by only a couple of points early on, keeping the fans on their feet. The air was tense, and the stillness in the air as the ball approached the net each time was tangible.
Our Savior picked up their game in the third quarter. The Tigers refused to let the score get to them, however, demonstrating strong passion and drive throughout. The buzzer sounded and hearts wrenched. The friends and family of the players on the court knew that our team had given this game its all. For seniors, it was their last game, and for the underclassmen, their legacy was just beginning.
A moment that is always bittersweet, the team took their defeat with maturity and grace. “We had a good level of intensity,” said junior Max Frankel. We just couldn’t come back with a win. I’m excited to be a senior on the team next year and hopefully bring the team to new heights.”
Though LWA ended its terrific season with a loss, coach Jeff Weiss recognized the excellent play of one his senior players and the whole squad that completed a 17-8 season (2-1 in the playoffs). “On an individual note, Alex Kompogiorgas had an incredible season, averaging 22 points a game and being one of the top 15 scorers on all of Long Island. Congratulations to Alex Kompogiorgas and the entire team.”

Kompogiorgas was selected as an All-Conference player, and shared the credit for his play with his coaches and teammates. “I am truly honored and blessed to be chosen as an All-Conference player this year,” Kompogiorgas said. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates, coach Dan McMenamin, and coach Jeff Weiss. Both coaches pushed me as a player to strive for more and to never give up, no matter the situation. As coach Weiss says, ‘There is no substitution for effort.’ It is truly an honor to be selected as one of the All-Conference players and to be a part of such a great institution.”
The boys’ spirit and determination still rings in the gym as we begin the spring seasons of baseball and softball, remind us that, as LWA tigers, we have quite a reputation to uphold. It is one of hard work and discipline, maturity and integrity.
Congratulations to this season’s team on all of its accomplishments: We could not be more proud of you.