Impressive start for Oceanside

A deep collection of experienced guards and one of the top young players in Nassau County has Oceanside’s girls’ basketball team off to its best start in head coach Jason Manning’s seven seasons at the helm.

Back in the demanding Conference AA-I after a one-year stop in AA-II, the Lady Sailors captured three of their first four conference games and entered this week’s action with an overall mark of 9-1. 

“We’re playing well and feeling pretty good,” said Manning, who last season guided Oceanside to 11 wins and an appearance in the Nassau Class AA quarterfinals. “The girls are really into it and working hard,” he added. “They’re starting to sense it could be a big season. Looking back at some of our early non-league wins against Seaford, Island Trees, and South Side, we’re really happy about those since all three teams are still unbeaten in their respective conferences.”

After dropping their AA-I opener at home versus Syosset, ending a six-game winning streak, the Lady Sailors have ripped off three straight victories including a 19-point triumph at Freeport on Dec. 22. Behind a balanced attack led by senior Risa Zucker’s 13 points, they built an insurmountable 21-point halftime lead on the way to a 54-35 decision.

“We played Freeport tough two years ago, but this was the first time we won at their place since I’m coaching,” Manning said. “It certainly was a big win for us. They’re always so strong.”

Eighth-grader Jamie Behar added 10 points, junior Sabrina Seeger had nine points and 13 rebounds, and junior Samantha Stein had nine points.

“For many years we got into trouble when teams like Massapequa and Freeport turned up the pressure, but now we’ve got the upper hand if teams want to press us,” said Manning, who starts four seniors — Zucker, Cassie Cesario, Courtney Capobianco and Sami Bloecker — along with Behar.

“We’ve been creating matchup problems,” he added. “We essentially have four guards in the starting lineup if you count Jamie. Even though she’s our tallest player, she has a great handle.”

Behar averaged a team-best 13.4 points over the first 10 games and hit for double figures in all but one. She’s nailed 14 treys. “Jamie’s one of the top young talents in the county,” Manning said.

Cesario is thriving in her third season as the starting point guard, the coach said, and has been a key to the press-break that was long the team’s Achilles heel. She had a season-high 12 points in a 68-46 victory at Hempstead on Jan. 5.

Capobianco leads the Lady Sailors in categories that don’t make the boxscore, Manning said, like deflections, blocked shots and taking charges. Stein (21) and Behar combined for 40 points to lead a win over East Rockaway, and Seeger netted 16 against Seaford.

“We have such great balance and always talk about who’s night is it going to be,” Manning said. “We never know who’s going to step up. It’s exciting.”