Seaford shoots for conference title

Posted

Seaford’s girls’ basketball team is in position for a shot at a conference title with underclassmen leading the way.

The Lady Vikings, who start sophomores, entered the week one game out of first place in Conference A-IV at 8-1 with three games remaining including at first place Island Trees (9-0) in the regular season finale. Island Trees handed Seaford its only league setback, 43-38 on Jan. 14 in a game where the Vikings led by two entering the fourth quarter.

“We’re building and improving,” Seaford head coach Bob Vachris said. “They are working hard.”

Sophomore twin sisters Julia and Jenna Siler are excelling in their third season on varsity. Julia has helped anchor the backcourt at guard and tallied 11 points in Seaford’s 55-26 win against Mineola on Jan. 16. Jenna is a force inside and outside as a 5-foor-9 forward and scored 18 points with 11 rebounds in a 58-37 win against Friends on Jan. 19.

“Jenna is the best player on the team,” Vachris said. “She keeps getting better.”

The Lady Vikings have gotten solid play near the basket from sophomores Madison O’Hagan and Jackie Grzelaczyk. O’Hagan achieved a double-double in 36-29 home win against Clarke on Jan. 5 with 11 points and 18 rebounds. Grzelaczyk has posted three double-doubles and was the Vikings’ leading scorer with 14 in a 41-35 victory at Clarke last Friday.

“She is starting to become a force inside,” Vachris said of Grzelaczyk. “She has been our most improved player.”

Junior guard Kaitlyn Meyer shined at guard before missing seven games from a concussion injury. Senior Alyssa Mallery stepped into the starting lineup in Meyer’s absence and put up 17 points including four 3-pointers in a 51-26 triumph against Locust Valley on Jan. 9.

“She has really stepped up her game this year,” Vachris said of Mallery.

Seaford has played a rigorous non-conference schedule this season, which Vachris said is designed to prepare his players for critical league games and the upcoming Nassau County Class A playoffs. The Lady Vikings took on Syosset from Class AA on Jan. 21 without Julie Siler due to a sprained wrist and fell 57-44.

“The kids got a lot out of it,” said Vachris of the game against Syosset, which featured junior Ally Palermo posting a season-high nine points. “You have to be prepared to go against strong kids, which Syosset has plenty of.”

Seaford hosts Locust Valley in its final home game this Friday night at 7 p.m. before closing the regular season at Island Trees on Monday in a game that could decide who captures the conference. Vachris said winning the league would allow the Lady Vikings to earn a higher seed in the 16-team playoffs. Seaford fell to Manhasset in the first round as a 12 seed last winter and advanced to the semifinals the previous season as the No. 7 seed.

“If we can end up somewhere in the top 10 seeds we will be in good shape,” he said. “They can play with anybody.”