Youngsters spark West Hempstead

Coming into the 2010-11 girls’ basketball season, West Hempstead coach Chris Van Kovics didn’t have great expectations. Facing a tough conference schedule, which includes two meetings each with Floral Park, North Shore, Valley Stream South, and Great Neck North, chances for a successful campaign appeared bleak.

Things didn’t look promising for the Rams after losing their first six games, but a few changes in personnel led West Hempstead to victories in two of its next three contests.

Van Kovics hopes the team can grow in the second half of the season. “We brought up three freshmen who were pretty much dominating at the JV level,” Van Kovics said. “They were ready for the challenge of playing at the varsity level. We’re still going to struggle to score, but this gives us an opportunity to see what girls can do in different situations. We’re just looking to get better as the season goes along.”

After falling to Port Washington in the opener, the Rams lost a heartbreaker to Valley Stream North. Trailing by 15 points entering the final quarter, West Hempstead heated up before falling to the Lady Spartans, 37-36. The Rams got a game-high 18 points from senior captain Katie Lynch. 

West Hempstead was brushed aside by Herricks, Locust Valley, and Glen Cove before losing a tight one to Valley Stream South and Ugo Nwaigwe. South’s star center scored 24 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, and blocked 10 shots to lead the Lady Falcons to a 46-39 win. Freshman Nicole Christenson scored 15 points to lead the Rams.

The Rams finally got in the win column with a convincing 47-29 road victory over Clarke. Christenson, who was playing in just her fourth varsity game, scored 18 points and pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the way. Senior forward Sarah Njoku added 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Rams.

West Hempstead picked up a conference win when it traveled to Manhasset and knocked off the Lady Indians, 47-43. Lynch scored seven of her game-high 15 points in the final quarter. All three freshmen got into the act in this one. Christenson scored 12 points, guard Kara Lynch added nine, and Angela Gracie pulled down 10 rebounds. Njoku had a solid game, scoring nine points and pulling down 12 rebounds.

Van Kovics is hopeful his team can be more competitive the second time around in conference play. “We knew coming into the season that there would be games where we simply wouldn’t be able to match up with our opponent,” Van Kovics said. “We’re young and inexperienced, but I think we should be able to give league opponents a tougher game the second time around. We need to handle pressure better, and play stronger on the defensive end. Right now, it’s a teaching process and a learning process.”

The Rams take the court against Glen Cove at home on Friday at 6:30 p.m.