Lady Spartans seek playoff upset

As the beat goes on for North Shore, the No. 1 seed in the Nassau Class A girls’ basketball playoffs, Valley Stream North is basking in the accomplishment of qualifying for postseason play for the third time in four seasons after finishing the regular season with 10 wins, including a 7-5 mark in Conference A-IV.  

“It’s historic and everyone’s proud of it,” Lady Spartans coach Geoff O’Connell said of the playoff appearance. “The girls are excited. We’re hoping to get a good matchup, break through with a playoff win and better our reputation as a program on the rise.”

Should O’Connell’s team advance beyond the first round, there’s a good chance for another trip to North Shore next Tuesday. Last Friday, the Lady Vikings were hitting on all cylinders and rolled to an 85-55 win over North behind Amanda Johansen’s 20 points, including the 1,000th of her career. Senior Elyse Zappia had 17 points and classmate Madeline Nelson, who reached the 1,000-point mark last month, added 16 for the Lady Spartans.

“We went in with the mindset that we had nothing to lose, but they really came out strong,” O’Connell said. “If we see them again, we need a strong first quarter like we had the first time and we need to box out better. 

“They’re not a given to win it all, but they’re hands-down the team to beat,” he added of the Conference A-IV champs.

The Lady Spartans entered the regular-season finale against Mineola last Monday evening trying to avoid a two-game slide heading into the playoffs and beat the Lady Mustangs, 51-34. Kerri Medlock, who had 25 points and 16 rebounds to lead Mineola to an 18-point win in the first meeting, had only six points in the rematch. Zappia (17), Nelson (15) and junior Dana Morgante (14) all scored in double figures for North, which outscored the visitors in every quarter.

“We have to put that full 32 minutes together in the playoffs,” O’Connell said. “Beating Mineola was big. It showed we’re definitely capable.”