North Shore caps third straight conference title

The North Shore girls’ basketball dynasty rolled on Monday, completing its third straight unbeaten season in conference play after beating Friends Academy, 51-38.

The Vikings finished at 17-3, including 12-0 in Conference A2 for its third straight title. The Vikings last conference loss came in February of 2021.

Now the Sea Cliff/Glen Head school wants more. The Nassau County Class A championships commence and the Vikings are serious threats after the recent superstar play of junior point guard Sofia Della Ratta. The Vikings will open the playoffs Feb. 17 at home.

“It just means these girls have continued to work in the offseason,’ head coach Keith Freund said. “It’s what I believe what separates us from other teams. We don’t just pick up basketballs starting in November. We had 75 open gyms last year. The girls are dedicated to continue being successful. They’re not OK with just conference championships. They want a county title.’’

The recent production of Della Ratta has been astounding. Against Friends Academy, Della Ratta racked up 21 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.

“Without her, we’re not where we are right now,’’ Freund said. 

For the season, Della Ratta averaged 11.8 points, 4.7 assists, 8.9 rebounds and 2.7 steals. In the last six games, her totals rose, averaging a double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds.) 

“She’s playing basketball the way she’s always been capable of,’’ Freund said. “She’s super talented and super athletic. But she was never playing as well as she could. I knew there was more in her.’’

Della Ratta has strong bloodlines. Her uncle is Kevin Houston, the former Army superstar. Her grandfather, Jeremiah, played at St. John’s. 

“She’s seeing the court, getting to the rim and shooing the ball unbelievably well,’’ Freund said. “The difference between December and now is astronomical.’’ 

Many in her family became coaches so It’s no surprise Della Ratta credits teammates.

“I can’t be doing this without my teammates,’’ she said. “They’re always kicking me the ball and going for boards where I can get a shot from. They do a lot of the work. And everyone’s hyped and enthusiastic on the bench so I really feel strong to grab those rebounds’’ 

Della Ratta joined varsity as a freshman so knows nothing but conference crowns. “It feels great, especially doing it with girls I’ve known the past four years,’’ Della Ratta said. “It’s really fun. We’re a close-knit team with really good chemistry on and off the court.’’

The Vikings have been boosted by exceptional 3-point shooting from senior guard Emma Priolo, who finished with a Nassau County-high of 56. “We’re only getting started,’’ Priolo said. “We boost each other’s confidence. They’re looking out for us. I feel we’re a team to be reckoned with in the playoffs.’’

An X-factor in postseason is center Keira Pombar, who also has excelled recently in posting up more. “She’s going strong to the rim,’’ Freund said.   

The playoffs arrive at a perfect time. “Even when we were winning earlier in the year, I wasn’t happy how we were playing,’’ Freund said. “We were making too many mistakes.  We were complicating the game. I always tell the girls to keep it simple. The last couple of weeks they are seeing how simple basketball can be. We’re peaking at the right time.’’

Last season’s squad went unbeaten in conference play but lost in the second round. “If we play as hard as we can in the county and lose, I‘ll walk away fine,’’ Freund said. “We have the potential to win the county but there’s six good teams capable of winning.’’