Second acts in movies generally introduce heightened conflict.
For Calhoun’s girls’ basketball team, this season’s second half presents the chance to settle some scores, said Colts head coach Dan Catapano – whose club at the midpoint has jelled, he said, in time to write its own major plot twist.
Following its 42-40 league loss at Sewanhaka Jan. 8, Calhoun (5-9 overall, 2-6 in Nassau Conference AA2) unloaded on league foe Glen Cove, blasting the visiting Big Red 61-26 at home Jan. 11 – the outburst an indication the young Colts offense, paced by junior Katie DiPaola (8.8 points per game), may have “turned a corner,” Catapano said, pointing as well to the Colts’ ensuing close league loss at Carey, 55-50.
“We’ve had four games where we’ve lost by one or two possessions, so everybody's looking forward to getting a second chance at teams,” Catapano said. “I think we're finally hitting our stride. Kids are finally trusting one another, communicating more. They’re becoming more confident in their roles.”
A second-year starter at guard, DiPaola’s shown no lack of confidence in letting it fly from deep, her 17 three-pointers tops on the team, while sophomore forward Angelica Kasimatis (8.3 points per game) seems to have taken a cue, sinking a team second-leading 13 threes, with six in the past four games.
“I think (the three-point shooting) is due to a combination of the girls putting in the work and then during the season becoming confident taking those shots,” Catapano said. “Katie is definitely our shooter. When we’ve needed a big shot this year, she’s been able to find it.”
“As far as Angelica goes, she’s taken a huge leadership role as our do-it-all type of kid,” Catapano said of Colts rebound leader Kasimatis (10 per game), now a second-year starter in her third varsity season. “She’s been huge for us on the glass. And she’s someone else we trust when we need a timely shot.”
Healthy after a minutes-limiting early-season illness, senior Lauren Rosario has averaged 13.75 points to lead Calhoun over its past four games. The second-year-starting forward’s rise, alongside eighth-grade point guard Lia Biscardi’s continued acclimation and growing prowess as a distributor, would seem to support Catapano’s case.
“Lauren’s finding a way to help us in transition, helping us score more,” Catapano said.
“Lia kind of had to grow up fast for us,” Catapano said of Biscardi, whose varsity progression was abruptly fast-tracked upon slated starting point guard Julia Kopelman’s preseason injury. “But she loves the process and gets better every week. That’s important for her, but also for the team going forward.”
Senior center Sam Guida, while averaging five points, has been a steady force on the boards for Calhoun, grabbing eight rebounds per game. Since a 54-29 non-league loss at Division Jan. 4, the Colts have actually outscored opponents 197-183 (outlying Glen Cove included).
“We’re a young team with an eighth-grader starting at point guard,” Catapano said. “Everyone’s had to find their way, helping each other. I think this group’s starting to figure it out. Now it’s just about putting together complete games. They’re very motivated to play everybody again.”