Cyclones have potential to go far

It’s been a long time since South Side wasn’t involved in the postseason dance and this winter shouldn’t be any different based on its talent, depth and experience.  

The Cyclones, 5-1 last season, reached the Class A quarterfinals the last time Nassau conducted playoffs in 2019-2020 and have been perennial contenders for a conference title during head coach Dan Ferrick’s tenure.

Leading the way in Ferrick’s seventh season at the helm are senior guards Bridget Basile and Maggie Long. Both have All-County campaigns under their belts.

Basile is a returning captain who led the team in scoring down the stretch of its last playoff run. “She’s probably the most improved player I’ve had from their freshman to senior years,” Ferrick said of Basile, who has perimeter shooting range and a strong defensive presence. The 5-foot-10 Long, a D1 lacrosse recruit, is expected to rejoin the team in January and can make things happen anywhere on the court. “Maggie does everything well and makes everyone else around her better,” Ferrick said of Long, who scored 22 in a victory over Division.

Senior Emily Iacobellis is another proven guard with versatility. She has shooting range and the ability to drive, Ferrick noted, and also serves as a defensive stopper. She was Honorable Mention All-County last season.

Additional weapons in the backcourt are sophomores Dakota Evans and Kyla Murphy. Evans thrived off the bench as a tremendous shooter last winter on the way to earning All-Conference honors. Freshman Charlotte Rathjen is athletic, quick and tall and can play guard or forward.

As for true forwards, South Side has senior Ava Doreste, who can rebound and worked hard on developing her shooting touch during the offseason, and 6-footers Amanda Waiters, a senior, and Ava Kelly, a junior.

On paper, the Cyclones’ biggest hurdles to a conference crown are Hewlett, Manhasset and revamped Kennedy.