Thursday, October 1, 2026
Making a big playoff push would be all gravy for the Farmingdale girls basketball team.
Yes, the Dalers will fight for a playoff seed in the rugged AAA-1 as they have weaved a .500 record (6-6 overall, 4-4 conference).
But the future has never looked more promising. The Green only has one senior on the squad – a role player – and are led by budding stars, sophomore point guard Izzy Aristy, freshman Molly McNamara and defensive specialist, junior Regan O'Connor.
"It's good we have a young group,'' said Aristy, averaging 12 points and 5 assists. "We have many years and seasons to work together and build strong connections and get to know how each other plays. It helps our chemistry.''
There will be bumps along the road. Last Friday, Farmingdale fell to .500 record after a loss to perennial power Baldwin, the defending state AA champion back in AAA.
"In my opinion, we're in the toughest league in Nassau County,'' Stein said. "It's a 14-team league with a lot of good teams in it. Every other conference is six, seven teams and get to play each other twice. If you have a team not so wonderful, you get to play them twice. We don't have that luxury. It's tough sledding but to keep our heads above water as young as we are, it's definitely positive.''
Last season, Farmingdale snuck into the playoffs but suffered a first-round defeat to Freeport.
The reason there is hope for another playoff berth is how Farmingdale overwhelmed its arch rival, Uniondale, Dec. 17, 70-38. "That's always a pivotal swing game," Stein said. "Fighting for the 6,7, 8 (playoff) spot, it's a big victory.''
McNamara, whom Stein lauds as his most coachable player, logged 20 points with 14 rebounds. She's averaging a double-double (16 and 11).
Aristy scored14 with 6 assists. "Izzy she controlled the entire pace of the game,'' Stein said.
"We came out strong with an urge to want to win,'' Aristy said. "Our defense was amazing and that allowed us to score easy baskets.''
Aristy has college basketball on the radar. "The key to my success as a point guard is to hold my own and be confident bringing up the ball, especially against strong defenses having to get past,'' Aristy said. "Having a good team helps me.''
The defense is led by O'Connor, averaging 8 points and 5 steals. She guards the opponent's top scorer. The lone senior, Gianna Racine, only came out for basketball this season and has been a huge surprise as an athletic piece off the bench. Stein wishes she had played for the team sooner.
Farmingdale will need to win three of its final five conference games to reach the postseason. "They're all big,'' Stein said. "When you're at the 500 mark they're all big games. A win, you're one step closer to the playoffs or a loss, you're one step further from the playoffs.''
And if there's no playoffs? "We're going to have the same crew for a bunch of years,'' Stein said. "You'll really see the difference.''
