Thursday, October 1, 2026
The North Shore girls basketball team lost three key starters to its 2024-25 squad that advanced to the Nassau Class A semifinals.
But have no fear. Erin Lily La Rosa still is wearing maroon, back for her senior year in a new position. She's averaging 14 points and 5 rebounds as the Vikings have burst to a 6-3 start – 3-0 in conference.
"She's everything - a defender, she's just a force of nature,'' North Shore head coach Keith Freund said. "Every time she plays, everyone talks about how hard she plays, diving on the floor. bullying her way to the rim, rebounding.''
Despite the youth, the Vikings have a shot at prominence. Last season, they were beaten in overtime by Wantagh in the county semifinals. Wantagh went on to the state finals.
"It's the youngest team we've actually ever had,'' said Freund, who notched his 300th career win on Dec. 17 in an Island Trees rout. "Two eighth graders, three ninth graders and two tenth graders.''
La Rosa isn't worried about the youngsters, especially eighth-grade point-guard sensation, Holly Freund, averaging 9.5 points and 5.5 assists through nine games.
Its 55-33 non-league loss Dec. 22 to powerhouse St. Anthony's was a good test for the youngsters as The Maroon were within two at intermission.
"We're definitely young this year,'' La Rosa said. "But I think the three seniors we have are very good leaders. Our younger girls – with our coaches and captains – we've put a lot of work to instill confidence in them. It doesn't cause us a disadvantage because of how confident they are with the ball.''
The 5-foot-6 La Rosa has moved from power forward to shooting guard after an All-County junior season.
"With Holly as our point guard, she really works well with passing the ball and finding you in the perfect spot,'' La Rosa said. "Having her as a key player on the court allows me to have several opportunities."
Holly Freund is the daughter of the head coach, who seems uncomfortable showering her with plaudits. "She's a pure point guard in the classical sense of the word, sees the court, plays defense, gets everyone involved and is enthusiastic," Keith Freund said when pressed.
The coach prefers to talk about veterans such as senior 5-11 defensive center/leader Sophia Efstathiadis, averaging 5 rebounds. "Any points she gives us is great because her job is to protect the rim, help defense and rebound,'' Freund said.
The Vikings boast two sophomore shooting guards making an impact – Annabella Misiti and Natalie Yoo. Senior captain Cathy Perciballi is a defensive contributor off the bench.
The team's third-leading scorer, Misiti, can shoot the 3 and is a returning starter. "She's a basketball junkie,'' Freund said. "She plays basketball all year round.''
Yoo, last season's Sixth Man, is its best defender. She's improved her 3-ball but Freund says, "Her job is to play lockdown defense and take their best player out of the game.''
Though superstar Sophia Della Ratta graduated, there is hope. Freund is concerned of a lack of size and length but feels they can overcome it. And La Rosa?
"Before the first day of practice, I was a bit iffy,'' La Rosa said. "Seeing our team chemistry grow over the last two weeks, it's really promising.''
