Familiarity a key for Vikings

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Seaford girls’ basketball begins a new era this winter with a familiar face.

Stephanie Bartkus is now leading the Viking bench after the retirement of longtime head coach Bob Vachris. Bartkus takes over the program after coaching JV the past four years in addition to also coaching JV volleyball and girls lacrosse. 

“It’s nice because I have had all these girls years ago at some point,” said Bartkus in reference to the multiple sports she has coached at Seaford. “I have had every single one of these girls in one capacity or another so I know the way they work and think and are just going to try to play to their strengths.” 

The Vikings return seven seniors from last year’s 2-4 that was season shortened by Covid-19, but were dealt a blow when starting center Julia Saulpaugh suffered a season-ending ACL tear in October. Alexandra Leggio will now look to fill the void inside left by Saulpaugh along with Jaime Horodecki at forward. Twin sister guards Parker Surace and Brooke Surace are also back to lead the backcourt. 

Junior guard Danielle McHugh is slotted to be starting point guard in her first season on varsity. Senior guards Emma Williamson and Meghan Haug will be taking on key minutes off the bench. Sophomores Amanda Williamson (guard) and Daniella Stek (forward) along with junior Nicole Nietsch (guard) are varsity newcomers who add more athleticism to Seaford’s rotation, which Bartkus said will be given their fast-paced style of play.

Seaford will compete in Conference V, which features Wantagh, North Shore, Clarke, Island Trees and Lawrence. 

“Being in the mix with Wantagh and North Shore for the top three would be awesome and then finding our way into the playoffs by doing that,” Bartkus said. “We will capitalize by how well we know each other on and off the court.”