Injuries keep mounting for Elmont girls’ basketball, but the Spartans rode the strong two-way play of senior guard Kaitlyn Paulino and a pair of recent additions to a 61-41 victory at Hewlett Saturday morning in a Nassau Conference AA-II matchup.
Paulino, who finished with a team-high 18 points, capped a 10-point run early in the third quarter to stretch Elmont’s lead after the Bulldogs closed within a point on sophomore Mia Koloden’s basket to begin the second half.
Eighth-graders Madison Edwards (16) and Madison Calvin came off the bench to combine for 27 points for Elmont (7-4 overall, 4-2 in AA-II), which was missing four starters including senior standout Charlotte Hines.
“There’s extra pressure with all of the key players missing, but we have to stay focused and we’ve had other girls step up,” Paulino said. “We have high aspirations and we’re trying to stay positive and work hard in practice. We want to go far in the playoffs.”
Koloden poured in a game-high 20 points for Hewlett (1-10, 0-7) and junior Kayla Owens added 10.
“The effort is there every game and we’ve added some wrinkles on defense that’s help us stay close,” Bulldogs head coach Alex Pallatto said. “We need to improve on turnovers and rebounding. We haven’t been able to rebound an opponent yet. In a difficult conference like this, you don’t want to give the other team extra possessions.”
Hewlett, which got three-pointers from senior Rachel Cafaro and junior Guiliana Oliviero in the second quarter, hung tough until the Spartans hit the gas in the third.
Elmont head coach Pete Lawson, already without the services of Hines (knee), fellow seniors Kyla Moore (ankle) and Kayla Latiff (finger), and junior Samaya Jeffers (finger), was relieved to see sophomore Carrington Barrett miss only a few minutes of action after getting fouled hard during the 19-9 third quarter.
“I was holding my breath,” Lawson said. “It’s been one thing after another. It’s nice to see that we’re hanging in and everyone is picking up some slack, but hopefully we can get healthy soon.”
Hines suffered a knee injury in the second half of Elmont’s 52-50 defeat at Division Jan. 8 and is awaiting MRI results. She had 18 points in that game and averages 15. “Very concerned,” Lawson said. “Charlotte is an All-County player and one of our leaders.”
Senior Sharon Na’anmiap is another reason the Spartans are staying in contention. She enjoyed a strong third quarter at Hewlett, chipping in a three-pointer and a putback. Owens had a traditional three-point play to close the quarter, but the Bulldogs were down 13 entering the fourth.
Paulino, who also had 5 steals and 5 rebounds, scored each of Elmont’s first three baskets in the final quarter to help it pull away. She’s averaging 12 points per game and has been its driving force, Lawson said.
“Katelyn is our glue,” he noted. “She’s been there for us every game and every practice. She scores consistently and guards the best opposing player.”
