Valley Stream South’s boys have a fresh identity, a revamped approach, and a roster eager to define itself.
After finishing 10–10 overall and 5–7 in conference play, head coach Mike O’Brien is guiding a group that, while filled with size and athleticism, remains young, raw, and largely unproven. O’Brien acknowledges it may take some time.
“We have to figure out who we are and go from there,” he said.
Senior captain Jaden Pryce returns as the Falcons’ most decorated player after earning All-Conference honors as a junior, when he averaged 15 points and 8 rebounds. Formerly a forward, Pryce will shift to the wing.
Junior captain Landon Jones, now in his third varsity season, anchors the Falcons at point guard. Known for his poise and efficiency, Jones rarely turns the ball over and consistently makes the right reads. This winter, however, he’ll be asked not only to organize the offense but also to score at a higher volume while continuing to serve as the team’s best on-ball defender.
Senior captain Shane Grant, a 6-foot-4 power forward, brings explosive athleticism and the potential to become a major scoring option. Alongside him, senior guard Milton Ponce is poised for a breakout. After limited minutes last season, Ponce’s shooting ability and relentless work ethic have positioned him for a significantly larger role.
The Falcons also introduce several young pieces expected to contribute immediately. Junior center Sixtus Okorie, an elite shot blocker and dynamic athlete, steps up from JV. Sophomore wings Cory Terry, a long, tenacious defender, and JT Reid, a natural athlete and strong rebounder adjusting to varsity speed, deepen the rotation.
To accelerate development, O’Brien has revamped practices, shifting from drill-heavy sessions to more scrimmage-based work.
“The goal is to get them playing as much as possible at practice,” O’Brien said. “We have more depth which allows us to have much more competitive scrimmages to help have our guys ready to go for the start of the season.”
On the girls side, the Falcons used last season as a true developmental chapter, led by head coach Dominique Serpico, who describes her team as “extremely young, but full of heart.”
With a 2–18 overall record, the results may not yet show it, but the foundation for the program’s future is being built in real time. More than 75 percent of the roster has jumped directly from JV, including seven freshmen and one eighth grader.
Despite the youth movement, Valley Stream South is anchored by two battle-tested seniors. Jessica Dyer and Naima Brown, both four-year varsity players, hold down the power forward and center spots, respectively. Their leadership has been invaluable in guiding such a young roster.
“They’ve set the tone for what we expect,” Serpico said.
At the point, junior Daphne Vives brings limited basketball experience but is attacking the learning curve with determination. Sophomore Zainab Dar, already in her third varsity season, provides a strong bench spark at power forward/center and has shown impressive growth since her freshman year.
Among the newcomers, freshman Adelynn Espinal, who played as an eighth grader, is emerging as one of the team’s most reliable scorers and a natural leader.
Fellow freshmen Aubree Awai, Ava Bonhomme, Leia Charles and Saba Mir add energy, athleticism and steady improvement. Mir’s speed, Charles’s defensive hustle and Awai’s team-first attitude have made them immediate contributors.
Freshman center Mariyah Harrison impresses with her court awareness, consistently finding space and making smart decisions. Gabriela Garay Salazar has shown strong motivation, while point guard Nia Anderson isn’t afraid to shoot and has quickly built chemistry with teammates. The youngest player, eighth-grader Aminata Ba, brings fierce competitiveness, excellent ball control and standout academics.
A challenging conference slate includes defending county and Long Island champion Wantagh, Lynbrook, Plainedge, Mineola, Floral Park and Valley Stream North.
Serpico believes the program is on the right track.
“Regardless of the results, my girls are going to try their hardest and have fun,” she said. “We are excited for the future of this program.”
Dec. 15: Plainedge, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 17: @ Lynbrook, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 20: Mineola, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 9: @ V.S. North, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 13: Floral Park, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 15: Wantagh, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 24: @ Plainedge, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 28: Lynbrook, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 30: @ Mineola, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 6: V.S. North, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 9: @ Floral Park, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 12: @ Wantagh, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 12: @ Plainedge, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 17: Lynbrook, 5:00 p.m.
Dec. 20: @ Mineola, 10:00 a.m.
Jan. 9: @ V.S. North, 6:45 p.m.
Jan. 12: @ Floral Park, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 15: Wantagh, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 24: Plainedge, 11:45 a.m.
Jan. 28: @ Lynbrook, 5:00 p.m.
Jan. 31: @ Mineola, 11:45 a.m.
Feb. 6: V.S. North, 7:00 p.m.
Feb. 9: Floral Park, 5:00 p.m.
Feb. 12: Wantagh, 6:45 p.m.
