GIRLS BASKETBALL
Lady Knights Prepare For Battle On Court
Team seeks to build on undefeated 2010-11 season, add more postseason hardware
By Danny Schrafel/ dschrafel@longislandernews.com

TAs he would tell it, John Glenn girls varsity basketball coach Andy Athanas is a fortunate man.

Although the Lady Knights, who went undefeated last season en route to a county championship, graduated their four top players, the strong core of the team remains intact. Despite a run of nine league championships since 2001, Athanas, who has coached the Lady Knights for 26 years, remains modest about his influence on their success.

“It’s not me, believe me,” he said. “I’ve lucked into a run of, and it happens to be big girls, for 11 years… We’ve had a really terrific run. I’ve had great kids.”

The girls seem to have bounced back well from a disappointing end to a great season, which saw them falling to Garden City in the Long Island Class A Finals and Center Moriches in the Small Schools final. They’re poised to go just as far as last season, if not farther.

“We are very fast. We play a fast game although we still play a half-court game because that’s what I like to do,” Athanas said. “We were No. 3 in defense in Suffolk County last year, and I think we’re better this year defensively.”

“This year, we’re definitely playing smarter, playing as a team,” junior guard Emma Klis said.

The towering figure of the team remains 6-foot-2 Allison McKenna, who, Athanas said, is “probably the best big kid in Suffolk County.”

“It’s unusual to have a player that tall, and it’s doubly unusual to have a kid that can do what Allison can do,” he said. “She has very nice skills – she is an outstanding player.”

A great deal of the team’s strategy is centered on setting up the court so McKenna can be a dominant figure, and on complementing her with strong outside shooting. Klis’ 3-point shot, McKenna said, is something to look out for.

But her height and talent can make McKenna a target for other teams as they try to shut her down or get her into foul trouble. That extra attention, she and Athanas agreed, can be turned into an advantage.

“She has good vision to see when she’s doubled [if] someone else is open,” the coach said. “Even if she’s not scoring, getting it in to her is an advantage for us.”
“Sometimes teams double-team us, but that only makes it easier for our guards to get open looks and use that to our advantage,” McKenna said.

McKenna’s mere presence, sophomore point guard Mackenzie Sivilli said, could be enough to psych out opposing players.

“It’s probably intimidating for the other team to walk into the gym and see her, so much taller than everybody,” she said.

Klis said the team would be working harder than ever on rebounding, especially since Monica Eugene, a rebounding powerhouse last season, graduated. They’ll also be taking advantage of Sivilli’s ability to traverse tough defenders on the floor, MJ Sivilli’s agility and tenacity, and Rachel Miller’s strong rebounding.

And watch out for young Tanna Mohammed, who Athanas has pegged as a rising star for the Lady Knights.

“She’s going to be a terrific player, and she’s only a freshman,” Athanas said.
The Knights will take the court against Commack at home in non-league competition on Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.