Girls Varsity Basketball Holds Tryouts
Late last week, the familiar sounds of sneakers squeaking and rims clanging filled the Syosset High School gym as varsity tryouts took place for both the boys and girls teams.
While the boy's tryouts proved to be wide open, the girls competed with a little more at stake: Because all five starters from last year's team are returning to the court this season, less open varsity spots were available. While the lack of available spots isn't a welcome sight to some of the fringe players, it ultimately is an advantage.
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"It's a tremendous help because they know the system," Coach Doug Schumacher said of the amount of returning talent. "You get more done in practice and hopefully we'll be able to put more in, in terms of our offensive sets and the defense we will run."
Of the eighteen girls who tried out for the varsity team, thirteen are expected to make the squad. The limited amount of available positions makes the tryout process all that much harder for Schumacher.
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In addition to skill level, the coach said he looks for players who are athletic, and have good court sense and exhibit a positive attitude. Schumacher said he was generally pleased with the way tryouts unfolded.
Syosset Track Athletes Compete at Junior Olympics
Although not connected with the Syosset High School track team, select members of the team competed last weekend in the Junior Olympics in Rhode Island. The team, which included Dale Mittleman, Adam Struhl, Eamon Sheerin, Derick Trinidad, and William Long finished fifth in the event.
The Junior Olympics are comprised of "All-Star" teams from different areas of the region. The top three overall finishers qualify for nationals.
Although the group did not qualify, fan support was high.
"We had about 40 to 45 parents and friends and family watching the races. That was really cool," said Braves coach Bart Sessa.
Boys Indoor Track Begins
Syosset High Schools year round Track and Field program is into its second season. Boys Indoor Track began last week with many of the same stars as the fall season squad.
The quality that distinguishes this season from the two others is the location of the events. While the winter team trains outdoors, meets are held indoors. Three locations will host the majority of the Braves events – Suffolk Community College – Brentwood campus, St. Anthony's High School, and The Armory (where the Syosset team holds a track record), located on 158th street in New York City.
In mid – January, the team will be traveling to Yale University to compete in the annual Yale High School Invitational.
The main difference between outdoor and indoor Track and Field is found in the surface. In the winter, the track is 200 meters long, making some events more difficult.
"Generally, kids who do well outdoors, do well indoors," coach Chris Myers said.
While youth is still the prevailing theme for the Syosset Track program, a few runners stand out.
Sophomore Michael Wilkins figures to be one of the top pole vaulters in Nassau Country. He has set a personal goal of clearing the 13-feet mark.
Alex Bertrand, Tyler Moritz and Kevin Sun will also compete.
"They should have another nice winter season growing in the mile, two mile, and half mile events," Myers said.
