2010-11 Preview: Sachem North Girls Basketball

Every game's important; the Sachem North girls basketball team is well-schooled in that train of thought. A season ago, the Flaming Arrows needed a victory in their season finale at Whitman to qualify for the playoffs. They fell short, a year after clearing the .500 mark by a couple games. This winter, Sachem hopes that its returning corps, led by three returning starters, can come together with the up-and-comers to make another run at the postseason.

2009-10 Record: 8-9, 5-7 League II

Head Coach: Jim Mellor (4th year)

Key Players:

• Erin McNulty, Jr., 5-9, G/F: While she wasn't the first option on offense in her first two seasons in the Arrows starting lineup, she'll have to be among the team's leaders this season as she assumes a tri-captain role this winter. McNulty brings non-stop energy to the floor on both ends, and her athleticism alone makes her a difficult defensive assignment for the opposition. She'll score off turnovers and in running the floor, but it's vital she takes on more responsibilities in the half court. Mellor says she'll see time everywhere from point guard to center.

• Danielle Levine, Soph., 5-10, G/F: Levine started as a freshman and, like McNulty, will be relied on to do a little bit of everything. She'll have to reach double figures more often than not as Sachem needs a boost on offense with key players graduating. Levine's height and wingspan make her a force underneath, but she can also slash and finish around the rim. Levine played mostly power forward; however, she's also shown the ability to put the ball on the floor.

• Colleen McNeece, Sr., 5-8, F: Mellor calls McNeece "the best pure shooter on the team." She was a part-time starter at shooting guard as a junior; among her performances was a 16-point effort in Sachem's overtime loss to Central Islip last January. Like Levine, she plays hoops year round, and her leadership will come in handy as North looks to bring along its young talent.

Key Losses:

• Nicole Caggiano, G – four-year All-League selection, two-year All-County selection; playing basketball at Queens College
• Sara Rizik, PF

Key Games:

• Vs. Patchogue-Medford, Wednesday, Dec. 8 (6pm)
• Vs. Central Islip, Thursday, Jan. 20 (6pm)
• Vs. Connetquot, Tuesday, Feb. 8 (6:15pm)

Expectations: "We're looking to make the playoffs, as we do every year," Mellor said. "We need to get to .500; we missed it by one game last year. It will be difficult, but that's what our expectations are – to reach the playoffs."

News & Notes: As far as x-factors go, Mellor said "we need to get a little tougher and take a little bit more pride in not letting people get second opportunities." … The Central Islip series is one to watch this season. The teams split last year's home-and-home, with North grabbing a 59-57 win at CI and the Musketeers returning the favor a month later, winning 64-62 on a buzzer beater. … Lindenhurst, which finished in the middle of the pack in '09-10, has moved up to League I, and League II has brought in West Islip and Half Hollow Hills East. West Islip took second behind unbeaten North Babylon in League III. …

With just three seniors on the team, North is a shade on the young side. It will count on its JV call-ups, including sharpshooting Brooke Foltman, to pitch in immediately. … The magic number is 50 in the scoring column for North; the Flaming Arrows were 6-1 when they hit 50 last year, hitting for a season-best 68 in avenging an earlier loss to Connetquot.