Bears Loaded, in the Hunt Again

BREWSTER—After a solid season last winter ended with the Bears playing in the Westchester County Center, the Brewster high girls basketball team has one major goal in mind for the 2009-2010 season: take it one step farther.

Vania Simpri SKIP PEARLMAN The Bears, under veteran coach Doris Schukin, shared the League II-A championship with Lakeland, drew the No. 6 seed in the playoffs, and advanced to the semifinals, where the team lost to Albertus Magnus.

Only one player from last year’s starting lineup graduated—All-Section guard Devon Quattrocchi. But Quattrocchi was injured, and missed the team’s last 10 games.

So Schukin returns the starting five who got the team to the semis last winter, and she says the team can be even better.

“I think we have a lot of returning players with experience,” said Schukin, who enters her 21st season with the team. “We’re still young (Brewster started three freshmen in the semifinal), but I feel good about the team. They know what it takes to get to the County Center, and what it takes to take the next step – which is to play for the championship.”

Schukin said the team will play uptempo, and has worked hard to improve its perimeter shooting, one of the team’s few weaknesses last winter.

“We play very up-tempo,” she said. “And we play tough defense. We like to be a little in-your-face. And offensively we have experience returning to the lineup – we have people who can score. And I think we’ve come a long way with our perimeter shooting, we improved on a weakness.”

Returning from last winter’s staring lineup are senior forward and team captain Vania Simpri, an All-League player. Junior F/G Emily Tapio, an All-Section Honorable Mention selection who led the Bears in scoring (16 PPG) and rebounding, is another team captain. Sophomore guards Lauren Quattrocchi, Marisa Delzio and Lauren Noce also return.

Returning players include senior captain and forward Alyssa D’Ottavio and junior guard Kelly Power.

Joining the Bears varsity this season are sophs Rori Stark (F), Lauren Riley (G) and Christina Graff (G/F), junior Karissa Milano (G) and senior Marcella Guarino (G).

With the talent and experience they have, the Bears have their sights set on getting to the next level. Brewster – in a league this year with Carmel, Mahopac, Yorktown, Lakeland and Panas, will have some stiff competition.

“The goal is to get back to the County Center, for sure,” Schukin said. “And improve on what we did – get to the finals, and further if possible. But even winning the league will be tough. Carmel and Lakeland are tough teams, I think the three of us will battle for the league title – that’s the first goal. And the ultimate goal is the County Center.”

But a lot of things have to happen for Brewster to have a shot at realizing that lofty goal.

“We’ll have to be tough on the defensive end of the court,” Schukin said. “We’ve matured, and we’ve gained experience, so that will help. And we’ve become better perimeter shooters, we’ve really improved on that. So I feel good about the season.

Brewster opens the 2009-2010 campaign at Carmel’s Ronnie Weaver Memorial

Tournament in what should be a thriller, taking on the Rams Friday at 7 p.m. The Bears face Mahopac Saturday at 1pm (tentative) in the friendship tournament format.