Despite Losses, Gaels Keep Positive Outlook

SOMERS—Even though they lost two of their first three games the Kennedy Catholic High School girls basketball team is feeling pretty good about where they are. The Gaels opened their season with narrow

to Hendrick Hudson and Carmel, bookending a comfortable victory over Mahopac. All games were non-league match ups, with the games against Carmel and Mahopac as part of a tournament hosted by Carmel.

Heading into their game against Carmel, the Gaels hoped to hold down the Rams’ potent offense.

“Our game plan was to take it to Brittany Horne, try and get her in foul trouble and contain the guards,” said coach Al Morales. “We were successful in getting Horne into foul trouble, however Lauren Tracy and Alexa Mancusso both sat on the bench the second quarter with foul trouble.”

With Tracy and Mancusso both on the bench, the Rams outscored the Gaels 14-5 on their way to a narrow 38-35 victory. Tracy finished the game with 13 rebounds, but was held to just three points, while senior Allison Santini led the Gaels with 12 points to go with her nine rebounds.

“We held them to 38 points, with only six turnovers,” said Morales. “On paper you’re supposed to win that game. We just didn’t convert our shots down low, we missed a lot of easy buckets down low. There was no excuse on the offensive end, our bigs just didn’t have a good night shooting wise.”

Even though the offense wasn’t clicking, Morales liked the defensive effort his team gave.

“Carmel is the best offensive team we’ve played so far, and we held them to 38 points,” said Morales. “I don’t think it was by luck. It was hard work on the defensive end.”

The defensive effort was highlighted by senior captain Lauren Foti, who was charged with the difficult task of guarding Horne.

In their game against Mahopac, the Gaels took control early on and cruised, 54-28, for their first win of the year.

“We had a very good night,” said Morales. “We were able to capitalize from the beginning, and played very well. Got everybody in in the first half, and was able to rest my starters in the fourth quarter.”

Once again Santini led the Gaels in scoring, this time with 14 points and nine rebounds. Tracy picked up a double-double, chipping in 12 points and pulling down 10 rebounds, while senior Amanda Viteretti finished with 10 points and seven assists. Both Santini and Tracy were named to the all tournament team.

The Gaels opened their season with a 46-49 overtime loss to Hendrick Hudson.

In a back and forth game, the Gaels were trailing late in the fourth quarter when Tracy scored two of her 10 points on a short jumper to tie the game. To go along with her 10 points, Tracy came up one steal shy of a triple-double, finishing with 15 rebounds and nine steals. “She was our go-to player inside,” said Morales. “She’s our senior captain, she kind of put the team on her back for the first game.”

But Tracy’s effort wouldn’t be enough, as the Sailors made their free throws in overtime, outscoring the Gaels 10-7 to leave with the win.

In addition to Tracy’s strong play, the Gaels received a boost from junior Natalie Candarelli who came in off the bench and led the team with 15 points, including a trio of three-pointers to spark a bit of a comeback as the Gaels began to fall behind.

“Natalie came off the bench to score fifteen points,” said Morales. “We were down by six or seven and she came in and sparked the offense.”

With the first week of the season behind him, Morales is looking ahead to the upcoming league games.

“I told the girls that we’re gonna use it as character builder and we did a good job against a good team,” said Morales. “Keep in mind it’s nonleague play, that’s what this is supposed to do. Supposed to prepare us for the league. Keep working hard, and when you’re doing that it’s gonna click, just keep working hard.”

The Gaels’ next game is on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in a tournament game at Somers High School.