Girls basketball at Storm King is a force to be reckoned with this year, and our coaches couldn’t be happier. The varsity squad led by Coach Kristen Barbosa has just defeated the reigning HVAL champions from Oakwood and the talented JV squad is commanding much respect in their matches.
On Wednesday, January 24, the varsity girls played host to the undefeated HVAL champion Oakwood Friends School. Our girls came out firing, controlling play from the opening tip. We scored first and opened a lead that Oakwood was never able to recover from. Led by senior Kakazi Kacyira’s second consecutive double double 12 points and 13 rebounds and junior Cat Zhang who delivered an additional 12 rebounds, coupled with the Perfect Storm defense of Sam McCullough and Shania Roerich, our Cougars delivered a stunning upset victory over Oakwood, 30-22. This was Oakwood’s first HVAL defeat in four years, and Storm King’s first victory against Oakwood in more than seven years.
#14 Shania Roerich driving to the net
Also on Wednesday, the JV girls and Coach Michael Hauser traveled to Poughkeepsie to face the Faith Christian Academy (FCA). The experienced FCA team featured two of its varsity players who combined to score 18 of their 22 points in the first half and jumped out to a big lead. Led by the tenacious defense of team captains Nanuet Leonhardes-Barboza and Eleven Xinyi Zhang, Storm King battled back in the second half but ultimately fell short 34-21. Maria Fedosenkova played her best game since joining SKS. She led all scorers with 18 points including 4 for 6 from the foul line. Solid support from Savannah Buon, Justice Pessoa and Linyin Wang enabled SKS to play FCA even through the second half. First-year players Anna Wickiser and Maddie Mendlewski came off the bench, bringing a spark to the team and an insight into the future talent we can expect in SKS girls’ basketball.
#11 Catherine Zheng getting some pointers from Coach Hauser
Earlier this week on Monday, January 22, the varsity girls hosted the Pterodactyls of Marvelwood School. Our team came out firing, effectively shutting down and dismantling the much-hyped Marvelwood offense, leading 23-4 at the half. The Thunder and Lightning pairing of Shania Roerich and Sam McCullough dominated Marvelwood on every possession, each earning double-digit steals. Our big leaders were Cat Zhang with 11 points and 14 rebounds, and Kakazi Kacyira who notched 14 points and 12 rebounds, the first career double double for each. Marvelwood put on a strong second half effort, but they were never able to catch our girls, who brought home a 49-21 final score.
#11 Sam McCullough going for a three pointer
This week’s action is just a glimpse of the great play and teamwork displayed by both girls’ teams so far this season. Coming up, the varsity girls will face Darrow School on Saturday, January 27 and the JV girls will go for a home win against FCA on Tuesday, January 30. Go Cougars!