Sports
Panthers Vow to Avenge 61-30 Loss to Warriors
The Babylon girls basketball team hopes to have one captain back in uniform next time it faces off against the Wyandanch squad.
The Babylon Panthers had a lot to figure out stepping onto the hardwood at Wyandanch on Tuesday afternoon.
They knew the Warriors had home court advantage.
They knew the Wyandanch girls would be confident coming off of a 70-52 victory against Amityville late last week.
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And they knew that 30 of Wyandanch’s points in that game came from an insistent 5’ 8” forward by the name of Dejanae Mike.
What they didn’t know was how to contain all of those elements without the help of some key players, including the team’s two captains, Julie Piccione and Emerald Vickers, who are both out on injury.
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The Panther’s captains sat helpless on the bench Tuesday. Vickers, wearing her warm-up suit, and Piccione, with her crutches laid neatly next to her chair, watched as their team struggled to put together an offensive plan without the leadership needed on the court.
Coach Chris Ryan took a time out near the end of the second period and instructed the girls not attempt to trade baskets with the Warriors, but rather to “hustle on defense,” and to force the Warriors to turn over the ball without scoring each drive.
Ultimately, Wyandanch’s aggressive approach to the net was too much for the Panther team to handle.
Ryan’s advice may have helped to slow the bleeding, though. The Panthers defense did manage to contain Dejanae Mike to only 15 points.
Babylon’s point guard, Sophomore Emily Funk (six points), tried to lead the team as best she could by controlling the ball on the offensive end and finding good looks to shooters Devyn Antolini (10 points), Mackenzie Vickers (8 points), and Lauren Kaible (2 points).
Yet Babylon just couldn’t match Wyandanch’s consistent scoring drives and the Warriors slipped away with a lead that became unreachable.
Wyandanch’s Alicia Robinson and Lorenza Birt each added 12 points to the Warriors' 61-30 victory.
The teams will meet again this season, but next time it will be on Babylon’s court and perhaps with at least one captain back in the game.
When asked if the Warriors were beatable, Panther Erica Zigon said, “Oh yeah. If we believe in ourselves more and play as a team with more energy, they are definitely beatable. We are going to beat them when they come to play at Babylon.”
Up next for the Panthers is Southhampton at home tomorrow,Thursday, January 20. Game time is 7 p.m.
