Mepham Girls Basketball Looking for Second Straight Conference Title

Mepham girls basketball has built up quite the reputation over the last few seasons after finishing with a 16-3 overall record in 2010. 

After a first round win over Hicksville, the Lady Pirates had their season cut short with a loss to MacArthur in the next round. In 2011, the girls will look to take their season a step further.

The Lady Pirates claimed the Conference AA-III championship last season, their second conference title in the past three seasons under eighth-year head coach Jim Mulvey. A key to the stellar team record is the immense success on their home court, where the girls went undefeated last year.

“Returning two All-County players, we are expected to be right back in the mix for a conference championship and maybe further in the playoffs,” Mulvey said. “This year, we want to press a little bit and play more man-to-man than we ever have on defense.”

Another large part to the Mepham success has been senior Kristen O’Brien, who finished as one of the top scorers in Nassau County in 2010. The three-time All-County O’Brien was named the Conference III Player of the Year after her performance last season and is looking to lead the team to another successful campaign.

“We are really dynamic this year. Teams look at us and we look pretty guard heavy, but we have a lot of shooters and people who can drive and dish, so we are pretty versatile,” said O’Brien, who recently received a scholarship to play Division II basketball at Adelphi next year.

Junior Nicole Castaldo, who will serve as co-captain for the Lady Pirates along with O’Brien, is coming off of an All-County season as well. She represents an exceptional junior class, along with Mary Galgano, Samantha Hismeh and Christina Riebl, that will serve as the foundation for Mepham basketball in years to come.

“We are not a big team again this year, so we’ll be looking for some fast breaks and I think we should do pretty well this year,” Castaldo said.

Complementing the experienced players are a promising underclassmen group that includes the likes of freshman Megan Anderson and eighth grader Ally Murphy.

Mepham will battle with Elmont, Herricks and Westbury for a chance at a second straight conference title this year. Other league opponents include Long Beach, Carey, Great Neck South and district rival Kennedy.

Mepham will open up its season this weekend at the Hicksville Sports Boosters Tournament. The Lady Pirates open up with a game against Roslyn on Saturday, and if they come out a winner, they will play either Hicksville or Plainedge in the championship. Mepham is the defending champion of the tournament.

“We want to get a feel for what we are and what we are going to do. We need to establish ourselves and get a couple of wins under our belt to start,” Mulvey added.

For complete schedule information for the 2011-12 Mepham Lady Pirates, visit the Nassau Boces Athletics page.