Season Preview: Garden City Girls Basketball

The Lady Trojans girls basketball team returns the majority of their lineup from last year's squad, which made it to the state semifinals and won the Long Island Class A championship game over Glenn.

They bring everybody back except their star power forward, Barbara Sullivan, who graduated and will be playing lacrosse at Notre Dame.

"I wasn't sure how our team was going to be without Barbara this season," said head coach Anthony Sparacia. "But so far, at least in a few of our scrimmages, we have looked pretty good, better than I even expected to be honest."

The Lady Trojans bring back senior forward Christina Mangels who was one of the leading rebounders on Long Island last season. She will be a big presence inside the paint and will be asked to handle more of the offensive load after the departure of Sullivan.

Katie Trimmer is back for her third year on the team. The junior forward will be a big factor for Garden City this season driving the ball inside and setting up her teammates.

Senior Jess Stein will look to get the ball to her open teammates at the point guard position. She is also capable of hitting an open jump shot when left alone.

Kim Ryan, who was the leading three-point scorer on Long Island the past two years, will once again be a threat from the outside.

Liz Stutzmann and ninth grader Sam Aurrichio will also be threats on the offensive side of the ball and will be looked upon as role players coming off the bench.

"A lot of these girls are three- and four-year starters and have been around each other and playing together for awhile," said Sparacia. "They have a good chemistry on the court and work well together as a team."

The Lady Trojans head to Syosset High School Friday for a 4:30 p.m. game. Their official conference schedule begins Jan. 5 when they take on Wantagh at home in a 6:45 p.m. game.