Underdogs Run With the Alpha Females

The Half Hollow Hills High School East girls’ basketball team was not expected to win its first playoff game. It was assumed that the players wouldn’t even make the playoffs – they hadn’t in about 10 years, their coach said. This season however, the team proved everyone wrong.

Going into the year, Hills East had its disadvantages. The team is small, young and their tallest player is only 5-feet 8-inches tall. The girls only won four games last season and had to adapt to a new coach this year. They may have had everything working against them, but that didn’t stop the girls from beating the odds.

By the time Hills East versed Northport High School on February 10, they had already doubled the number of wins they had all of last season. That game would determine whether or not they would move on to the playoffs. Northport is ranked one of the best girls basketball teams in Suffolk County and despite Hills East’s improved record, beating them seemed like a long shot. In an incredible game, Hills East upset Northport that day with a score of 35-34.

“That was a shocker,” coach Chick Hamm said. “That was a big game for us.”

Hills East had finally made the playoffs, but their run wasn’t over yet.

The girls had their first playoff game on February 17 against Smithtown West. Defending their home court, Hills East won the game and proved they could keep up with the top teams in the county. “It’s been a very successful year,” the coach proudly said.

Providing the power behind the team are All-County players Julia Gneiser, a sophomore, and Ashley Walker, a junior. Gneiser averaged 15 points a game and Walker averaged 14 points.

The two captains, Gabby Malholtra and Gabby Dimondis, are the only seniors on the team. Their coach said that they provided excellent leadership, especially as they played the same position. Together, they averaged 10 points a game. Both captains were also awarded with a Suffolk County athletic and academic award for their work on the court and in the classroom.

Also starting this year were freshmen Krisitn Mckenzie and Danny Lulley, who are proving to be players to watch out for in the coming years.

“I tell them it’s a bout respect. Even if you don’t beat them, to walk out with respect of other team. As long as you’re playing hard and not giving up, then I’m happy,” Hamm said he tells his players.

Hills East eventually fell to top-seed Smithtown East on February 20, but no one can question that the girls are now a team to be reckoned with.

“When we started out, we didn’t know how to win. There were girls on the team that has been playing varsity and never won a game. This changed all of that. Now they know what it feels like to win,” Hamm said.