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Sports

Girls Basketball: New Hyde Park 2012 Preview

Gladiators will look to beat teams this season with their quick point guards and deep bench.

The  girls basketball team returns with some strong players to this season's lineup, but will miss the presence of two of their leading rebounders and point scorers from last year: Ciara McCullagh and Maria Katsoulis.

"They were the heart and soul of our team," said NHP Coach Hugh Flaherty of the 6-foot-1 McCullagh and 5-foot-10 Katsoulis. "They made such a difference for us inside the paint with their size and strength and the ability to grab rebounds."

The duo helped the Gladiators achieve a 9-4 conference record and a trip to the playoffs.

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Returning Players:

KRISTEN KORZEVINSKI: The 5-foot-9 senior point guard will help lead the Lady Gladiators offense this season. She returns to the team after spending last year at Holy Trinity High School.

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VICTORIA LOFARO: Lofaro is a returning Senior who will play in the guard position. She will look to use her height as the teams tallest player standing at 5'10.

LAILA CHADLI: Chadli is one of three Freshman on the team. She will play the role of small forward.

Melissa Mastoridis and junior Shelby Platia will round out the starting five for the Lady Gladiators.

Departing players:

CIARA MCCULLAGH: McCullagh's big 6-foot-1 frame will be sorely missed on the court this season. She led the team in rebounds and blocked shots and she will be hard to replace.

MARIA KATSOULIS: Katsoulis was a speedy guard who used her athleticism and quickness to get to the basket.

LEXi PEVERARO: The guard was one of the teams top assist leaders getting the ball inside to her teammates.

Expectations:

Coach Flaherty believes his team will realistically finish somewhere between third and fourth place in a tough Conference 1.

"We will probably play man to man defense this season because of our size," said Flaherty. "We will constantly be pressing and will be much more of a running team."

He said that the addition of Holy Trinity transfer, Kristen Korzevinski will be a big asset for the Lady Gladiators.

"She is a solid player who will help lead us on the court. I think our team will be better as a whole group this season."

First game:

The Gladiators will start their season off in a Dec. 6 game against Sacred Heart Academy in the annual SouthSide Tournament at South Side High School. On Dec. 7 they will play against Valley Stream Central.

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