12 SPORTS TOWER/MARCH 8, 2019 Sports Girls’ basketball captures first NYSAIS title the court Saturday afternoon with local rival Hackley School standing Logan Schiciano in their way of a potential finals ap- Sports Page Editor pearance. The semi-finals matinee saw the team get out to a fast start. Mitch Fink Led by junior Noemia Massingue’s Staff Writer aggressive play (11 points in the first-half), Masters was blowing out The girls’ varsity basketball team Hackley at halftime, 42-15. The team finished their season in style, captur- did not let up down the stretch and ing their first NYSAIS championship with a 62-48 win, Masters advanced in program history. The team, which to the NYSAIS Finals. Tatarian and had a regular season record of 14-6, junior Gwenn Sabato pitched in with capped off their playoff run by de- 13 points apiece. Others, including feating Horace Mann School in the eighth grader Dakota Daniello made NYSAIS finals on Feb. 25. an impact as well; she had two bas- Masters was a force in league play kets on the game, and handled the within the FAA, going 8-1 and only ball with care, only committing one losing a thriller against St. Luke’s turnover. School on Jan. 29. St. Luke’s, who With the stakes high, the girls, finished atop the FAA standings, accompanied by a riled-up crowd of went on to win the FAA Champion- Masters students and faculty, made ship. Masters, however, took a differ- their way into the gym at Ethical ent route and entered the NYSAIS Culture of Fieldston School to con- playoffs as the No. 2 seed. tend for the NYSAIS championship After a bye in the opening round, against the No. 1 Horace Mann the girls began their quest for NY- School team. This was the second SAIS glory against Portledge School year in a row Masters had reached on Friday, Feb. 22. The Panthers, the finals, losing last season to Dal- the second overall seed in the tour- ton School. nament, dominated on the defensive The Panthers, who were defeat- end by creating turnovers, enroute ed by the Horace Mann Lions ear- to a 74-40 blowout victory. Senior lier this season, got out to a slow

Kendra Cooper-Smith led the way start, falling behind 9-2, though they VINCENT ALBAN/TOWER recording 24 points and was honored would get it together behind strong THE GIRLS’ VARSITY BASKETBALL team celebrates the historic victory after defeating Horace Mann School in the NYSAIS after the game along with fellow se- play from Tatarian, who propelled championship game. The team, led by head coach Nick Volchok (left), defeated Portledge School and Hackley School to get niors Emily Brieant and manager the Panthers to a 17-0 run midway Madison Stewart on Senior Night. through the first quarter. “We went Sophomore Brooke Tatarian also down, but we didn’t let our emotions The team never looked back as the the court and surrounded the players dedication and lots of hard work,” pitched in with 23 points, many of get to us. We turned it around, got adrenaline of the moment sparked in celebration of a 65-49 victory and she said. which came via the three point shot. the momentum, and our shooting great intensity on both ends of the a NYSAIS championship. The victory was the perfect end Tatarian had been strong all season, was on fire. Next thing you know, we court. Sabato led the way with 22 Team captain Cooper-Smith, who to an incredible run, and a fantastic scoring 421 total points and earning looked up at the scoreboard and we points, most of which came in the was appreciative of all the support cap to what has been an action-filled LoHud Player of the Week honors in were up ten points,” said sophomore second half, and Tatarian poured in the team received, explained how the winter season. “We finally did it,” Ko- December. Allie Koziarz, Masters’ starting point 17 as well. When the final buzzer team was able to win the title. “We ziarz said. The Panthers got right back on guard. sounded, Masters students stormed couldn’t have gotten this far without Golf team prepares for spring training trip Track teams strive for PRs

With no captain chosen yet, the golf is really an individual experi- goal of winning the Fairchester Athlet- Michelle Wei members are focused on “account- ence, navigating the complicated Joseph Goldstien ic Association championship in Track Opinion Design Editor ability” for themselves and for oth- rules of golf with a team is helpful Lead Opinion Editor and Field. Although, Ferrando made a ers, Lockhart said. To junior member because he has someone else to look point to emphasize that accomplishing Head Coach and Director of Tech- Michael VanDemark, that means at the situation. VanDemark also Masters’ boys’ and girls’ track and that goal is “going to take everyone’s nology Bhavin Patel and the stu- that everyone is responsible and appreciates feedback the team pro- field teams are looking to build on the commitment, time and effort.” dent-athletes on Masters’ varsity self-motivated. vides, and the team dynamic helps record-breaking winter season of the After the respective departures of golf team are all looking forward to “In golf, your main opponent motivate him. indoor track team. According to senior former coaches Jam Shakwi and Ford a successful spring season which will is yourself so it’s really just about Patel hopes this season will con- Luke Ferrando, the focus is specifically Palmer, head coach Kenyetta Iyebele begin with a trip to Orlando, Fla.. self-improvement,” Lockhart said. sist of teamwork and cohesive team on increasing participation. will be joined by fellow Hoka NY-NJ The annual trip will occur during chemistry. While the squad lost The team’s growth can be attribut- Track Club teammates Stephanie the second week of spring break for members John Kinsley ‘18 and Jake ed to the indoor track team’s success Vanpelt, Chris Giesting and Isaac Up- four days and is intended to help “In golf, your main opponent is Barnett ‘18, who both graduated last over this past winter. Ferrando, along dike to round out Masters’ 2018-19 the team prepare for the upcoming yourself, so it’s really just about self year, there’s also some new talent, with senior Vittorio Stropoli and ju- track and field coaching staff. season by practicing, watching and improvement.” with eighth grader Jonathan Oakes niors Dorian Gilmartin and Judah The new coaches should help the bonding over the sport. The trip has joining the team. Francella, broke the Masters record team’s progress, who Ferrando de- varied in the past, but it always in- - Alexander Lockhart ‘19 Oakes has been golfing since he for the 4x200 meter event at the NY- scribed as “really nice and encourag- cludes spectating one professional was four, and currently golfs year SAIS Indoor Track Championship on ing coaches who know what they’re do- golf tournament, this year’s compe“- Lockhart’s sentiment is reflected -round. He and Lockhart go to the Feb. 21. ing.” However, one struggle the team tition being the Valspar tournament. in his off-season conditioning for the same country club in Ardsley to prac- “More kids want to do track now has often faced in previous years is Because he is the only senior on sport; in summer, he plays five days tice and Oakes participated in over after we had such a successful indoor accommodating everyone’s skill level this year’s team, Alexander Lock- a week. In fall, Lockhart participates 20 tournaments with the Metropoli- season,” Ferrando said. The team’s as many Masters students must join hart is prepared to take on more of a in the golf co-curricular, then he tan Professional Golfers’ Association physical growth should allow them sports teams to fulfill the Athletic leadership role and become more of a transitions to playing indoors once junior tour during the summer of to become more competitive during Curriculum Requirement. Ferrando role model. Regarding watching past or twice a week once November hits, 2018. For his first season with Mas- meets this season. mentioned that while all the coaches professional golf tournaments, Lock- and through winter. Junior team ters’ team, Oakes is most looking for- Ferrando has high expectations are understanding of each athlete’s hart said, “It was really different to member Sebastian Sawhney, who ward to exploring the different cours- for the team and for himself. He is capabilities, they are able to “focus on watch the pros play and see what has been golfing for six years, also es in the area for more experience. looking to set a number of school and kids who take it seriously while also type of mindset they maintain. This strengthens and stretches his mus- Patel said he hopes that with the personal records (PRs) in events, in- helping the other kids improve and get year we’re really focusing on playing cles all year to stay flexible for the new talent on the team, the goal is to cluding breaking “both the 400 meter through their workouts.” more golf. I’m focused on developin- season. win half of the head-to-head matches record and the 800 meter record for the Masters’ track and field’s first meet my mindset for the season.” According to Sawhney, although the team will play. school.” Ferrando is also looking for will be at home on Greene Field against the team to perform well, setting the Riverdale Country School on Apr. 2. Boys’ volleyball bumps-up expectations such players to hone-in on their skills. squad in the NYSAIS final last year. Amita Khurana “We have a really young team; [the “We’re trying to improve on last year’s Lead Features Editor new players] all have a lot of poten- season by hopefully winning NYSAIS tial. Just in the first three trainings, this year,” senior starter Youssef Aly After placing second in the New it was evident that all the young kids said. Likewise, senior captain Fritz York City Athletic League (NYCAL) are going to get so much better.” Goro- Pingel is excited to see the hard work and the New York State Association detsky said. of the team pay off. of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) Freshman player and girls’ varsi- “Judging from the few practices tournaments, respectively, during the ty volleyball manager Caleb Jakes is we’ve had so far, our team looks very spring 2018 season, the boys’ varsity anxious to improve his skills on the good. It doesn’t matter what other volleyball team is ready to put their court. “Even though we haven’t had teams are doing as long as we are put- best foot forward to win the champi- any games yet, we’ve started to build ting in work. We will have a shot to onship this year. a community between each other. We win every game,” Pingel said. Coached by Chanel Flowers and already have a team pact and I think The boys’ varsity volleyball team Kaina Bazard, the team has lost that’s really important to have a re- will kick off their 2018-19 season with many key players this year such as lationship with the other teammates,” three matches on the road, starting on VINCENT ALBAN/TOWER August DuBeau ‘18, Jaiden Feliciano Jakes said. Apr. 2 at the United Nations Interna- SENIOR ALEXANDER LOCKHART AND eighth grader Jonathan Oakes prac- ‘18 and Diego Medina ‘18, leaving sev- With seven other teams in the NY- tional School. The squad will look to tice putting. Both players have a great deal of experience in the game; over eral spots open for new players to join SAIS league, the squad’s biggest con- get its NYSAIS final revenge against the summer, Lockhart practiced or played five times a week, while Oakes the sport. Senior captain Noel Goro- cern is The Calhoun School, the team the Calhoun Cougars when the team competed in over 20 tournaments on the MET PGA Junior Tour. detsky sees this as an opportunity for that defeated Masters’ volleyball holds its first home match on Apr. 12.