Somers Basketball Previews
See Photos v John Jay - Varsity and JV
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Somers Basketball Ready to Rebound from Last Year with Energy
The 2024-25 girls basketball season didn’t return a lot of wins last year and the attempt to turn around the ship maybe isn’t such a great place to be. But new Coach Kevin Rogers disagrees.
“I’m very excited for the opportunity. Somers is a great school. We have a great group of girls. They’ve started off the season very energetic, and I’m looking forward,” he said.
Up first in the backcourt, Ashley Kuchinsky returns for her third year on varsity. “She’s stepping up from the sophomore underclass to a leadership role,” said Rogers.
Alongside, Elana Contreras brings a year of experience to her sophomore season, and the guard is making sure there’s no jinx. “Elana has made so much progress since last year. She had a great freshman season and hasn’t settled,” said Rogers. “She has stayed hungry to get better, and I think she’s going to have a phenomenal season.”
One element has remained status quo, though, and that’s bad news for opponents. “In school and everywhere else, she’s always smiling and happy,” joked Rogers. “But when she gets into game mode, her face turns serious, and you don’t want to mess with her.”
Maybe less intimidating in terms of game face, it would be a mistake to judge Shea Mullins by her cover. “She had a great JV season last year as an eighth grader, and stepping up, she handles the ball and is a good shooter,” said Rogers
Smart and getting better everyday, Mullins should easily be able to find Kacey McCullough in the middle, while Emma Flores and Erin O'Brien play wing women to their center.
Not done, Caitlyn Mayfield and Mia Paulmeno are returning after missing last season, but no matter the new or old look, the goal is straight. At practice, scrimmages or games, concluded Rogers, “Just try winning everyday.”
Somers Boys Basketball Aims to Build off Yesterday
Last year Somers did not have a successful season in the win column. Only three, there were still a lot of close games. “We definitely fought,” said Coach James Loughran. But the record still speaks and has not been put aside.
“What this off season proved was a lot of guys became motivated off a three win season,” he said. “It’s propelled us and found a lot of leadership.”
At the guards, Nico Quinones and Leo Keimig are returning and Julian Rosa, Arman Rao and James Brinn will diversify between the front and back court.
Phil Santore’s shooting eye having left the building, though, Loughran hopes to have Keimig pick up some of the slack. “He’s expanded his shot by working in the off season,” said Loughran, while showing improvement in all other aspects.”
In the middle, Chris Decker has yet to shed the blonde hair from football season, and even though he’s a little undersized, the defensive tackle will be able to keep up, according to the coach. “If we know anything about section one, you don’t have to have tremendous size,” he clarified.
Either way, the way to make up the difference doesn’t linger from the gridiron. “We’re preaching physicality,” said Loughran.
A role James Brinn will step right in from his physical play on the soccer field, and Loughran expects the style will rub off. “He’s our go to motivator,” he said.
Up in allegiance, the defense will follow suit. “A lot of what we are working on is man to man, run, jump and trap,” he said. “So you’ll see a mix of zone, press and full court man to man.
Speeding up the game with athleticism, the only slow down puts aside the long view. “we’ve been telling the guys, just do better than yesterday,” he concluded.
Girls Basketball v Mahopac
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Varsity Pics v John Jay
JV Photos
Peekskill Girls Basketball Preseason Photos
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Somers Opens Season with Milestone Victory
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