Issue II - East Meadow School District

16JANURARY 2011Catching up with Coach LeSeurCourtesy of Michael GanciLady Jets BasketballUpdateWith a record of 5-4 the girls varsityhoops team is right in the thick of the packas they battle fora playoff spot.A 35-29 nonleaguewin atLong Beach included16 pointsfrom senior MelissaCohen. Aftera tough lossto conferencefoe Herricks theladies defeatedPort Washingtonon Monday42-34. MelissaCourtesy of East Meadow PatchBethany LeSueur is a business teacherhere at East Meadow High School. Sheplayed basketball for Garden City HighSchool, where she was a two time GatoradePlayer of the Year in New York, andset the LI scoring record. She played forthe University of Virginia before she transferredto Georgetown. She is currently thecoach of the Girls Varsity team here. I hada chance to sit down with her and ask hersome questions.JG:What got you into basketball as akid?BL: Kids on my block played. Also,my mom was a swimmer, and while sheswam I played with the water b-ball hoop.JG: How did you end up at Georgetown?BL: It’s a very good school, and theBig East is a great conference, so I thoughtI should play in it. Also a former teammateof mine decided to go there so I joinedher.JG: Favorite moment at Georgetown?BL: When we beat Notre Dame, and Ihad the winning basket.JG: Did you enjoy playing basketballmore in high school or college?BL: They’re different, high school be-by Ryan Sacksagain led the scoring with help from MeganCleary (8 pts) and Danielle Widmann (6).Megan leads theteam in reboundsper game and getshelp from Jen Gundrumand ChristinaGogh. FreshmanKristina Sanicolahad a career highof 4 points againstHerricks—CoachLeSueur is lookingforward to manymore in the nextfew seasons fromKristina.Coach LeSeur coaching at practicecause I learned to be a leader, college becauseI got to play with better kids, and totravel often.JG: Favorite teammate?BL: Mary Lisicky- a PG from Allentown,PAJG: How does this year’s team (EMHSgirl’s varsity) stack up to last years team?BL: Were more experienced then lastyear, since the girls have had another yearin my system.JG: Teams to watch this year?BL: Baldwin, Herricks, Macarthur.JG: Most anticipated game of theyear?BL: Herricks- Early JanuaryJG: Things you need to improve onthis year?BL: Strong post play, eliminating turnovers.JG: Biggest Strength?BL: Melissa Cohen running things atthe point.JG: Favorite NBA player?BL: Kirk Hinrich.JG: Favorite NBA team to watch?BL: The Chicago Bulls.JG: Thanks for the timeBL: No ProblemSharp ShootingSeniorsby Jesse ShermanThe East Meadow High School BoysVarsity Basketball team is aiming to improveupon their 8-8 record from the2009-2010 season.Fortunately, CoachBarry Dickson hasa core group of experiencedSeniorswho are confidentin taking the teamto the next level.Senior Rob Franzese,who averagedjust below 10points per gamelast season, has ledthe charge thus faras the team’s topscorer. He has compiledan averageof over 16 pointsper game by usingan array of threepointshots as wellas his 6’4’’ frameto convert highpercentage layups.Fellow 6’4’’ senior Jeff Angelino hascomplemented Franzese very well, utilizinghis strength in the point to average over12 points per game. Assists are primarilydelivered by Seniors Nick Slevin and KyleBerger, who have had Varsity experiencesince tenth grade. They supply the Jets withleadership, impeccable passing, and theability to knock down any shot when givenCourtesy of East Meadow PatchCourtesy of Yearbook StaffAthlete SpotlightAndrew DanzigerWrestler- SeniorAndrew Danziger is 23-0 in his matchesthis season as of January 7th. He madethe County Tournament in both his sophomoreand junior years, where he placed4th in a division stacked with two all-statewrestlers. This year, he is a contender towin the County Championship and moveon to compete in the State Tournament inthe opportunity. Seniors Chris Melnyczukand Rob Bocchetti provide the Jets withsubstantial depth, as both have the abilityto be effectivestarters or benchplayers. They arealso three-pointRob Franzese hits a jumpershooting threats;Melnyczuk scoreda remarkable 12points from threepointersin a gameagainst ValleyStream South.The Jets’ currentsuccess canbe attributed to acombination ofstrong play fromtheir Seniors andtheir talentedunderclassmen.Sophomore JoeCampay has madehis 6’4’’ presencefelt, averaging 6.5points per game inthe games that he has scored in. Cody Zafran,a Freshman, has also had an impressiveand promising start to his Varsity career.The Jets finished 2010 with a 4-2 recordand will certainly try to continue to buildupon their strong start. They will need asmuch fan support as possible, so make sureyou don’t miss any home games as the Jetsmake their playoff push in 2011.his 215 lbs weight class. Next year he willbe wrestling on a scholarship at BinghamtonUniversity.“I’m excited about it [attending Binghamton],but right now my goal is to winCounties. I need to work hard and willhopefully reach my goal.”