Elmont Spartans

ELMONT

Spartans playing a numbers game

By JAMIE DEJONG

The Elmont boys’ lacrosse team is attempting to establish a new tradition of Spartans lacrosse, but the main buffer in this grandiose plan has been simply getting the resources necessary to compete at a high level. “COVID has absolutely decimated our program,” coach Justin Casano said. “With all the people graduating three-fourths of our team is going to be these kids fi rst time playing.” Considering the general inexperience of the roster, there are not many players who are guaranteed to be stars, but there are a few projected bright spots. One of which is senior Kymani McDonald, who should be huge difference maker on draws. “Kymani is our faceoff guy,” Casano said. “He’s a three-sport athlete. He has potential to play college lacrosse.” Juniors Aaron Michel and Alex Williams should also be strong assets for the Spartans midfi eld. Sophomore Samuel Simon heads the defense. The main goal for this season is to develop those that should be in the program for a long time, as it would be diffi cult to implement years of learning into one season. “The whole defense is kids brand new to playing besides one player,” Casano said. “The goalie is a freshman who hasn’t played. The plan is to get these kids experience and hopefully in two years we can compete.” Not everything is gloomy for the state of the program, as there has been signifi cant progress in implementing a youth league, which should make this inexperience of the roster a one-time occurrence. “I fi nally got the PAL going which is nice to get 5th and 6th grade going in the community which has been an uphill battle,” Casano said. “It has been an insane uphill battle for the past 11 years that I’ve been here. Us and Sewanhaka are the only two teams in the district that don’t have one.” If any 5th and 6th graders are interested in playing, they should email Kenneth.brown@ nassaucountypal.org.

guaranteed to be stars, but bright spots. One of which is senior Kymani McDonald, who should be huge differ “Kymani is our faceoff guy,” Casano said. “He’s a three-sport athlete. He has Juniors Aaron Michel and Alex Williams should also be strong assets for the Spartans midfi eld. Sophomore Samuel Simon The main goal for this season is to develop those that should be in the program for a long time, as it would be diffi cult to implement years of learning into one season. “The whole defense is kids brand new to playing besides one player,” Casano said. “The goalie is a freshman who hasn’t played. The plan is to get these kids experience and hopefully in two years we can Not everything is gloomy for the state of the program, as there has been signifi cant progress in implementing a youth league, which should make this inexperience of the roster a one-time

Elmont displays positive vibe positive vibe

Spirits are certainly high within the Elmont girls’ lacrosse program. Considering the strenuous game conditions COVID caused the past two seasons, the Spartans are overlooking the subpar records of previous seasons and are simply happy to get a shot to compete. “We are so grateful to even have this year,” coach Kemola Webster said. “I feel like the last two years have been incredibly diffi cult. We’re in a good place right now. The girls are in good spirits. The energy and dedication are at a very high level.” One potential predicament is simply the size of the roster. Considering only 18 girls are present on the roster, it’s going to take a complete team effort to get meaningful results. As coach Webster stated, “We are such a small unit so there’s going to be a lot people helping out.” Even though it’s going to take a total effort from the fi rst girl to the last to make an impact this year, certain girls have stood out in the early practices and the team’s only scrimmage. Senior attackman Orobo Ogbovoh, junior midfi elder Anaise Novembre, sophomore attackmen Ivie Ihaza, freshman middie Makayla Noel, and freshman goalie Saradijjne Simeon have all thrived in the early going. “Those girls are going to be very big for us this year,” Webster stated. Considering the sheer quantity of the roster and how few upperclassmen the team possesses, the main emphasis will be learning the fundamentals and the progression of the younger girls. Considering the morale and character of the girls on the roster, Webster is confi dent the girls will respond positively to the challenges this year presents. “We have a smaller roster than we’ve had in a long time but it’s still a very positive group of young ladies,” Webster stated. “They’re ready to learn and ready to play which is important

high within the Elmont girls’ lacrosse program. Considering the strenuous game conditions COVID considering we’ve had some trying seasons with COVID.”

Kymani McDonald

caused the past two seasons and are simply happy to get a shot to compete. “We are so grateful to even have this year,” coach Kemola Webster said. “I feel like the last two years have been incredibly diffi cult. We’re in a good place right now. The girls are in good spirits. The energy and dedication are at a One potential predicament is simply the size of the roster. Considering only 18 girls are present on the roster, it’s going to take a complete team effort to get meaningful results. As coach Webster stated, “We are such a small unit so there’s going to be a lot people helping out.” Even though it’s going to take a total effort from the fi rst girl to the last to make an impact this year, certain girls have stood out in the early practices and the team’s only scrimmage. Senior attackman Orobo Ogbovoh, junior midfi elder Anaise Novembre, sophomore attackmen Ivie Ihaza, freshman middie Makayla Noel, and freshman goalie Saradijjne Simeon have all thrived in the early going. “Those girls are going to be very big for us this year,” Webster stated. Considering the sheer quantity of the roster and how few upperclassmen the team possesses, the main emphasis will be learning the fundamentals and the progression of the younger girls. Considering the morale and character of the girls on the roster, Webster is confi dent the girls will respond positively to the challenges this year presents. “We have a smaller roster than we’ve had in a long time but it’s still a very positive group of young ladies,” Webster stated. “They’re ready to learn and ready to play which is important

Orobo Obovoh

considering we’ve had some trying seasons with COVID.”

Conference Schedules Schedules

BOYS

April

13 Glen Cove 5:00 p.m. 22 @ Sewanhaka 4:30 p.m. 27 Kennedy 4:45 p.m.

May

4 @ Mepham 5:00 p.m. 6 @ Great Neck North 5:00 p.m. 11 @ New Hyde Park 5:00 p.m. 14 Great Neck South 10:00 a.m. 17 Baldwin 4:30 p.m.

GIRLS

March

25 @ Roosevelt 5:00 p.m. 30 @ Elmont 4:30 p.m.

April

5 @ Hempstead 4:45 p.m. 8 Valley Stream 4:30 p.m. 12 Glen Cove 5:00 p.m. 14 Freeport 4:30 p.m. 27 @ West Hempstead 5:00 p.m.

May

2 @ Great Neck South 5:00 p.m. 4 Great Neck North 5:00 p.m. 6 @ Malv/East Rock 5:00 p.m.