Sports

Girls Basketball Preview: Riverhead’s first goal — get healthy

Shoreham-Wading River senior Courtney Clasen returns to lead the Wildcats this season. (Credit: Robert O'Rourk, file)
Shoreham-Wading River senior Courtney Clasen returns to lead the Wildcats this season. (Credit: Robert O’Rourk, file)

If asked at this time last year, Shoreham-Wading River coach Adam Lievre would have guessed that Courtney Clasen would play soccer in college. An outstanding all-around athlete, Clasen was one of the rare athletes who gets to face a decision over which sport to play at the next level. After a successful summer and fall playing AAU ball, Clasen has decided to pursue basketball next year in college, Lievre said.

The Wildcats will rely heavily on Clasen this season to be a dominant force on both ends of the court. Teams will see an even more improved Clasen from last year after she spent the offseason focused on basketball for the first time.

“She had a great summer and fall season with the AAU,” Lievre said.

The Wildcats have depth around Clasen and Lievre said depending on the game, a number of different kids could end up contributing.

The Wildcats are coming off a successful summer in which they won the Town of Brookhaven Summer League.

Mackenzie Zajac and Maria Smith are two players who will see a lot of time alongside Clasen. Lievre said Zajac is a year-round basketball player who has continued to improve. Smith, a sophomore, brings an aggressive style of play similar to what the Wildcats had the last four years in Shannon Rosati, who since graduated.

The Wildcats also return key players in Jess McCormack, Caitlin Mirabell and Alex Hutchins.

Sophomore Sophie Triandafils is another talented athlete who will see a larger role this season. Lindsay McKenna will play some center. If there’s one thing the Wildcats lack this season, it’s size. Lievre said the team is a guard-oriented team. To help in that regard, he brought up freshman Lydia Kessel, who just starred in goal on the soccer team this fall. But Lievre said Kessel suffered a foot fracture and will be out at least a month.

The Wildcats open the non-league season Thursday at Hampton Bays. They’ll open the league season Dec. 11 at East Hampton.