Girls’:
The Girls’ basketball team finished their season on a high note, winning the NYSAISAA “C” tournament against Unis High School on February 27. The girls walked off the court with a crips final score of 54-34. This was especially significant as it marked the last game with Head Girls’ Basketball Coach Michael Junsch, who is set to retire once the season is completed.
“At the end of the game, we had a moment of recognition for Junsch over the microphone to the crowd. We are all going to miss him. He has done so much for Poly, especially girls’ basketball,” said junior player Tallulah Glancy.
Leading up to the match, the girls had a successful season at 17-7. “We spent hours in the gym refining skills and prepping for the NYSAIS tournament. Rain or shine, weekend or weekday,” said junior player Mila Taendler.
Senior Gettysburg Basketball commit Briana Robles impressed the crowd, reaching her benchmark of 1,000 points at the NYSAISAA game. Robles has been a beneficial player to the team for the past four years. “The basketball team has been a cornerstone of my high school career. Our bonds are indescribable, and I am pretty upset to be leaving.” However, Robles acknowledges that the success of her last season made the ending a highlight.
What’s in store for girls’ basketball? With eight seniors and Dean Cherkira Lashley becoming the new coach for the 2025 season, the team will face a major dynamic shift. However, the team is confident in its ability to fill the gaps and looks forward to next season.
Boys’:
The Poly Boys’ basketball team has had a prolific season, finishing 21-2 (playoffs included), and winning a 4th consecutive Ivy and NYSAIS championship. The team, led by Coach Edgar De La Rosa, has been dominant in NY for a couple of years now, winning the New York State Class B Championship last season, and looks to continue their impressive dynasty next season.
With the loss of star player Philip Lawrence ’23, who is now playing for the University of Chicago basketball team, there were concerns if this year’s team could live up to the legacy that last year’s team achieved, going undefeated. However, the team quickly proved their legitimacy, cruising to an impressive 12-0 record midway through the season.
“It’s hard to compare this year’s team to last year’s since we went undefeated, but I would say that this year we played with a lot more grit and intensity on the defensive end,” said Junior Karim Camara.
Camara, who has been a crucial player in the team since his freshman year, averaged 17 points a game this season, the second-highest on the team.
He attributed the team’s success to its depth, saying, “We had a lot more guys rotating in off the bench who were able to step up and make big plays for us down the stretch.”
Camara and Junior Connor Igoe made the All-Ivy First Team, and Senior Eli Floyd made the Second Team. Igoe, the team’s leading scorer (averaging 22 points a game), succeeded a thousand career points midway through the season when Poly blew out Hackley in the first round of the playoffs.
Overall, it was a great season for the Blue Devils, as they more than exceeded expectations and once again proved themselves as one of the best teams in New York City.
