On February 3, the girls varsity basketball team finished its regular season in a three-way tie for second place in the Queens 4A division with John Bowne and Francis Lewis High School. The team held a 11-3 record, despite tough competition and an almost completely new roster. The team has advanced to the division 4A citywide playoffs and will be competing in round 1 against Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School on February 26.

The team has expressed high hopes moving forward. “We’re excited and ready to play anyone, including Francis Lewis, our biggest rival,” senior Ebube Ajulu said. 

Junior Nana-Ama Kwarteng shared a similar sentiment. “It feels good going to the playoffs this year. It feels like all the work the team has been putting in is finally being recognized,” she said. “I do have high hopes…and I hope that we win the playoffs this year.”

After seven seniors from the team graduated last year, a heavier focus was placed on building team chemistry among new players. 

Coach Lauren Caiaccia said, “In terms of trying to get these high school athletes to get to know each other better, to be comfortable being on court, and familiar with one another, the players themselves organize team building activities, [such as] [getting] lunch, or [doing] something fun together [on half-day Fridays].”

Senior captain Kaitlyn Lee said, “My main focus…is to create an environment where we can build not just our relationship as teammates but something more than that. I want everyone to feel close with one another, along with positive energy, which is what I do through high fives, jokes, and laughing with others.”

Sophomore Faye Simons highlighted their game against Forest Hills on January 15. “We were the underdogs playing the first seed in the conference, having lost a significant senior class, and although we did not win, we gave Hills a run for their money.” The team came in close to breaking Forest Hills’ undefeated season with a score of 57-65.

Sophomore Ava Yan discussed the team’s game against Newton High School on January 30, where THHS secured a 52-37 comeback victory. “The first time we played them this year, we lost, and then the second time we played them this year was a home game and we won,” she said. 

Coach Caiaccia has introduced a new structure into each practice to help players improve their skills and feel more prepared and confident during games. The structure includes “more scrimmage-type games and practices” and combines those “practices and scrimmages with some of our local opponents.” Through this set up, all participating teams are able to improve their game.  

The players discussed their coach’s tactics for building a strong team.

“In practice, we’re always joking around and having fun, but we know when it’s time to be serious,” said Ebube.

Nana-Ama said, “Coach Caiccia has these things called game day ‘check ins’ where we go and talk to her before a game, and she just makes sure that everyone is feeling alright and prepared for a game.”

Furthermore, freshman Riley Davis said, “Coach Caiaccia has also emphasized teamwork and playing under game pressure by making fun drills and games, which has made a big difference in our performance.” Faye said that “Coach [Caiaccia] has promoted journaling and reflection more this year, which helps us on the mental side of the sport.”

With the citywide championships and PSAL playoffs coming after mid-winter break, the vacation time could get in the way of all these tactics. 

“There’s…a big gap in time before we play,” said Coach Caiaccia. “Over the February break, we have to make sure that we stay fresh and also that [we] give [players] some time off.”