John Jay girls basketball returns from break with a loss

Gianna Pelosi gets fouled in the lane. Avery Bisignano makes a pass. Gabby Camaj drives up the court for the Wolves. Kylie Bishop goes up for a shot. JIM MACLEAN PHOTOS

By JIM MACLEAN 

Dec. 18 seems like a long time ago. It was the last time the John Jay girls varsity basketball team was on the court for a game against an opponent.

It showed as John Jay came out of the holiday break for its first game in almost a month on the road at Westlake on Monday, Jan. 12, and the Wolves found it hard to make a shot in a 47-31 setback to the host Wildcats.

“A lot of time off, just playing us, and it showed,” admitted John Jay coach Matt Gallagher. “It’s not like we didn’t have good shots, they just weren’t falling for us. It’s unfortunate, that’s been our issue all season; a lot of good looks and they just don’t fall. That comes with experience, getting used to playing together. We’re getting there, practices are getting a lot better and we’re competing, moving in the right direction. We just have to make shots.”

John Jay actually came out strong and the shots were falling early on for the Wolves. Gianna Pelosi scored 8 points and Gabby Camaj scored five as John Jay built a 24-16 lead midway through the second quarter, but then the Wolves went ice cold.

Westlake scored the last five points of the quarter to cut the lead down to 24-21 heading into halftime. Coming out from the intermission, Kylie Bishop scored the first hoop of the second half to give John Jay a 26-21 lead, but that was the last points of the third quarter for the Wolves. The Wildcats went on a 9-0 run to end the third quarter with a 30-26 lead.

Host Westlake was fired up heading into the fourth quarter and scored the first 5 points to build a 35-26 lead before Avery Bisignano hit a free throw for the Wolves to break their scoreless drought. Camaj then scored the first basket since the opening seconds of the half for the Wolves to cut the deficit down to six at 35-29, but the rally was short lived as Westlake answered with two hoops to regain momentum.

Camaj scored again for John Jay to make it 39-31, but that would be the last points of the game for the Wolves as the Wildcats closed out the game with an 8-0 run to complete a 47-31 victory.

The Wildcats made their free throws down the stretch and closed out the victory, but Gallagher credited his team for a good effort on the road after the long break.

Camaj led the Wolves with 9 points overall. Pelosi finished with 8 points. Bishop scored 5 points, while Helena Schembri, Charlotte Omin, Bea Hill and Lina Halaifonua each scored 2 points for the Wolves.

“They all play hard, every one of them, they’re giving me all they’ve got,” Gallagher said of his team. “We’ve just got to make shots, that’s been our story so far. We’re still trying to put it together. It’s a learning curve and we’re trying to right the ship and come back strong on Wednesday.”

After the long holiday break, John Jay was given a schedule with a long road trip starting at Westlake as the Wolves have five-straight games on the road. Next up was a trip to Edgemont on Wednesday, Jan. 14, followed by a trip to Arlington on Friday, Jan. 16. The Wolves then play games at Croton and Rye Neck before returning home to host Pleasantville on Friday, Jan. 23.