Jordan Kauftheil drives baseline for the Wolves. Sela Halaifonua controls for John Jay in season opener against Tappan Zee. Jane Brennan scores in the lane for the Wolves. Jim MacLean Photos
By JIM MACLEAN
John Jay girls basketball coach Matt Gallagher knew the schedule did not work out in favor of the Wolves when he saw their first opponent would be Tappan Zee. At least it would be at home as John Jay hosted Tappan Zee on Monday in the season opener.
Tappan Zee is a team used to playing for the title at the Westchester County Center, and the Dutchmen have a veteran team led by two senior stars already committed to play in college next year. Those veterans knew how to come out strong and take control, and the end result would be a 55-31 victory for Tappan Zee and a learning experience for John Jay.
“We got thrown into the fire and we can only go up from here,” coach Gallagher said of having to play Tappan Zee in the opener. “We knew they are a great team, great program, great coach, we knew what we were up against. Definitely some nerves in the first half, just working out the kinks. Second-half was much better with much more energy and we looked a little more comfortable and played better.”
John Jay came out strong and kept it close in the first quarter trailing 11-6, but then Tappan Zee senior star Kristen Phelan got hot. Phelan, committed to play at Sacred Heart University next year, went on a tear scoring 13 points in the second quarter to give her team a 33-9 halftime lead. Phelan kept it up in the third quarter to give Tappan Zee a 50-18 lead as she finished with 30 points.
The Wolves finished strong as Charlotte Omin hit a pair of three-pointers and John Jay scored 13 points in the fourth quarter, but Tappan Zee closed out the impressive victory.
Senior Jane Brennan led the way for John Jay as she finished with seven points. Omin was next with six points. Jaime Bartley-Cohen and Gianna Pelosi each scored four points for the Wolves. Seniors Sela Halaifonua and Jordan Kauftheil each finished with three points, and Gaby Camaj scored two points to round out the scoring for John Jay.
Despite the loss, Gallagher knows his team has the talent and experience to bring it together for a good season with a roster full of senior veterans leading the way.
“A lot of seniors, I’m excited, they’re phenomenal leaders, great kids and they want to be successful,” Gallagher said of his roster. “They want to put it on their backs and they’re stepping up into that role. They are great with the younger girls and I love to see that.”
Most of the roster returns and they saw a lot of playing time last season. The veterans are all multi-sport athletes who were busy leading John Jay to successful fall seasons in volleyball, field hockey and soccer. Now, Gallagher knows they have to come together as a basketball team, with senior Halaifonua leading the way. She was a captain and leading scorer for the Wolves last year.
“Four out of five starters are back, seven seniors, a very energetic bunch which is great,” added Gallagher. “Sela was a captain last year, she’s been sick, but getting back into it and she’s really important and will lead the way for us. We have some great athletes who are working very hard and we just have to work out the kinks and play basketball.”
John Jay faces a busy week with three straight road games. The Wolves were set to face Nyack on the road on Thursday. John Jay then travels to Rye on Friday and Mahopac on Monday, Dec. 9.