April 2023
A Basket Full of History By Emma Galgano
The Harvey girls varsity basketball team has made Harvey proud with their outstanding and record-breaking season. Last year, the girls Varsity record was 4-10, and they had an excellent showing in the HVAL playoffs, despite falling short in the semifinals. However, the team has come back better than ever!
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Ms. Victoria Shopovick and Ms. Felicia Peterson coach the team. Before the season started, Coach Shopovick stated, as reported on the Harvey website, “We’re excited to have a really great season this year, and we look to increase our wins from last year and make it deep into the playoffs.” The roster consisted of a substantial number of seniors, including captain Kira Ortega at point guard, Emi Knauer at forward, Jordan Latta at guard and small forward, Celia Baer, 2022’s top leader in rebounds at forward, Juliet Jaques at guard and small forward, and Liz Hurley at guard and small forward. The team also consisted of juniors: captain McKensi Forde at shooting guard and small forward, Fernanda Alexandre at shooting guard and small forward, Mariona Bascunana Amat at guard and small forward, and Grace Alpern at guard. The team also included two ninth graders: Amani Carty at forward and Peyton Forde at guard. The girls opened their season with an impressive victory over Masters, allowing them to qualify for the Peg Duggan Tournament at Horace Mann School in Riverdale against Inwood Academy. The team continued their victorious run at the tournament with a final score of 5122. Some game standouts include the Tournament MVP McKensi, who put up 11 points, junior Fernanda with 17 points, Peyton with her outstanding defense and 13 points, and Kira with eight points and several steals. In the next game, the team defeated their first HVAL opponent, Westover, making their league record 1-0 and overall record 3-0.
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On Dec.14, the team put in an extraordinary effort against HVAL rival Watkinson, despite their heartbreaking loss by one point, making the final score 57-56. This made the team’s league record 1-1. After the game, Coach Shopovick said, “Even with the score
going back and forth, they kept their composure and didn’t let it affect their game. Every player stepped up and knew what they needed to do. I couldn’t be more proud of the girls.” After the Winter Break, on Jan. 4, the players returned with their win against HVAL opponent Christian Heritage, with a final score of 65-28. The team’s star players of the game included Peyton, Kira, Fernanda, and McKensi. The team then continued their winning streaks with an outstanding performance against HVAL revival Westover in a 68-24 victory. Three days later, they beat another HVAL opponent, Forman, 76-39. In the next three games, the team continued their winnings with all of the game’s final scores consisting of the Cavs being 20 points ahead of the other team. Despite their loss against the highly acclaimed New York Military Academy, the girls hopped back into their winning streak in a hard-fought game against Holy Child on Jan. 28. In this game, Kira showed off her skills, as she went six for six on 3-pointers and finished the game with a team-high of 19 points. This victory vaulted Harvey into a first-place tie with Watkinson, as both of their HVAL standings were 8-1. On Feb. 6, it was Senior Day, and the Fenstermacher Athletic Center was decorated with bright, love-filled posters of each senior. The team went against The Wooster School and defeated the Generals despite a close first quarter. Coach Shopovick stated, “When the second quarter started, they knew what they needed to do. They started to lock their defense up, forcing turnovers and coming back with a basket.” In honor of Senior Day, senior Emi Knauer, a four-year varsity player, stated, “Getting to know all the people on the team has been genuinely one of the best parts of my year, and I am so grateful to be on a team that is so supportive of one another.” The players then won their next two games against Williams School and The King School. These wins improved their HVAL standing to 12-1 and their overall Cavs record to 18-2. In the next game, the players continued their winnings ways by defeating The Frederick Gunn School
The Girl’s Varsity Basketball celebrates making Harvey History with their 20th victory. Photo Courtesy of Harvey Communications.
by a 20-point margin. Then on Feb.18, in a 68-38 victory against Forman, girls made Harvey history by obtaining 20 victories and becoming the first varsity team in Harvey’s basketball program to reach that record. Initially, the 1994-95 boys Varsity Basketball team held the record with their 19win record. Coach Shopovick celebrated this accomplishment by stating, “The girls played amazing. I couldn’t be prouder of the way they played.” After the game, Harvey Communications reported, “Harvey Director of Athletics Ray Lacen waved the team over to line up at center court where he saluted a team that had just made school history. The team threw their arms up in celebration and embraced the cheers the home fans sent their way.” The team then went on to defeat Watinkson in the Championship game in front of a huge crowd. This officially made the team 2022-23 champions of the Housatonic Valley Athletic League! The Pulse would like to congratulate the girls varsity basketball team on their highly successful season and on making Harvey history! Update: STAY TUNED FOR THE NEXT ISSUE OF THE PULSE, WHICH WILL FEATURE AN ARTICLE ON THE BOYS VARSITY BASKETBALL TEAM AND THEIR SUCCESSFUL SEASON!