HSMSE’s Indoor Track and Field team competed Saturday, February 22nd at the 2020 PSAL City Championships at the Armory in Washington Heights. At the meet, HSMSE’s boys’ and girls’ teams placed 12th and 21st respectively in the city.
This marks a season-ending event for the HSMSE Flying Dragons in which their star players’ skills were displayed on the city’s greatest stage. Thirteen HSMSE athletes competed in a total of six events against other top schools in the city.
Among the most significant performers in the City Championship was junior Whralston Anderson. He finished second in the triple jump with a distance of 42-5 ½, beating his previous school record by two feet.
Additionally, Anderson tied for second with a 5’-8” high jump. His performances were the Flying Dragons' only top-three finishes in the meet. His triple jump score made him the only HSMSE athlete who qualified for this year’s state meet.
Also, the girls’ pole vaulting team had an outstanding performance. In the event, junior Sophie Levine earned fourth place with a height of seven-feet and eight-inches. Additionally, sophomore Lara Bernard and freshman Penelope Larkin tied for fifth, both with a height of seven-feet and two-inches.
According to coach Thomas Henning, the key to his athletes' success was perseverance and consistency. He believes their stellar performances weren’t anything out of the ordinary; it was the outcome of hard work and commitment.
“People did very much as I expected,” he said.
He also noted sophomore Jillian Darcy’s improvement, who managed to qualify for the city championships for her incredible endurance as a runner. At the meet, she placed 11th in the 3000 meter run with a time of 11:42.67, a minute and nine seconds behind first place.
“She did very well at the end of the season,” he said.
The team's accomplishments have led their school to a new athletic frontier. There is no doubt that the Flying Dragons' boasting multiple medalists was even more impressive with less than 500 students in their school's population. The team looks for an even brighter future next season, with a plan to recruit even more potential champions and train harder than ever before.
- Luis Andino also contributed to this article.
Showing posts with label HSMSE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HSMSE. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
For One HSMSE Track Athlete, It's All About The Journey
Sometimes even the greatest athletes don’t immediately recognize their potential. Whralston Anderson’s meteoric rise in only his second year as a triple jump athlete showed how one can go from zero to hero in the span of months.
The HSMSE junior’s best triple jump in the regular season was 42' 5", boosting his record by a whopping seven feet from his sophomore year. His incredible turnaround qualified him to participate in the New York State Championships.
“I put in a lot of work and figured out what I was trying to do in each event,” Anderson said. “I started staying later whenever I could and I was always looking for what I could do better. I was frustrated at not being good.”
Fueled by his frustration, he worked at improving in multiple events, including the 55m hurdles. This season, he was able to cut his time from 11.05 seconds to 8.88 seconds. Not only did his motivation push him to higher levels; he also received help from the best in the city.
“We’ve also been getting some help from the City College head track coach, his name is Demetrius Murray,” coach Thomas Henning said. “He’s been providing [help]… he was a national triple jump champion, so he [Anderson] got help from people along the way.”
Murray’s help was critical in Anderson’s preparation for the State Championships. Unfortunately, he could not build on his progress, jumping three feet less than his personal record. While Anderson was disappointed to end the season on a sour note, he was very proud of the progress he made.
“[The state championships] wasn’t that great for me personally since I know I could have done better, but I’m definitely proud of what I achieved this season,” he said. “I made unprecedented growth over a couple of months. It was a great experience for me and I am ready to go again next season.”
- Ryan So also contributed to this article.
The HSMSE junior’s best triple jump in the regular season was 42' 5", boosting his record by a whopping seven feet from his sophomore year. His incredible turnaround qualified him to participate in the New York State Championships.
“I put in a lot of work and figured out what I was trying to do in each event,” Anderson said. “I started staying later whenever I could and I was always looking for what I could do better. I was frustrated at not being good.”
Fueled by his frustration, he worked at improving in multiple events, including the 55m hurdles. This season, he was able to cut his time from 11.05 seconds to 8.88 seconds. Not only did his motivation push him to higher levels; he also received help from the best in the city.
“We’ve also been getting some help from the City College head track coach, his name is Demetrius Murray,” coach Thomas Henning said. “He’s been providing [help]… he was a national triple jump champion, so he [Anderson] got help from people along the way.”
Murray’s help was critical in Anderson’s preparation for the State Championships. Unfortunately, he could not build on his progress, jumping three feet less than his personal record. While Anderson was disappointed to end the season on a sour note, he was very proud of the progress he made.
“[The state championships] wasn’t that great for me personally since I know I could have done better, but I’m definitely proud of what I achieved this season,” he said. “I made unprecedented growth over a couple of months. It was a great experience for me and I am ready to go again next season.”
- Ryan So also contributed to this article.
A Look At HSMSE's Indoor Track Team's Future Stars
Despite a very successful season, the High School for Math Science and Engineering indoor track team is already focusing and training for 2021. Coach Thomas Henning is confident in his underclassman for next season. Sophomore Jory Lee and freshman Penelope Larkin are two athletes extremely capable of making a difference for the Flying Dragons.
Lee's results in the long jump and the triple jump were stellar this season. He jumped 39' 6” at the Jim Mckay Games and finished first at the PSAL Gobbler Classic. Henning credited Lee's success to his strength and focus.
“He was very focused on the triple jump,” Henning said.
Larkin demonstrated great leadership and future potential among the freshmen. Henning noted her impressive 11.01-second performance in the 55-meter hurdles at the Manhattan Borough Championships.
“She was amazing," he said. "She's very good at triple jump and hurdles.”
Larkin also excelled in pole vaulting. She finished first in the PSAL Last Chance meet, with a height of 7' 2''.
Henning believes for the athletes to compete at a high level for next season, they have to condition their bodies during the off-season. He mentioned how extremely important it will be for the team increase their strength through weightlifting if they want to compete at a high level.
“I am serious, everyone needs to do weight training,” he said.
For many HSMSE freshmen and sophomores on the indoor track team, they must start training now in order to compete against many of the other schools who are farther along in their strength and development. Through a year of intense training and a strong work ethic, both Larkin and Lee have the potential to lead the Flying Dragons to another successful season.
- Nii Adjei Nortey also contributed to this article.
Lee's results in the long jump and the triple jump were stellar this season. He jumped 39' 6” at the Jim Mckay Games and finished first at the PSAL Gobbler Classic. Henning credited Lee's success to his strength and focus.
“He was very focused on the triple jump,” Henning said.
Larkin demonstrated great leadership and future potential among the freshmen. Henning noted her impressive 11.01-second performance in the 55-meter hurdles at the Manhattan Borough Championships.
“She was amazing," he said. "She's very good at triple jump and hurdles.”
Larkin also excelled in pole vaulting. She finished first in the PSAL Last Chance meet, with a height of 7' 2''.
Henning believes for the athletes to compete at a high level for next season, they have to condition their bodies during the off-season. He mentioned how extremely important it will be for the team increase their strength through weightlifting if they want to compete at a high level.
“I am serious, everyone needs to do weight training,” he said.
For many HSMSE freshmen and sophomores on the indoor track team, they must start training now in order to compete against many of the other schools who are farther along in their strength and development. Through a year of intense training and a strong work ethic, both Larkin and Lee have the potential to lead the Flying Dragons to another successful season.
- Nii Adjei Nortey also contributed to this article.
HSMSE's Boys Varsity Basketball Team Wins The Division For The First Time In The School's 15 Year History
The HSMSE Boys Varsity Basketball team won their division for the first time in 15 years. The team’s strong defense, experienced players, and improved ball movement led to a 13-1 record for the Dragons.
HSMSE’s returning players have developed their skills and gained experience, leading a more mature team on the court. The team’s growth led to them winning close games they lost in previous years.
The Dragons’ superior defense was the result of hard work and dedication. Turnovers and empty possessions were common for opposing teams who couldn’t handle their relentless pressure.
“The players love to play defense, to double team, get steals, and shut down their opponents,”coach Richard Epstein said. “That was inherent in their style of play. You can't teach that type of commitment.”
They focused a lot of their energy on gaining a defensive advantage. The team relied on their defensive prowess to stop opponents from scoring many points.
“We scouted teams more and we would shut down their best player and that became part of our identity,” junior Elijah Axt said. “We were a defensive team; we’d hold [the opponents] to 40 points, and we’d score 60.”
Junior Alex Guimaraes led the team with 16 rebounds per game. It was part of the team’s increased focus on rebounding, as their starters averaged 11 more rebounds per game than last season. The players were more equipped to collect the loose balls due to their better positioning and larger size.
“We all grew and got bigger and stronger and boxed out more and had a bigger commitment to rebounding,” Axt said. “This created many second chances for our offense while also limiting the opponents’ possession.”
Junior Tomer Oron led the team in scoring with over 22 points per game due to his multidimensional offensive style. Oron’s willingness to go right at defenders and score in the paint perfectly complimented his excellent shooting ability from beyond the arc. His aggressive drives to the basket forced defenders to back off giving him more wide open looks and enabling him to knock down more shots.
The team advanced to the third round of the playoffs before their season ended with a loss to the top seeded Uncommon Charter High School. The Sabers were already the favorites for the game, but once HSMSE’s star center Alex Guimaraes suffered an injury early in the game, the Dragons struggled to keep up and lost by a wide margin.
HSMSE looks to build on their success next season with most of their squad intact. Senior Jasper Saar is the only starter not returning to the team. Junior Justin Lin, this year’s sixth man, will be expected to join the starting lineup and make an impact. They’re excited to defend the division crown and prove this year wasn’t a fluke.
- Thomas O'Shea also contributed to this article.
HSMSE’s returning players have developed their skills and gained experience, leading a more mature team on the court. The team’s growth led to them winning close games they lost in previous years.
The Dragons’ superior defense was the result of hard work and dedication. Turnovers and empty possessions were common for opposing teams who couldn’t handle their relentless pressure.
“The players love to play defense, to double team, get steals, and shut down their opponents,”coach Richard Epstein said. “That was inherent in their style of play. You can't teach that type of commitment.”
They focused a lot of their energy on gaining a defensive advantage. The team relied on their defensive prowess to stop opponents from scoring many points.
“We scouted teams more and we would shut down their best player and that became part of our identity,” junior Elijah Axt said. “We were a defensive team; we’d hold [the opponents] to 40 points, and we’d score 60.”
Junior Alex Guimaraes led the team with 16 rebounds per game. It was part of the team’s increased focus on rebounding, as their starters averaged 11 more rebounds per game than last season. The players were more equipped to collect the loose balls due to their better positioning and larger size.
“We all grew and got bigger and stronger and boxed out more and had a bigger commitment to rebounding,” Axt said. “This created many second chances for our offense while also limiting the opponents’ possession.”
Junior Tomer Oron led the team in scoring with over 22 points per game due to his multidimensional offensive style. Oron’s willingness to go right at defenders and score in the paint perfectly complimented his excellent shooting ability from beyond the arc. His aggressive drives to the basket forced defenders to back off giving him more wide open looks and enabling him to knock down more shots.
The team advanced to the third round of the playoffs before their season ended with a loss to the top seeded Uncommon Charter High School. The Sabers were already the favorites for the game, but once HSMSE’s star center Alex Guimaraes suffered an injury early in the game, the Dragons struggled to keep up and lost by a wide margin.
HSMSE looks to build on their success next season with most of their squad intact. Senior Jasper Saar is the only starter not returning to the team. Junior Justin Lin, this year’s sixth man, will be expected to join the starting lineup and make an impact. They’re excited to defend the division crown and prove this year wasn’t a fluke.
- Thomas O'Shea also contributed to this article.
Monday, March 30, 2020
The HSMSE Girls Basketball Team Overcomes Injuries In A Historic Season
The HSMSE Girls basketball team made it to the first round of the 2020 PSAL “B” Division Playoffs after finishing second place in their division. The Dragons maintained a 9-3 record, all while losing two valuable players during the season.
The Dragons were a resilient team, so giving up was not an option. Losing players due to injury did not demoralize the team, in fact, it boosted team morale. They had to play harder in support of their sidelined teammates.
“It gave everyone an opportunity to step up and support their teammates,” coach David Scheiman said.
Before a pre-season scrimmage, starting center Nicole Ogen broke a finger during warm-ups. The Dragons lost another starter midway through the season when shooting guard Barbara Ceci broke her ankle during the first quarter of a league game. Less experienced players stepped up and helped the Dragons take victory.
“[The injuries] makes everyone work harder because everyone wants to come through for that person and win,” junior point guard Agnes Heffner said.
Following the injuries, sophomores Sandy Liang and Taylor Jeffrey filled starting positions, while freshmen Sherry Li and Lily Yan earned more playing time. The Dragons’ ability to deal with adversity sets them up for a strong upcoming season, as their younger players gained valuable experience that will help the team in the future.
- Siddhaarta Venkatesh also contributed to this story.
The Dragons were a resilient team, so giving up was not an option. Losing players due to injury did not demoralize the team, in fact, it boosted team morale. They had to play harder in support of their sidelined teammates.
“It gave everyone an opportunity to step up and support their teammates,” coach David Scheiman said.
Before a pre-season scrimmage, starting center Nicole Ogen broke a finger during warm-ups. The Dragons lost another starter midway through the season when shooting guard Barbara Ceci broke her ankle during the first quarter of a league game. Less experienced players stepped up and helped the Dragons take victory.
“[The injuries] makes everyone work harder because everyone wants to come through for that person and win,” junior point guard Agnes Heffner said.
Following the injuries, sophomores Sandy Liang and Taylor Jeffrey filled starting positions, while freshmen Sherry Li and Lily Yan earned more playing time. The Dragons’ ability to deal with adversity sets them up for a strong upcoming season, as their younger players gained valuable experience that will help the team in the future.
- Siddhaarta Venkatesh also contributed to this story.
HSMSE Girls' Basketball Finds Victory Within Defeat
The HSMSE's Girls Basketball season ended early after losing to the 35th seeded Clinton School Hawks in the first round of the PSAL Class B playoffs at the Nat Holman Gymnasium. To an outsider, this may seem like a failure; however, the 2019-20 season was a great improvement for the Dragons. Last season, HSMSE lost a majority of their games, completely missing the playoffs.
The Dragons were able to advance farther this year, largely due to alterations in their practice style and to changes within their division. Coach David Scheiman had the team practice more often, and introduced rigorous versions of previously used drills.
“[There were] a lot more practices, a lot more dedication, a lot more leadership,” Scheiman said. “[We had] more intensity, more in-game drills, more practices, and a lot more conditioning in there.”
HSMSE benefited from changes in the PSAL’s division alignment. They avoided playing seven of the eight teams they lost to last season.
“We’re in a division in which I think we could be more competitive than we were in the past,” he said. “Some of the other teams that got out of our division [were] notoriously some of the best teams in the B division.”
The team’s newfound resolve and motivation has them eager for the upcoming season. The girls have high hopes, believing they can go much farther with their new players.
"We still have many of our starting players and many new players that can help us achieve more than we did this season," sophomore guard Taylor Jeffery said.
The team’s aspirations of a winning season will not be easily achieved, but with the Dragons continuous hard work, dedication, and practice, their ambitions could very well become a reality.
- William Reusing also contributed to this story.
The Dragons were able to advance farther this year, largely due to alterations in their practice style and to changes within their division. Coach David Scheiman had the team practice more often, and introduced rigorous versions of previously used drills.
“[There were] a lot more practices, a lot more dedication, a lot more leadership,” Scheiman said. “[We had] more intensity, more in-game drills, more practices, and a lot more conditioning in there.”
HSMSE benefited from changes in the PSAL’s division alignment. They avoided playing seven of the eight teams they lost to last season.
“We’re in a division in which I think we could be more competitive than we were in the past,” he said. “Some of the other teams that got out of our division [were] notoriously some of the best teams in the B division.”
The team’s newfound resolve and motivation has them eager for the upcoming season. The girls have high hopes, believing they can go much farther with their new players.
"We still have many of our starting players and many new players that can help us achieve more than we did this season," sophomore guard Taylor Jeffery said.
The team’s aspirations of a winning season will not be easily achieved, but with the Dragons continuous hard work, dedication, and practice, their ambitions could very well become a reality.
- William Reusing also contributed to this story.
HSMSE Girls' Basketball Rising Star: Unni Isaksen
Nearly quadrupling a personal best is nothing but a jaw-dropper. HSMSE junior Unni Isaksen dramatically increased her offensive role this year for the girls’ basketball team.
Isaksen only averaged 3.5 points per game during her sophomore year. It was not until this season where she increased her output to a remarkable 11.4 ppg. HSMSE's girls' basketball coach David Scheiman noted her immense progress this year.
“Her skillset got better [and] her footwork got a lot better,” Scheiman said.“She knows how to hit lay-ups more consistently now, and she knows how to drive to the basket, not being afraid.”
Between her sophomore and junior year, Isaksen didn’t just improve her skills, but she also gained confidence on the court. However, Isaksen’s on-court actions were not the only contribution that caused the change, but a new motivation outside played into it as well.
“I think she understands how important she is to the team, and that she is getting the hang of what her role is,” he said.
Isaksen's ambition to enhance her skills and to devote herself to the game, combined with coach Scheiman’s recent practice changes created the perfect recipe for improvement. With Isaksen on the rise for her senior year, the future seems bright for the Dragons.
- Andy Jiang also contributed to this article.
Isaksen only averaged 3.5 points per game during her sophomore year. It was not until this season where she increased her output to a remarkable 11.4 ppg. HSMSE's girls' basketball coach David Scheiman noted her immense progress this year.
“Her skillset got better [and] her footwork got a lot better,” Scheiman said.“She knows how to hit lay-ups more consistently now, and she knows how to drive to the basket, not being afraid.”
Between her sophomore and junior year, Isaksen didn’t just improve her skills, but she also gained confidence on the court. However, Isaksen’s on-court actions were not the only contribution that caused the change, but a new motivation outside played into it as well.
“I think she understands how important she is to the team, and that she is getting the hang of what her role is,” he said.
Isaksen's ambition to enhance her skills and to devote herself to the game, combined with coach Scheiman’s recent practice changes created the perfect recipe for improvement. With Isaksen on the rise for her senior year, the future seems bright for the Dragons.
- Andy Jiang also contributed to this article.
Friday, February 14, 2020
HSMSE Falls To The Clinton School In The First Round Of The PSAL Girls' Basketball Playoffs
The HSMSE girls’ basketball team lost their first round playoff game 56-35, in an intense battle against the Clinton School at the Nat Holman Gymnasium on February 10, 2020.
Despite the lopsided final score, HSMSE cut the difference to only four points halfway through the third quarter. However, the Dragons’ comeback was cut short by injuries and foul trouble that stymied their star players.
“One of our main players got into foul trouble, and our point guard had a jammed finger,” coach David Scheiman said.
This forced Scheiman to put inexperienced players on the court who were no match for Clinton’s aggressive style of play. Clinton’s full-court press caused HSMSE to turn the ball over repeatedly, which exhausted the Dragons. Frustration from turning the ball over fueled unnecessary fouls.
“Unni [Isaksen] picked up her fourth foul and had to sit out the rest of the [third] quarter,” he said.
With their leading scorer on the bench, HSMSE could not match The Clinton School’s fast-paced offense. HSMSE rallied late in the fourth quarter, but ultimately could not close the gap caused by their earlier foul troubles.
“In the fourth quarter we put up a good fight,” said sophomore Taylor Jeffrey.
Rose Wladis led the Hawks with 23 points. Unni Isaksen had 10 for the Dragons in their losing effort.
Despite the lopsided final score, HSMSE cut the difference to only four points halfway through the third quarter. However, the Dragons’ comeback was cut short by injuries and foul trouble that stymied their star players.
“One of our main players got into foul trouble, and our point guard had a jammed finger,” coach David Scheiman said.
This forced Scheiman to put inexperienced players on the court who were no match for Clinton’s aggressive style of play. Clinton’s full-court press caused HSMSE to turn the ball over repeatedly, which exhausted the Dragons. Frustration from turning the ball over fueled unnecessary fouls.
“Unni [Isaksen] picked up her fourth foul and had to sit out the rest of the [third] quarter,” he said.
With their leading scorer on the bench, HSMSE could not match The Clinton School’s fast-paced offense. HSMSE rallied late in the fourth quarter, but ultimately could not close the gap caused by their earlier foul troubles.
“In the fourth quarter we put up a good fight,” said sophomore Taylor Jeffrey.
Rose Wladis led the Hawks with 23 points. Unni Isaksen had 10 for the Dragons in their losing effort.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
HSMSE softball team navigates inconsistent schedule to postseason
The High School for Math, Science, and Engineering girls’ softball team battled an inconsistent schedule to earn a playoff appearance in the 2017 season. The team relied on contributions from all players to navigate their cancellations and make the postseason.
This year the Dragons had six games postponed due to rain issues. The constant inclement weather forced the team to play games on an erratic schedule. During a 19-day span they managed to only play one game; however, coach Crystal Downey viewed the cancellations as a chance for the team to work on their skills.
“We believed that the rainouts were an opportunity to have extra practice,” Downey said. “We used [the postponements] to our advantage.”
Despite all the changes, the Dragons were still able to return to the playoffs after winning the PSAL B League Championship in 2016. The Dragons went 8-6 and placed third in their division. The team had to reposition and move around the players to where they fit best on the field after losing some key starters like Taylor Faulds and Hillary Rodriguez. Captain and pitcher Annabelle Shultz attributed the team’s success to sticking together as a unit and playing as a whole.
“Because we’ve been practicing so much we all bonded together,” Shultz said. “Even though all the rain did mess up our schedule, we still remained a team so we played very well together.”
With the Dragons playing as infrequently as they were scheduled, they had to depend on a strong core to keep the team’s energy up. Nine of the 15 players that were on the roster were first year players, so they had to rely on guidance from the experienced veterans. Shultz was able to ascend into that role and provide the necessary leadership to propel the team into the playoffs.
“I just understood that even though things might not go your way you have to remain positive,” Shultz said. “Keep your team up and that’s all what it’s about, just spirit.”
While the Dragons lost their first round playoff game, the adversity they battled during the season made this year a success. They were able to bring a team that consisted of nine first year players and still advanced to the postseason despite losing key players from last year and an unpredictable schedule.
- Contributing author - Gabriel Cuilan
This year the Dragons had six games postponed due to rain issues. The constant inclement weather forced the team to play games on an erratic schedule. During a 19-day span they managed to only play one game; however, coach Crystal Downey viewed the cancellations as a chance for the team to work on their skills.
“We believed that the rainouts were an opportunity to have extra practice,” Downey said. “We used [the postponements] to our advantage.”
Despite all the changes, the Dragons were still able to return to the playoffs after winning the PSAL B League Championship in 2016. The Dragons went 8-6 and placed third in their division. The team had to reposition and move around the players to where they fit best on the field after losing some key starters like Taylor Faulds and Hillary Rodriguez. Captain and pitcher Annabelle Shultz attributed the team’s success to sticking together as a unit and playing as a whole.
“Because we’ve been practicing so much we all bonded together,” Shultz said. “Even though all the rain did mess up our schedule, we still remained a team so we played very well together.”
With the Dragons playing as infrequently as they were scheduled, they had to depend on a strong core to keep the team’s energy up. Nine of the 15 players that were on the roster were first year players, so they had to rely on guidance from the experienced veterans. Shultz was able to ascend into that role and provide the necessary leadership to propel the team into the playoffs.
“I just understood that even though things might not go your way you have to remain positive,” Shultz said. “Keep your team up and that’s all what it’s about, just spirit.”
While the Dragons lost their first round playoff game, the adversity they battled during the season made this year a success. They were able to bring a team that consisted of nine first year players and still advanced to the postseason despite losing key players from last year and an unpredictable schedule.
- Contributing author - Gabriel Cuilan
Monday, June 5, 2017
HSMSE Sports Podcast: NBA Finals Talk and Predicitions
With the Golden State Warriors up 2-0 on the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2017 NBA Finals, the HSMSE Sports Journalism class discusses in this podcast the fortunes of both the Warriors and Cavaliers as the series heads to Cleveland.
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
HSMSE boys’ baseball team flourishing without star pitcher
Injuries are an unfortunate, yet common part of athletics. Sports teams constantly presented with injuries are forced to adjust without their key players. The High School for Math, Science, and Engineering boys’ baseball team was not excused from the proverbial injury bug this year. Their top pitcher, junior JJ Katzman, went down with a right arm injury; however, with the pitching of veteran seniors and rising freshman, the team rallied to win its first playoff game in school history.
Katzman’s injury was a result of fatigue and arm discomfort that prohibited him from taking the mound for the majority of the season. Coach David Schieman was forced to place him in centerfield for the rest of the season, as he was unable to pitch.
“My arm isn’t fully strained so I can play most games,” Katzman said. “However, I still cannot throw at full strength. It can be frustrating sometimes, but I’m working through it.”
In addition to his fielding, Katzman was also limited in the batter’s box. Prior to the injury, he had the one of the highest batting averages on the team. Due to the injury, his bat speed became much slower than normal.
“My swing is a bit weaker than usual because I'm not able to use all of my muscles as some tendons are stressed,” Katzman admitted. “But, I'm still able to make solid contact and get on base, so I tend not to worry about it.”
In Katzman’s absence on the mound, the rest of the team’s pitchers have carried the load. Coach Schieman is very impressed at how the team has performed without Katzman pitching. He credits the team for not missing a beat and playing hard throughout every game.
“I think the team has performed very well considering the circumstances,” Schieman said. "The injury to JJ was a tough blow. He’s got a great arm and great understanding of the game. Adam [Greenberg] and Maxwell [Hines] picked up the pitching load along with Tej [Telymonde]. It was great to see us still win games.”
Coach’s decision to spread out the pitching rotation paid imminent dividends. Four-year veteran Hines has a 1.16 ERA in over 12 innings pitched this season. Greenberg, another four-year veteran, has a perfect 7-0 record with an ERA below 1.00.
The freshman Telymonde has not given up a run in his nine innings on the mound, and his play has given the team optimism about next year. Katzman will also be able to return to the mound next season, as a rising senior. He is focused on getting his arm back to full strength and dedicating his free time to making a full recovery.
“I plan to strengthen my arm's injured area as well as my shoulder and tricep over the summer so I can make up for my current weakness,” Katzman said. “Currently I continue to ice after every game and rest my arm as much as possible when I'm not playing in a game.”
While Katzman will be ready to pitch next spring, he still has high expectations for the team this year. Along with Coach Schieman, he is confident in his teammates’ ability to produce on the field and on the scoreboard.
“Baseball is a team sport so if one man goes down everyone else will fill the void.” Katzman said. “I am extremely satisfied in how the team has played with and without me. It shows how deep we are as a ballclub.”
The team finished with a 10-6 record, four of those wins coming with Katzman on the mound. With the 12th seed, they defeated Ice High School 3-1 at Randall’s Island, with Greenberg pitching another great game. Nevertheless, Katzman is certain that a second round berth is not the ceiling for this team.
“I think this team is capable of winning it all,” Katzman declared. “We just need to be intense from the first pitch to the last pitch of the playoffs, My injury shouldn't be an reason for our great team to lose. We are a championship team, regardless of whether or not I’m pitching.”
Katzman’s injury was a result of fatigue and arm discomfort that prohibited him from taking the mound for the majority of the season. Coach David Schieman was forced to place him in centerfield for the rest of the season, as he was unable to pitch.
“My arm isn’t fully strained so I can play most games,” Katzman said. “However, I still cannot throw at full strength. It can be frustrating sometimes, but I’m working through it.”
In addition to his fielding, Katzman was also limited in the batter’s box. Prior to the injury, he had the one of the highest batting averages on the team. Due to the injury, his bat speed became much slower than normal.
“My swing is a bit weaker than usual because I'm not able to use all of my muscles as some tendons are stressed,” Katzman admitted. “But, I'm still able to make solid contact and get on base, so I tend not to worry about it.”
In Katzman’s absence on the mound, the rest of the team’s pitchers have carried the load. Coach Schieman is very impressed at how the team has performed without Katzman pitching. He credits the team for not missing a beat and playing hard throughout every game.
“I think the team has performed very well considering the circumstances,” Schieman said. "The injury to JJ was a tough blow. He’s got a great arm and great understanding of the game. Adam [Greenberg] and Maxwell [Hines] picked up the pitching load along with Tej [Telymonde]. It was great to see us still win games.”
Coach’s decision to spread out the pitching rotation paid imminent dividends. Four-year veteran Hines has a 1.16 ERA in over 12 innings pitched this season. Greenberg, another four-year veteran, has a perfect 7-0 record with an ERA below 1.00.
The freshman Telymonde has not given up a run in his nine innings on the mound, and his play has given the team optimism about next year. Katzman will also be able to return to the mound next season, as a rising senior. He is focused on getting his arm back to full strength and dedicating his free time to making a full recovery.
“I plan to strengthen my arm's injured area as well as my shoulder and tricep over the summer so I can make up for my current weakness,” Katzman said. “Currently I continue to ice after every game and rest my arm as much as possible when I'm not playing in a game.”
While Katzman will be ready to pitch next spring, he still has high expectations for the team this year. Along with Coach Schieman, he is confident in his teammates’ ability to produce on the field and on the scoreboard.
“Baseball is a team sport so if one man goes down everyone else will fill the void.” Katzman said. “I am extremely satisfied in how the team has played with and without me. It shows how deep we are as a ballclub.”
The team finished with a 10-6 record, four of those wins coming with Katzman on the mound. With the 12th seed, they defeated Ice High School 3-1 at Randall’s Island, with Greenberg pitching another great game. Nevertheless, Katzman is certain that a second round berth is not the ceiling for this team.
“I think this team is capable of winning it all,” Katzman declared. “We just need to be intense from the first pitch to the last pitch of the playoffs, My injury shouldn't be an reason for our great team to lose. We are a championship team, regardless of whether or not I’m pitching.”
Boys' volleyball: Dragons reach a historic height
The HSMSE boys' varsity volleyball team battled to an eight and two record to make the playoffs this year. Their success was attributed to their growth as team, especially by their seniors.
Four-year players Yussef Elbagory, Will Esseks, and Isaac Draper have been leaders and “go to” players on the court this season. Their experience helped the team focus on higher level tactics and add more variety to their gameplay because they were able to lead and coordinate the team on the court.
“Isaac, Will, and Yussef all improved in terms of consistency and confidence in games,” coach Nick Diunte said.
This improvement in confidence allowed Esseks, Elbagory, and Draper to be leaders on the court and in practice. Draper's setting led the league in assists. His ability to set up plays is critical to the team’s success and without him their road to the playoffs likely would have been much more troublesome than it was.
Many players also made significant improvements in individual skills such as passing and attacking over the offseason. Both his teammates and his coach applauded Damar Mercado-Hastings for improving his swing and approach to hitting since last year.
“Damar improved his swing and got more kills," senior Samson Lin said. "[He] improved in [his] blocks and digging.”
Developing game-like situations during practice helped the team create a positive attitude going into games and reading their opponents. Practice was an essential factor for not only their improvement on the court, but also for their mentality as a team.
“Always just creating competitive situations in practice helps with games and having a group of guys that always want to be on the floor and compete towards playing time," Diunte said. "I think having that atmosphere in practice turned over into the games.”
Their efforts during practice shined on the court as they worked together to read and adjust to their opponents more efficiently than ever before. The team was able to communicate on both offense and defense to implement new plays and control the pace of the game. Their competitive atmosphere during practice also helped the team create stronger relationships with one another and bond during tough games and losses.
“[We] grew a lot as a team in terms of the ability to handle adversity and go forward from it together and come out ahead,” Diunte said.
The Dragons only lost two games, both to Stuyvesant, but they still came together after games, practice, and even during their free time to work on their flaws.
“Coming together after a tough loss and seeing what we need to work on after each game was a team building experience this year,” Lin said.
By: Charles Dicus and Armani Damiron
Four-year players Yussef Elbagory, Will Esseks, and Isaac Draper have been leaders and “go to” players on the court this season. Their experience helped the team focus on higher level tactics and add more variety to their gameplay because they were able to lead and coordinate the team on the court.
“Isaac, Will, and Yussef all improved in terms of consistency and confidence in games,” coach Nick Diunte said.
This improvement in confidence allowed Esseks, Elbagory, and Draper to be leaders on the court and in practice. Draper's setting led the league in assists. His ability to set up plays is critical to the team’s success and without him their road to the playoffs likely would have been much more troublesome than it was.
Many players also made significant improvements in individual skills such as passing and attacking over the offseason. Both his teammates and his coach applauded Damar Mercado-Hastings for improving his swing and approach to hitting since last year.
“Damar improved his swing and got more kills," senior Samson Lin said. "[He] improved in [his] blocks and digging.”
Developing game-like situations during practice helped the team create a positive attitude going into games and reading their opponents. Practice was an essential factor for not only their improvement on the court, but also for their mentality as a team.
“Always just creating competitive situations in practice helps with games and having a group of guys that always want to be on the floor and compete towards playing time," Diunte said. "I think having that atmosphere in practice turned over into the games.”
Their efforts during practice shined on the court as they worked together to read and adjust to their opponents more efficiently than ever before. The team was able to communicate on both offense and defense to implement new plays and control the pace of the game. Their competitive atmosphere during practice also helped the team create stronger relationships with one another and bond during tough games and losses.
“[We] grew a lot as a team in terms of the ability to handle adversity and go forward from it together and come out ahead,” Diunte said.
The Dragons only lost two games, both to Stuyvesant, but they still came together after games, practice, and even during their free time to work on their flaws.
“Coming together after a tough loss and seeing what we need to work on after each game was a team building experience this year,” Lin said.
By: Charles Dicus and Armani Damiron
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Alex West: The rising dragon of HSMSE
Alex West has shown her potential this season as a junior for the High School For Math Science and Engineering’s girls' basketball team. Her impact on the team as a leader and valuable scorer played a large role throughout the season and in the playoffs.
In the 2015-2016 season, West averaged only six points per game. She looked to her team for inspiration for the next season, specifically coach David Scheiman and team captain Annabelle Shultz.
“Mostly Annabelle and Scheiman [have helped me improve] because they knew I had the potential and I have finally been achieving what they always thought I could do,” West said.
West showed great improvement this season as she averaged 14 points per game and led the division in assists. The Lady Dragons finished the season 10-1 and faced Eleanor Roosevelt in their first playoff game, where they suffered a heartbreaking 50-45 loss. West performed well in the playoff contest, scoring 16 points and making key defensive stops.
She attributed their playoff appearance to the strength of the entire team. The team's chemistry improved as the season went along.
“This year we [were] more of a team even [when] we lost," she said. "We are bonded closer together. Scheiman has focused more on the technique behind our shooting and layups, so we have become more consistent and we have had better practice of this.”
Scheiman described technical improvements in West’s play that has raised her confidence on the court. As her role in the offense has grown, so has her output.
“Her dribbling, her shooting, and her on and off-court leadership [has improved], she has been very vocal on and off the court," Scheiman said. "She’s starting to come into her own and feels a lot more confident dribbling and shooting this year.”
As a coach, Scheiman saw potential and growth in West both on and off the court. Since freshman year he was impressed by her athleticism and fierce determination.
“On the court she’s a leader," he said. "She’s a fierce competitor and a lot of the other players will follow her on that effect. Off the court, she is the leader amongst her grade and people look up to her. So pretty much, for Alex for next year the girls [will] look up to her, so if she leads the way they will follow her."
West will be looking forward to playing her last season with the Lady Dragons next year. Scheiman has high expectations for her next season as a leader both on and off the court, as well emerging as a top player in the league with Shultz’s departure.
“I would like to see her anywhere from a 15 to 20 point scorer," Scheiman said. "I would like to see her averaging five rebounds per game. I think she can be a top player in the league, she’s very good in basketball and she can do that next year.”
Although she suffered a crushing loss in the playoffs after improving immensely, West held her head high in hopes of winning it all next year.
“We’ll practice harder, play harder, and I’ll do my best to lead the team,” she said.
Friday, March 3, 2017
Freshmen taking big steps towards a role on the HSMSE basketball team
This season the freshman boys’ basketball players at the High School for Math Science and Engineering have made contributions across the board to a rebuilding basketball team that lost eight seniors. The team has relied upon its younger players for support because of the gaps left at the shooting guard and small forward positions by the graduated players.
Freshmen Jasper Saar and Adrian Wu have been sharing minutes at the shooting guard position, as well as freshman Yahmani Price , who has seen minutes at the small forward position. Price has also made valuable contributions as a rebounder and a scorer. Saar plays well as a ball handler and as a defender. Wu is a sharpshooter who is also a plus defender.
The Dragons went from a 6-10 record in 2015-16 to an 8-6 record this season. This improvement comes after a loss of seven players, three of whom were starting players last year. Their defensive contributions and the ball handling skills of all three players have been valuable assets to the team.
The freshmen have helped to push the offense, especially Price. His playmaking ability is advanced for a ninth grader.
“I’m a good passer and I have [court] vision,” Price said.
This ability is not just an unbacked claim, as he averaged three assists per game which is second only to Jonathan Katzman on the team, who leads the division in that category.
The future looks bright for HSMSE basketball if these freshman continue to develop and get playing time. They show an ability to handle the ball and shoot. If the team can fill the rebounding loss from their departing front court, HSMSE boys basketball will have an opportunity to play post-season basketball once again.
Authored by Charles Dicus and Gabriel Cuilan
Freshmen Jasper Saar and Adrian Wu have been sharing minutes at the shooting guard position, as well as freshman Yahmani Price , who has seen minutes at the small forward position. Price has also made valuable contributions as a rebounder and a scorer. Saar plays well as a ball handler and as a defender. Wu is a sharpshooter who is also a plus defender.
The Dragons went from a 6-10 record in 2015-16 to an 8-6 record this season. This improvement comes after a loss of seven players, three of whom were starting players last year. Their defensive contributions and the ball handling skills of all three players have been valuable assets to the team.
The freshmen have helped to push the offense, especially Price. His playmaking ability is advanced for a ninth grader.
“I’m a good passer and I have [court] vision,” Price said.
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| Yahmani Price / Tom Henning |
The future looks bright for HSMSE basketball if these freshman continue to develop and get playing time. They show an ability to handle the ball and shoot. If the team can fill the rebounding loss from their departing front court, HSMSE boys basketball will have an opportunity to play post-season basketball once again.
Authored by Charles Dicus and Gabriel Cuilan
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Eric Abreu’s leadership drives HSMSE boys basketball to playoffs
Eric Abreu’s improvement throughout his four year tenure on the High School for Math Science and Engineering’s boys’ basketball team has propelled the Dragons to their first playoff appearance in five seasons.
In the 2016-17 season, Abreu scored 16.7 ppg, placing him second in his division. His scoring output is even more impressive considering the fact that he has doubled it since freshman year.
“There wasn’t many seniors on the team when I came, so through the years I tried to step into that leadership role,” Abreu said. “[I wanted to] be that leader that we didn’t have.”
Aside from his on-court contribution, Abreu is also a tremendous asset off the court. He must balance his responsibilities in the Mount Sinai concentration, a medical internship that HSMSE offers that requires the student to spend half the school day at Mount Sinai hospital. Abreu makes sure that his work at Mount Sinai does not interfere with his role on the team.
“I try to make up for Sinai when I don’t have school,” he said.
As one of only two four year players on the team, he must be a mentor for players who are not as experienced in the PSAL, and try to mold new additions to contributors for the team. Gabriel Culian is a second year player for the Dragons, and he feels his production has increased through Abreu's guidance.
“Certain times when I was working by myself he would come to me and show me certain skills,” Culian said. “He’s pushed me to strive harder in school and he’s helped me when I had trouble.”
Since the Dragons are heading into the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season, no current member on the team has played a game in the postseason. Despite their lack of experience, Abreu is confident the team will do well.
“Over the years I've been on the team, we've gotten a lot better,” Abreu said. “When the ball is in someone else's hands, they can do something well for the team.”
Authored By Mohammed Kabir, Michael Stern, Matthias Granja
In the 2016-17 season, Abreu scored 16.7 ppg, placing him second in his division. His scoring output is even more impressive considering the fact that he has doubled it since freshman year.
“There wasn’t many seniors on the team when I came, so through the years I tried to step into that leadership role,” Abreu said. “[I wanted to] be that leader that we didn’t have.”
Aside from his on-court contribution, Abreu is also a tremendous asset off the court. He must balance his responsibilities in the Mount Sinai concentration, a medical internship that HSMSE offers that requires the student to spend half the school day at Mount Sinai hospital. Abreu makes sure that his work at Mount Sinai does not interfere with his role on the team.
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| Teammates show appreciation for Eric Abreu / T. Henning |
“I try to make up for Sinai when I don’t have school,” he said.
As one of only two four year players on the team, he must be a mentor for players who are not as experienced in the PSAL, and try to mold new additions to contributors for the team. Gabriel Culian is a second year player for the Dragons, and he feels his production has increased through Abreu's guidance.
“Certain times when I was working by myself he would come to me and show me certain skills,” Culian said. “He’s pushed me to strive harder in school and he’s helped me when I had trouble.”
Since the Dragons are heading into the playoffs for the first time since the 2011-12 season, no current member on the team has played a game in the postseason. Despite their lack of experience, Abreu is confident the team will do well.
“Over the years I've been on the team, we've gotten a lot better,” Abreu said. “When the ball is in someone else's hands, they can do something well for the team.”
Authored By Mohammed Kabir, Michael Stern, Matthias Granja
Nathan Cates: Passion personified
Clank! The ball bounces off the rim and into the big man’s hands. He rises up strong and finishes with contact. The player screams “AND 1!” with ferocity as the crowd cheers him on. This sequence has been a normality in senior Nathan Cates’ high school career, as he’s remained an integral part of the HSMSE boys basketball varsity team.
Cates, who has played three out of the four years, wasn’t always the most dedicated and focused player. During his freshman year, Cates struggled to maintain composure on and off the court and as a result of that, only played in four games his rookie season.
“When you’re younger, you can be hot-headed,” Cates said. “As a captain, you have to keep your head cool.”
Referring to an incident earlier in his career in which he got benched for a scuffle with an opposing player after a foul, Cates said he matured over time. This year he has yet to receive a technical foul and has used his experience to instruct the underclassmen.
“Throughout the years I’ve had a change of attitude,” Cates said. “As I became an upperclassman, I was able to improve through practice and learning from those before me.”
As his focus improved on the court, so did his focus off the court. The only year Cates was not able to participate in varsity sports was his sophomore year of high school, in which subpar grades limited him from playing on the team. Motivated to get back on the team, he began to work harder in school, stating that the desire to play basketball has helped him with his academic responsibilities.
“When I’m doing my classwork I know that it’s necessary to play the game I love,” he said. “It pays off. I used to have academic issues, but it’s not worth missing basketball season.”
The maturing process he has gone through has physically and mentally changed Cates. Averaging a career high 10.7 ppg to go along with 14.7 rpg, his rebounding and his post play has been vital to the Dragons playoff push.
“Rebounding is the beginning of offense,” Cates states. “Every rebound is the start of a new possession. That’s how I get most of my points. Nothing’s better than rebounding.”
Now, as the team gets ready for its first playoff game in five years, Nathan Cates has sustained confidence in himself and his teammates. He believes a title, which would be the first in HSMSE basketball history, is not out of the question.
“We have a great team,” he said. “We have a lot of chemistry. I think we can beat any team.”
Authored by Arik Armstead, Bruce Mayfield
Cates, who has played three out of the four years, wasn’t always the most dedicated and focused player. During his freshman year, Cates struggled to maintain composure on and off the court and as a result of that, only played in four games his rookie season.
“When you’re younger, you can be hot-headed,” Cates said. “As a captain, you have to keep your head cool.”
 |
| Nathan Cates / Tom Henning |
“Throughout the years I’ve had a change of attitude,” Cates said. “As I became an upperclassman, I was able to improve through practice and learning from those before me.”
As his focus improved on the court, so did his focus off the court. The only year Cates was not able to participate in varsity sports was his sophomore year of high school, in which subpar grades limited him from playing on the team. Motivated to get back on the team, he began to work harder in school, stating that the desire to play basketball has helped him with his academic responsibilities.
“When I’m doing my classwork I know that it’s necessary to play the game I love,” he said. “It pays off. I used to have academic issues, but it’s not worth missing basketball season.”
The maturing process he has gone through has physically and mentally changed Cates. Averaging a career high 10.7 ppg to go along with 14.7 rpg, his rebounding and his post play has been vital to the Dragons playoff push.
“Rebounding is the beginning of offense,” Cates states. “Every rebound is the start of a new possession. That’s how I get most of my points. Nothing’s better than rebounding.”
Now, as the team gets ready for its first playoff game in five years, Nathan Cates has sustained confidence in himself and his teammates. He believes a title, which would be the first in HSMSE basketball history, is not out of the question.
“We have a great team,” he said. “We have a lot of chemistry. I think we can beat any team.”
Authored by Arik Armstead, Bruce Mayfield
Monday, April 11, 2016
HSMSE Boys' Basketball makes a great leap forward during the 2015-16 season
The HSMSE boys’ basketball team made a tremendous rise during the 2015-16 campaign from last season by way of the Dragons core players developing from overwhelmed underclassmen to effective leaders. Their impact on the team came from taking responsibilities which they did not have prior to this year.
“It was a big adjustment not only from freshman year to senior year, but from every season in between," senior Yonatan Pechter said. "Each year I was given more responsibility.”
The Dragons held a lowly 2-12 record during the 2014-2015 season; however, this season they climbed to 6-10. This improvement came at the hands of the juniors and seniors who made adjustments to their game this season. Players such as Pechter and Lucian Ramnarase made the necessary changes in their game to help the team to more wins than has been seen in the past several years by the Dragons.
"Maturing seniors [and] developing underclassmen made for interesting possibilities," coach Richard Epstein said.
Ramnarase took the role of the defensive stopper for the Dragons. He greatly increased his offensive and defensive output, averaging six points and six rebounds per game. Prior to this season, Ramnarase received playing time almost exclusively as a defender. This season, not only has he occasionally lead the team in scoring, he has been a locker room leader.
"Lucian [Ramnarase] refused to accept losing, and right from the start, his attitude and effort became contageous," Epstein said. "Once we began to believe we could win, we started winning."
Pechter increased his scoring, taking a larger role within the team’s offensive scheme. He often shot the three ball when the team needed them most. This is a great change from his freshman year.
“My freshman year this team was the first organized basketball I ever played," Petcher said. "I didn’t know how to compete on a competitive team.”
With a mature core of players, Epstein was able to scout and prepare game plans against opponents and have the team execute them. The team's maturation and a hard working culture led to the great improvement in their play.
"We had a group of mature experienced seniors and some very productive underclassmen who learned a lot from the seniors, and developed great work habits, skills, and success," Epstein said.
“It was a big adjustment not only from freshman year to senior year, but from every season in between," senior Yonatan Pechter said. "Each year I was given more responsibility.”
The Dragons held a lowly 2-12 record during the 2014-2015 season; however, this season they climbed to 6-10. This improvement came at the hands of the juniors and seniors who made adjustments to their game this season. Players such as Pechter and Lucian Ramnarase made the necessary changes in their game to help the team to more wins than has been seen in the past several years by the Dragons.
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| HSMSE Boys' Basketball Team / T. Henning |
"Maturing seniors [and] developing underclassmen made for interesting possibilities," coach Richard Epstein said.
Ramnarase took the role of the defensive stopper for the Dragons. He greatly increased his offensive and defensive output, averaging six points and six rebounds per game. Prior to this season, Ramnarase received playing time almost exclusively as a defender. This season, not only has he occasionally lead the team in scoring, he has been a locker room leader.
"Lucian [Ramnarase] refused to accept losing, and right from the start, his attitude and effort became contageous," Epstein said. "Once we began to believe we could win, we started winning."
Pechter increased his scoring, taking a larger role within the team’s offensive scheme. He often shot the three ball when the team needed them most. This is a great change from his freshman year.
“My freshman year this team was the first organized basketball I ever played," Petcher said. "I didn’t know how to compete on a competitive team.”
With a mature core of players, Epstein was able to scout and prepare game plans against opponents and have the team execute them. The team's maturation and a hard working culture led to the great improvement in their play.
"We had a group of mature experienced seniors and some very productive underclassmen who learned a lot from the seniors, and developed great work habits, skills, and success," Epstein said.
HSMSE Girls' Soccer returns to playoffs after promotion to A League
The HSMSE girls’ soccer team is coming off another successful season. They followed up their 2014 PSAL B League championship season with a 2015 playoff appearance in the PSAL A League.
After last season’s undefeated 14-0 record and a championship in the B League, the Dragons were promoted to the Bronx / Manhattan A Division, where they had to adjust to better competition. While the B Division featured players who usually competed for just the three month season, the A Division had players who participated in games year-round in leagues outside of school. Coach Regina Zafonte noted the improved caliber of teams the Dragons had to face.
“The speed and pace is much faster,” Zafonte said. “There are a lot more talented and technical players.”
Despite the challenges they faced, the Dragons managed to place third in their division, making the playoffs with a 7-5 record. Zafonte credits the girls’ success to the team staying focused and working together on the field.
“We had to be really coordinated with our offensive attacks,” Zafonte said. “We had to make sure we were constantly communicating and our defense was solid, because we were going to be tested many times.”
Throughout the season, the Dragons had many memorable moments. They won their first round playoff game against McKee/Staten Island Tech. In addition to their playoff victory, they were the only team to score against Beacon High School in two separate matches, and defeated eventual champion Bronx Science during the regular season.
“I think that as a team, we exceeded our goals,” Zafonte said. “We did things during the season that were really impressive.”
Next year, the team will have to adjust to the departure of four seniors: Taylor Faulds, Maggie Haxhia, Galit Wiener, and Taieesha Peshkovsky, who was selected to play in the prestigious Mayors’ Cup. Despite these obstacles, the Dragons still have high expectations for next season.
“We would like to make the playoffs again,” Zafonte said. “We also want to fill the spots that are going to be open. If we win a championship, that’s a bonus.”
After last season’s undefeated 14-0 record and a championship in the B League, the Dragons were promoted to the Bronx / Manhattan A Division, where they had to adjust to better competition. While the B Division featured players who usually competed for just the three month season, the A Division had players who participated in games year-round in leagues outside of school. Coach Regina Zafonte noted the improved caliber of teams the Dragons had to face.
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| HSMSE Girls' Soccer Team / HSMSE Yearbook |
Despite the challenges they faced, the Dragons managed to place third in their division, making the playoffs with a 7-5 record. Zafonte credits the girls’ success to the team staying focused and working together on the field.
“We had to be really coordinated with our offensive attacks,” Zafonte said. “We had to make sure we were constantly communicating and our defense was solid, because we were going to be tested many times.”
Throughout the season, the Dragons had many memorable moments. They won their first round playoff game against McKee/Staten Island Tech. In addition to their playoff victory, they were the only team to score against Beacon High School in two separate matches, and defeated eventual champion Bronx Science during the regular season.
“I think that as a team, we exceeded our goals,” Zafonte said. “We did things during the season that were really impressive.”
Next year, the team will have to adjust to the departure of four seniors: Taylor Faulds, Maggie Haxhia, Galit Wiener, and Taieesha Peshkovsky, who was selected to play in the prestigious Mayors’ Cup. Despite these obstacles, the Dragons still have high expectations for next season.
“We would like to make the playoffs again,” Zafonte said. “We also want to fill the spots that are going to be open. If we win a championship, that’s a bonus.”
Tuesday, March 29, 2016
HSMSE Boys' Soccer wins division to earn playoff spot
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| HSMSE Boys' Soccer Team / N. Diunte |
The Dragons won the Manhattan B II Division, and played into the second round of the PSAL playoffs. Coach Nicholas Diunte attributes the improvement to young players who were prepared for the competition.
“The younger players matured in a shorter amount of time,” Diunte said. “Having a year behind of playing together helped. We [also] had some freshmen who were ready to step right in.”
Throughout the entire season, the team focused on the concept that all players needed to have an impact on the game. With everyone working towards the same goal, success was easier to attain.
“[By] getting everyone to contribute, and getting everyone on the same page on what we wanted to do offensively and defensively, we got the most out of what we could do with that concept all season,” Diunte said.
Looking forward to 2016, HSMSE will be without four seniors: goalkeeper Alexei Ohotin, defender Matthew Levine, forward Onyekachi Akalonu, and defender Nick Winokur. While the team will have to adjust to the loss of these players, their coach feels that they have the personnel to fill the void of the departing seniors.
“I think that there are younger players who are ready to step in and fill their roles,” Diunte said. “The players who are sophomores and juniors are going to be juniors and seniors; the hope is that they will improve and mature, and we see who walks in the door as freshmen.”
While all the success has certainly been welcomed, the team wants to stay on track with their goals. Although duplicating their playoff run may not be easy, Diunte has faith in his players.
“We would like to [do the] same or better than what we did,” Diunte said. “I think the kids are up to the challenge and they see what they have to do to be prepared.”
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
The leadership for the High School for Math, Science, and Engineering Girls' Softball team
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| Team Photo/ HSMSE Yearbook |
Faulds and Rodriguez have emerged as great leaders of the team. Both strived to create a drive within the team. The Dragons in years prior were somewhat indifferent to the outcome of the games. This season both captains found themselves evoking a stronger will in their teammates. Rodriguez has attributed the better play of the team to the increased desire of the team members.
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| Pre-Game Photo/ Hussien Hamade |
The HSMSE Dragons girls' softball team’s leadership is more vocal than it has been in years prior. The two team captains tend to be more stern with the players than past leaders. This tough love seemed to motivate the players to improve upon their skills . The players now have a sense of camaraderie. Players no longer play for themselves, rather they play as the Dragons.
“Even though me and Taylor are tough on the team, they’re now more motivated because they know they’re not trying for themselves, but for the team,” Rodriguez said.
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