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Sports

No Talk of Rebuilding For Girls Basketball

Despite graduating four of five starters, Sayville will look to continue its tradition of post-season appearances.

For fans of Sayville girls basketball, graduating four of five starters can give pause for concern. But with Phil DePompeo still at the helm, fans can assume there's a post-season in their future.

Now in his 22nd year as head coach, DePompeo has only missed the playoffs once. So despite having to put a new starting five on the floor, the pre-season outlook for the Lady Golden Flashes always looks good.

"This year is definitely going to be a challenge," DePompeo said. "We're in a good league, and we've graduated four starters. It'll be up to our seniors."

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One senior that will be looked to for leadership is forward Julia DePompeo, younger sister of 2009 graduate Jasmine — who was one of only two Sayville players (the other was Lauren Surber) to score 1,000 points in her career — and 2006 graduate Jaimee, currently playing college basketball in Pennsylvania. Oh yes, Julia is also the youngest daughter of the Sayville coach.

Sayville's one returning starter is senior forward Kelsey Clair, the team's best rebounder. "She's a smart girl," DePompeo said. "She knows the speed of the game."  

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Sayville Offensively

Senior Marissa Kahane will run the offense from her point guard position. DePompeo runs what he describes as a "press and run" style. "We want to push the ball down the court," he said. "That's normally our style. And we don't have a lot of big kids."

Sophomore Amy Dean returns in her second year on varsity. "She can slash to the basket or take a three pointer," DePompeo said. "She has a complete game."  

Sayville Defensively            

When talking about his defense, DePompeo is quick to point out that the last three years, his teams have given up a county-best 37 points per game average. "No matter the game, we're always in the game," he said, thanks to the Golden Flashes' defense.

Sayville runs two zones, a 1-3-1 and a 2-3, and will break down into man-to-man matchups when needed.            

A winning attitude comes not only from the coach, but also from the roster, which features no less than seven members of the Suffolk County Class A championship soccer team. "They're winners. They know that you have to work hard all the time," DePompeo said.            

"I'm a dinosaur. [The team] knows that if they're not going to work hard, they're not going to play."

Head Coach: Phil DePompeo

2009: 10-4; lost in the second round of playoffs to Kings Park

2010 League: League V

Toughest Competition: Harborfields, Kings Park                

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