The Suffolk women’s basketball team suffered a tough season-ending 57-53 overtime defeat to Hostos Community College in the Region XV quarterfinal.
“It’s always disappointing when you lose a game, especially one that ends your season,” Rebecca Levy, head coach of the women’s basketball team, said in an email. “The loss tells us that we have more work to do, but regardless, we are proud of our season and what we’ve accomplished in the last three years here.”
Now in her third year as head coach, Levy noted that while the team has reached the playoffs every year of her tenure, the last two seasons have represented their strongest performances to date.
“Success doesn’t happen overnight, rather it is the outcome of putting in the effort and preparation day after day,” she said, confident in the team’s hard work and perseverance. “We talk a lot about playing for each other and the importance of having a space and group of people to rely on. Our road to the playoffs was filled with highs and lows, but we learned that we are not defined by any one individual moment, rather by how we handle them, celebrate the highs, and recover from the lows.”
Despite the loss, the team is keeping a positive mindset and using it as motivation for the next season. “It’s my hope that my returning players will remember what the loss felt like and use that as their ‘why’ to improve their game over the next several months,” Levy said. “We have a tremendous respect for the quality of basketball played in our region and hope to work to bring Suffolk a championship in the future.”
Softball Focused on Mental Readiness
For the softball program, the challenge is shifting from the gym to the dirt. Joe Cina, entering his 12th year as head coach following a decade as an assistant baseball coach, acknowledged that the team was still finding its footing after being restricted to indoor practices in February.
“We will be mentally ready when the season starts. So, are we ready now? Probably not. We haven’t been outside yet,” Cina said. He added that as the players spend more time together on the field, they will develop the mental toughness required for the long season ahead.
The coaching staff also sees a bridge between the program’s past and future. Assistant coach Giana Postiglione, a former player for the team, described the move to the dugout as an “interesting transition” but an exciting one. For veteran players like first baseman and catcher Alyssa Mueller, the season is fueled by a lifelong passion for the game. “I’ve been playing since I was 5 years old… I just have a love for it that I can’t get rid of,” Mueller said.
Baseball Eyes Success and Advancement
The baseball team is also grappling with the elements, waiting for the weather to break so they can begin their schedule. Head coach Keith Blumour, returning for his second stint at Suffolk after previously serving as an assistant in 2013, is eager to get his squad out of the facility.
“Unfortunately, we’ve been trapped inside here for the last month and a half,” Blumour said. “We’re supposed to get outside this week for our first games, but we’re not sure if the weather’s going to allow that to happen.”
Despite the weather delays, Blumour remains focused on the program’s dual mission: winning games and promoting player development. He cited the program’s “great history of success” as a primary motivator for his return, noting that he aims to help his players successfully transfer to four-year colleges.
As the teams prepare for long bus rides and the grind of the schedule, the sentiment across all programs remains one of anticipation. “Been preparing all season and all fall and ready to finally start the season,” said pitcher Luca Occhiogrosso.
