After playing four league games, with a record of 3-1, it seems that this may be the year that the Academy Girls Basketball team really settles into the competitiveness of the Colonial Council.

In past years, the Academy Girls Basketball team has had its ups and downs. Not only has the team struggled with numbers, but also with the new league they now participate in. This will be the team’s second year competing in the Colonial Council. Head Coach Anthony Cioffi, new this year, admits: “This league is definitely a challenge for the girls, but not too tough of a challenge. The girls can handle it, and the team deserves to be in this league.” After suffering a tough one-point loss at the team’s season opener against Cohoes, the girls have gotten past that loss, and have not looked back. The team has won every game played since then: a nine point win against Lansingburgh, a formidable opponent in the Colonial Council; a seemingly easy win over Ravena (56-35), and their latest win, 58 to 33 over Cobleskill. From the results of these games, there is no telling how far the Academy Girls Basketball team will go.

Though they are in a fairly new league, the team’s starting line up is not new to the Girl Varsity Basketball stage. Jill Verde, Amanda Cioffi, Shelby Benson, and Kara Carman have played on the Girls Academy Varsity Basketball team since their sophomore year. J’Vanay Santos, a sophomore, transferred to Academy last year, starting as a freshman and a sophomore this year. However this is not to say that these are the only players. Anna Bryce and Carylann Geddess, two new and talented freshman, have also made their contributions to the team. With experience and talent, the Academy Girls Basketball team can only improve.

So what should we expect this season? Coach Cioffi says, “The girls are improving more and more every day. They worked hard over the summer, and they work hard in practice. We are winning now, and you can expect to see that pattern continue. Not only do I expect them to win, but so do the girls.” In terms of important games, look out for Academy vs. Academy of the Holy Names, Tuesday, December 22 at Academy at 6:00 pm, and Academy vs. Lansingburgh, Friday, January 15 at 6:00 pm, also at home.

Stayed tuned as we follow the Girls Academy Basketball’s ’09-’10 season.