Freeport involved in all close games

With 11 games in the books and adversity in the form of a season-ending injury to one of its senior leaders, Freeport girls’ basketball head coach Meredith Jones remains encouraged by a scrappy young team she expects to improve while keeping the Nassau Class AAA playoffs in sight.
“We’ve been in every game because we’re playing so hard and bringing the defense,” Jones said. “We’re adjusting to having only one or two seniors on the court most of the time, but the young ones are growing up fast with all of the close-game situations. Almost every game has come down to the last couple of possessions.”
The Red Devils entered this week with an overall mark of 5-6, including a split of its first two Conference AAA games. In the fourth game, however, senior Queenasha Ellis suffered a torn ACL in a non-conference victory over South Side ending her high school basketball career.
“It’s a big loss because Queenasha contributed to our offense and we’re averaging less than 40 points per game,” Jones said. “She’s a great athlete and defender and her experience was important. She’s been vocal from the bench and trying to help any way she can.”
Guard/forward combo Nia Phillips is Freeport’s lone starting senior and also its leading scorer, pouring in about 13 points per game. Phillips had an interesting night Dec. 21, sealing a 45-37 win over Oceanside by knocking down all but one of her eight free throw attempts in crunch time. She finished with a team-high 16 points, with 14 coming from the charity stripe.

“From a leadership standpoint, it’s all on Nia’s shoulders and she’s carrying the burden really well,” Jones said. “Teams also know she’s our main point producer, but she’s doing a great job despite all the attention.”
The offense is in the hands of freshman point guard Sabrina Ligonde, who is averaging 6.8 points per game and keeping turnovers to a minimum. Her career high so far of 13 came in the win over Oceanside. She’s a three-sport varsity athlete (soccer and lacrosse) and coming into her own on the court, Jones noted. “I’m so proud of Sabrina,” she said. “She played in our rotation last season and was third or fourth off the bench. Now she’s growing into a leader and more aggressive offensively.”
Another freshman, Madison Harris, has made a smooth transition from the middle school team to the varsity level. The 5-foot-9 forward leads Freeport in rebounds, averaging 8.5 per game, and chipping in 6 points per contest. “She’s quickly become a workhorse for us,” Jones said.
Sophomores Madison Starks and Leah Gaddist are vital parts of the starting five and helping the Red Devils set the defensive tone. Off the bench, eighth-grade shooting guard Lalia Harrison (7.5 ppg, second-leading scorer behind Phillips) has been strong offensively, while senior Brianne Belizaire is a key contributor at both ends.
The top eight finishers in the 12-team Conference AAA qualify for the playoffs.