February has been much more fun compared to the end of December and first half of January for Sewanhaka senior Ashley Vigliotti, who battled an ankle injury and the flu for three weeks before helping the defending Nassau and Long Island Class A girls’ basketball champions return to the postseason.
Last Friday night, her sick shooting led the No. 12 Lady Indians to a 50-39 victory over No. 21 West Hempstead in an outbracket playoff game. Vigliotti hit three of four attempts from behind the arc and scored 11 of her game-high 16 points in the first half and grabbed nine rebounds as the hosts led from start to finish.
“We felt good in warmups and had a lot of energy,” Vigliotti said. “We knew we had to be there for each other and I thought we passed the ball really well. We were focused.”
Seniors Samirah Akinwunmi (11) and Mia Weinschreider (10) also scored in double figures, senior Angelica Lazo added eight points and six assists, and senior Nia Lariosa had 12 rebounds and five blocks for Sewanhaka (8-12), which advanced to face fifth-seeded Plainedge this Thursday. The Rams (9-8) got 11 points apiece from sophomore Sanaia Estime and senior Korrina Plair.
“We’re a different offense with Ashley in the lineup,” Sewanhaka head coach Alex Soupios said. “She missed the entire first half of the conference schedule and teams just packed into a zone and dared us to shoot. With Mia and Nia down low and Samirah’s ability to slash to the basket, it just makes us that much more dangerous. And Angelica has a great motor and toughness.”