Bellport Girls Basketball clinch the playoffs

The Bellport Girls Varsity Basketball team clinched a playoff spot with their recent back-to-back wins over Centereach and West Babylon. 

“No one can stop us,” said senior power forward Autumn Simon, crediting the team’s success in part to the team’s work ethic at practice where teammates work together to motivate, push, and support each other. 

Senior Point Guard Brynn Johnsen echoed this sentiment and said the team’s success is also due in part to spending time at practice on team-building exercises such as yoga and community team circles. She credits assistant coach Powell with putting the team’s mental health above all else and for always being a listening ear. Powell, she said, pays close attention to each player and offers support with issues both on and off the court. 

“It is the year of the lady clippers,” said second-year head coach Rynese Smith. 

Her number one message to the girls is to stay disciplined and to execute. She said she believes in them and when they are locked, they are hard to beat.

Both coach Smith and Brynn Johnsen believe they have one of the toughest defenses in the league. The Clippers let up an average of 41 points per game and both their defensive toughness and offensive firepower were on full display against league leader West Babylon scoring 71 points while holding the opposition to only 47 points.

The regular season culminates with a home game against West Islip on Feb. 14 at 5:15 p.m. at Bellport High School. The playoffs are set to begin on Feb. 21.