Pointing The Way

Francis Lewis has fallen quite a ways since last March.
After losing to Murry Bergtraum in the PSAL Class A city championship for the fifth time in six years, four of their starters from that game - Vionca Murray, Diatiema Hill, Shatira Miller and Kristina Ford - all moved on. The first three are playing Division I basketball; Ford is at Notre Dame Prep and should join them next fall.
The other starter? That would be the shy, soft-spoken point guard, Sylvia Davis. A fine role player, she would never be confused with one of the team's leaders, specifically Hill, the Patriots' pulse and the school's all-time leader in steals and assists.
&#8220It's really not her personality to be the vocal, take charge kind of leader,” Francis Lewis Coach Mike Eisenberg said, &#8220but I told Sylvia (at the beginning of the season), ‘we need you do that.'”
This year one could tell the difference in Davis by speaking with the St. Albans native, by watching her instruct the other Patriots, or by even simply tracing their steps as they look for her on each possession or rebound or turnover. By default, the 5-foot-4 junior with the black ponytail is the Francis Lewis girls basketball program.
&#8220She certainly has more responsibility than she did last year,” Eisenberg said. &#8220Maybe that has gotten her out of her shyness.”
Francis Lewis has seen their streak of 79 straight wins in the borough snapped, their domination and reputation slowly crumble. However, lost in the rubble, amidst the ruins, stands Davis. Gone is the quiet kid that so often deferred to Hill and Murray. In her place is a cool, confident floor general, the one everyone now leans on.
&#8220I think she has more confidence in herself,” said senior Michele Runko, a teammate of Davis's for three years.
&#8220I have to be (the leader),” Davis said after leading the Patriots to a recent win over August Martin. &#8220I was talkative, but now, everybody's telling me I have to be more vocal on the court, talk more. I had it in me, but now I'm using it.”
An instinctive pass-first lead guard, Davis still needs to be reminded by coaches and teammates to be more aggressive almost daily. &#8220We always tell her to shoot more,” Runko said. &#8220Her shot's like water - it goes in almost every time.”
Twice this season, she put up a doughnut - not coincidentally, both Francis Lewis losses. In their four division wins, Davis has averaged just over 16 points a game and six assists.
At times inconsistent, Eisenberg is extremely demanding of Davis. In the August Martin victory, she failed to box out and for other reasons the coach wouldn't disclose, he pulled her in the game's opening minute.
&#8220He's hard on me,” Davis said. &#8220He expects more so he's going to be rougher. That's okay. I can't be average. I have to have a good game.”
The Patriots looked completely out of sorts the rest of the quarter, cobbling together a few buckets to take a paltry 8-6 lead after the opening quarter. Then Davis entered at the start of the second, promptly drilling a trio of 3-pointers, helping Francis Lewis build a large lead they wouldn't relinquish, which snapped a two-game Queens AA losing streak.
&#8220The team relies on me,” said Davis, who's received recruiting letters from Seton Hall and Rider among others. &#8220I have to tell everyone where to go. I love it.”
Davis even slightly resembles Hill when talking about her team. Without any hint of doubt in her voice, she points to the youth of the program, the juniors and sophomores who will only improve, how there are no superstars to carry the load - modestly ignoring her potential - that will force the entire roster to contribute, a definite positive she maintains. Davis only sees the bright future ahead.
&#8220If we play together,” she said, &#8220we're going to be good. We have a great team here. … I know these girls can play. We're gradually getting better.”