By Marc Raimondi
Mary Louis’ girls’ basketball squad is the team so many are talking about heading into the season. With the two best freshmen in New York City and exceptional returning players, led by George Mason-bound slasher Reana Mohamed, the Hilltoppers are everyone’s chic pick to finish at or near the top of loaded CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens Division I.
Joe Lewinger hasn’t bought into the hype.
“People talked about the Jets and look where they are,” the coach said with a laugh.
While expectations might be high, and rightfully so, it’s Lewinger’s job to rein his players in, to not let them get too big for their britches before the first ball has been tipped in the 2011-12 season.
“I don’t think people should say we’re gonna win,” Mohamed said. “We don’t know what could happen. We need to keep working on what we’re doing, perfect what we’re good at and work on the things that we’re weak at so we can actually win.”
It’s easy to see why Mary Louis is getting attention, though. Despite the loss of New York Post All-City first team talent Karin Robinson, the Hilltoppers bring back Mohamed and junior Jasmine Nwajei, who is also getting Division I looks, in the backcourt, along with shooters Kristen Podlovits and Olivia Ilardi. In the frontcourt, a slimmed down, 5-foot-10 Elisabeth Gully will patrol the middle with improving Kate Goldman.
Then there are the additions. Freshman point guard Mei Lyn Bautista and freshman wing Jordan Agustus are likely to be ranked nationally in the class of 2015. Junior guard Emily Arias, up from the JV, will see minutes and freshman guard McKayla Hernandez should also contribute.
“They’re exceptional basketball players,” Lewinger said of the top freshmen. “I think they’re fitting in right away.”
Last year, Mary Louis beat Christ the King for the first time ever in the CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens semifinals and made a third straight diocesan title game, the longest current streak. The Hilltoppers program has steadily grown under Lewinger, who returns this year after a leave of absence to be with his family.
Lewinger, also the school’s athletic director, stepped away last year and in the early part of the 2008-09 season with his young twins, Madison and Jack, battling cancer, leaving the team in the able hands of assistants Kevin White and JoAnn Arbitello. Both children are now cancer-free.
Lewinger, who hopes to be back for good, is not ready to say his team is approaching the next step in its development. His goal is simply to be playing fundamental basketball and he feels the players’ natural athleticism will shine through.
“I think if we do worry what the next step is, we’ll miss the step that we’re on right now,” Lewinger said. “I told them, ‘I think we’re very good. With that aside, we’re gonna play basketball the right way and the rest will take care of itself.’”
Along with its loaded league schedule featuring Nazareth, Christ the King, Bishop Ford and the like, Mary Louis plays tough non-leagues against Murry Bergtraum, Long Island Lutheran and Moore Catholic, along with going to a strong event in Georgia.
Though expectations are tempered for now, there’s no doubting the goal.
“Now it’s time to be champions,” Nwajei said. “We want to be that team. That team that everybody wants to be like.”
