March 16, 2025
By Nikalena Iacono
Managing Editor
In the first round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament on Feb. 27, the girls basketball team fell just one point short against Science Park High School in Newark. The away game came down to the final seconds, in which LHS lost 41-42.
Junior power forward Gianna Lembo, who has played on varsity for two seasons, said she is disappointed with the outcome of the state game.
“I know we are better than what we showed, and it just stinks that the season had to end because of it,” Lembo said.
She said although the players executed their offensive plays well, they could have made more shots, gotten more stops on defense and avoided turning the ball over.
Despite her disappointment about the final game, Lembo said she enjoyed being part of the team this season.
“I learned this season to have more fun and care less about the things I can’t control,” Lembo said.
She said whether the players were practicing or playing a game, they always had fun.
“We are so close with each other, and it [made] a difference on the court,” Lembo said.
The team ended its regular season with a 15-10 record following a 55-53 victory on Feb. 20 against Leonia High School.
“The team’s bond allow[ed] us to win many games. We truly play[ed] well together,” Lembo said.
She said a moment she will never forget is making a three-point shot during the senior game at home against Elmwood Park High School on Feb. 13. This game ended with a 44-38 win for LHS.
“I felt so excited and hyped because it gave us a better chance to win an important game for our seniors,” Lembo said.
Lembo did not play on the team during her sophomore year, but compared to her freshman year, she said the most significant difference was the coaching change.
Head Coach Kesack, who is in his first season as head coach, was previously the boys basketball assistant coach for four years.
“I learned this season to have more fun and care less about the things I can’t control.”
“The team can connect and have fun with [Coach Kesack], and the vibes are simply better,” Lembo said.
Senior center Jolie Paz-Garcia, who has been on varsity since her freshman year, said this season taught her that all athletes face challenges. She said how they respond to these struggles determines the outcome.
Paz-Garcia said the team is resilient.
“The best part of the season has been how we’ve played as a team and how we’ve all been able to come together, especially through hard times,” Paz-Garcia said.
She said her biggest obstacle was keeping her body healthy after dislocating her left knee as a sophomore and partially dislocating her right knee this season.
“It’s tough, but [I was] able to keep playing, and I just remind[ed] myself that this is the last season I [had] to play basketball,” Paz-Garcia said.
Senior captain and point guard Sam Mayer, who has also been on varsity since her freshman year, said this season she felt the absence of junior forward Brooke Harper and senior guard Kyla Marino, both of whom were out due to ACL injuries.
“They were key players last year, so it was hard trying to adjust to not having them,” Mayer said. “This season [was] more challenging because we had a harder schedule and unfortunate injuries throughout the season.”
Mayer described the team as reliable.
“We are always there for each other whether it’s on or off the court. When one of us is having a bad game, we all rally together to make sure we focus back on winning,” said Mayer.
