After an unfortunate ending to last season, the Lynbrook Owls basketball team is fired up and ready to get the ball rolling this season. The Owls got off on the right foot Friday, Dec. 1, when they opened their season with an overwhelming 62-43 victory over Mineola. They followed that win up with victories over Island Trees and Roslyn but lost their first game of the season on Tuesday, Dec. 12 to Seawanhaka. The Owls, whose offense has looked sharp as ever thus far, did not trail in each of their first two games.

Head Coach Jamie Adams was extremely happy with his team’s performance so far, stating, “We knew going that these teams might not be as talented as us, but they gave us everything they had.”

Junior Rylan Blondo led the Owls in scoring against Mineola, pouring in 24 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists, and is currently averaging 22 points per game. “He’s our guy,” commented Coach Adams. “The other guys know that we go where Rylan goes. It’s really important that he sets the tone offensively and defensively. He’s our emotional leader. He keeps us going. He’s our engine.”

Blondo agrees that his attitude is critical to the success of the team. “These guys look to me,” Blondo said. “If I’m down, they’re gonna be down. But if I’m up and I’m clapping and getting into it, they’re gonna get into it too.”

More than a dozen players from last year as well as two starters returned this year, which leaves very little room for sophomores and freshmen who may already be ready to contribute at the varsity level. Despite this, one of the few new faces to the roster has already proven that he belongs. Sophomore John Malinka, a 6’7” center, scored eight points in his varsity debut on Friday, and he has already padded his stats with countless rebounds and some monstrous blocks. “I’m just looking to help the team,” Malinka said. “We have a lot of great players, and we can go really far this year.” Coach Adams believes that Malinka’s success will depend on his self-confidence and attitude more than anything else. “Malinka’s biggest thing is that he has to believe he belongs here. He’s really growing into that role of understanding that he’s an important player for us. The other players love him, and he’s definitely given us something that we haven’t had here in a while.”

The Owls, who seek a return to the playoffs after last year’s run, will look to continue their success at their next game home against Long Beach on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 12:00 pm.