The girls’ varsity basketball team held its annual Senior Night game on Feb. 7, where seniors Kaelynn O’Brien, Caityblu Cavassa, and Tyla Vuotto were honored in their final regular season game at The Barn. The 15-2 Owls headed into the game with a chance to increase their ranking in the playoffs, inching closer to honor of Conference Champions at the end of the season.

Coach Stephen LoCicero felt that the seniors played a crucial role in the team’s success this season. “These seniors have given everything to the program, so without that leadership and togetherness, we’re never as good as we were tonight,” he said.

The game was neck-and-neck in the first quarter. Lynbrook got off to a slow start but maintained the lead at the end of the first quarter. This remained the same in the second, as a 19-point quarter for the Knights would give them a 2-point lead heading into halftime, 30-28.

Lynbrook picked up their play in the second half, outscoring Floral Park 32-13, tripling the Knights’ points in the fourth 12-4, to set up an easy path to victory, 60-43.

Vuotto contributed 14 points, along with 4 steals in the win. Sophomore Cate Jennings had arguably one of her best games of the season, posting a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Senior Caityblu Cavassa also added to the box score with her own double-double, posting 10 points and 11 rebounds in the victorious effort.

LoCicero loved what he saw in the seniors throughout the win. “The biggest factor tonight was the senior leadership. Every girl that touched the floor tonight was incredible, along with our three seniors leading the way, but without that leadership, you don’t pull out a win in that close of a game,” he said.

Last year, the Owls fell short of the Conference Finals at the hands of Floral Park. Senior Tyla Vuotto said that the team was extremely motivated heading into the game: “They were our only loss in league games the entire season, so everyone was eager to win this game.”

The Owls had the opportunity to clinch the title of Conference Champions with a win in their final regular season game against Plainedge on Friday, February 10. Cate Jennings believed that the team could definitely finish the job. “We’ve been playing hard in practice, pushing each other to get ready for this game and the next to come. As long as we keep doing what we do best, we’ll be a tough team to beat,” said Jennings.

Finishing 17-2 on the year after a 53-44 win over Plainedge, the Owls were crowned champions of their conference, clinching the #1 seed in the A-IV Conference for the playoffs. The winner of Thursday’s matchup between #18 Clarke and #15 Sewanhaka will play the Owls at The Barn on Saturday at 11:00 AM. The girls will need all the support they can get, as they will attempt to make a run towards the championship in Coach LoCicero’s final year at LHS.