The Future of the Phoenix

After yet another disappointing season last year, the Stuyvesant girls’ varsity basketball team, the Phoenix, aimed to start their new season on a positive note by prioritizing the development of their strong core of underclassmen. 

Coming off a mediocre 6-9 season, the Phoenix were eager to reestablish themselves as formidable opponents in their respective league. Their exceptional 2021-2022 season, where they finished with an impressive 12-4 record, demonstrated that they had the skill and chemistry to be top contenders in the playoffs. Despite falling short of this high standard last season, many team members were confident and hungry for success. “At the start of the season, we all had very high expectations such as securing a playoff spot,” head Coach Vincent Miller said. Unfortunately, the Phoenix would face a string of injuries and tough match-ups that would further hinder them from achieving their goal. 

While minor injuries that keep their starters out a few games at a time are nothing new to the Phoenix, major season-ending injuries are much rarer, serving as a true test of their willpower and determination. Senior guard and co-captain Ava Quarles, a valuable player on both offense and defense, suffered a devastating ankle injury just one game into the regular season. Though Quarles continued to be present and lead at games and practices, the toll of her injury on the team morale and performance was apparent. The team not only lost its starting shooting guard, but a close friend, natural leader, and smiling morale booster who brought the fun into the game. To make matters worse, minor ankle injuries constantly plagued the team. “Most of our starters had ankle injuries at some point in the season—it kind of became a motif—and this definitely hurt us. It was demoralizing for everyone else when several starters and players were out at a time,” Quarles said. Without a stable starting five, the team struggled to find the consistent rhythm necessary to stay afloat in their cutthroat league. 

The Phoenix were also repeatedly matched against some of the strongest teams in the city, who proved to be too challenging for them to overcome, even with their own well-rounded lineup. “We had to play four Staten Island teams during the season. Usually Staten Island basketball teams are some of the best and this season was no different,” Miller said. These schools, including Curtis High School, New Dorp High School, and Susan Wagner High School, are consistently ranked among the top girls’ basketball programs in the city. Even with valiant efforts from the Phoenix, these teams were simply in a league of their own. 

However, despite their record, the team had many significant accomplishments as well. After hours of hard work and dedication, the Phoenix saw major improvements in nearly all aspects of their game. Senior shooting guard and co-captain Sofia Hernandez led the team on both sides of the court, averaging an outstanding 9.38 points, 6.77 rebounds, and 0.85 assists per game, which was more than triple her statistics in each category from last season. Other upperclassmen players had major impacts throughout the season as well. Senior guard Kayla Lin commanded the offense as the second-highest scorer, senior center Sanjida Sultana was the rock of the team in rebounding and defense, and senior forward Niki Chen stepped up her offensive performances to keep the Phoenix alive in the final minutes of the game. These efforts culminated in multiple close games against tough teams, as well as games where they dominated their competition. As these seniors pass their knowledge and experience to underclassmen, it is evident that the team will continue to train diligently and excel in future years. 

One of the most disappointing losses that the team faced this season was their game against Seward Park Campus on December 15. Despite Hernandez suffering from an ankle injury early into the game, the Phoenix were able to hold their own against the strong Seward Park team, trailing by just 11 points at the end of the third quarter. With ten minutes left on the clock, they were ready and eager to make a comeback. Led by Lin and Hernandez, the Phoenix had a remarkable fourth quarter, outscoring Seward Park 12-6. Hernandez played through her injury, finishing as the team’s top scorer with 15 points in an inspiring display of grit and determination. Sophomore point guard Crystal Wu also played a significant role in the team’s success, finishing with a respectable eight points. The team ultimately fell short, losing by only five points in the final minutes of the game. With a fully healthy squad, the game would likely have ended differently for the Phoenix. 

Though the team’s performance this season may not have met their own expectations of making the playoffs, they set themselves up for success by developing their strong team of underclassmen. Out of the 17 total players on their roster this season, nine were underclassmen, a proportion higher than that of the vast majority of other PSAL teams. “We brought in six new girls and had a fully new starting five [compared to last season]. It was a transitional year, but we were still able to grow close to each other and have a really fun time together,” Quarles said. With so many young players gaining experience on the court, the Phoenix not only honed their personal playmaking skills and defensive abilities, but also prepared themselves to seamlessly transition into leadership roles in the coming seasons. “Several of our brand new players got more playing time than underclassmen have usually gotten since I’ve been on the team, and it was amazing to see them really step up their game and escape their initial nerves to play a game that we could all be proud of,” Hernandez said. Freshmen Zoe Lee and sophomore Amy Gurcharan were particularly special, bringing much-needed enthusiasm and hustle crucial throughout the season. This early exposure to the team enabled them to adjust to each other’s playing styles, enhancing team chemistry and ensuring effective teamwork. Lee and Gurcharan, along with all the other underclassmen players, will be sure to continue developing with smiles on their faces. 

There is a bright future ahead for the Phoenix. Their disappointment this season will only translate into a stronger drive to improve, and the boundless potential of their young stars means that the team is in great hands heading into next year.