If there ever was an event that epitomizes the Croton-Harmon school spirit, it might just be the girls’ varsity basketball team playing at the Westchester County Center earlier this week. Catapulted to the sectional semi-finals by their victory over Irvington, the team played at the County Center for the first time in 25 years! What an accomplishment.
Croton-Harmon not only sent a team of talented girls to the semi-finals, but also cheerleaders, two busloads of students, and administrators, teachers, and parents resulting in a very impressive Croton cheering section.
Croton Athletic Director DJ Goldman says it was fantastic to be there and be part of the excitement. "One of the great pleasures of my job is to watch a team work, grow and succeed together, and the girls’ varsity basketball team is a perfect example of this,” he said. “We are thrilled that the team had the opportunity to play at the County Center, but we are even more proud of their performance on and off the court throughout the season."
Three seniors - Cassidy Croce, Maddie Sena, and Emma Windrum - have been leading the team throughout the season. Not only have they helped control the game and the players’ spirits as it's being played, they have created a cohesive, supportive team throughout this season. Under the leadership of Head Coach Donny Lucas and Assistant Coach Isabella Zappa, the team had an impressive 14-9 overall record, a 4-4 league record, and finished second place in their league. It was Coach Lucas’s first year at Croton, having coached in Bronxville for more than 15 years.
While they lost the sectional semi-finals to Westlake, it wasn’t for lack of effort or heart. The girls brought their A-game, and their fans backed them up with enthusiastic support.
Superintendent Stephen Walker says he wouldn’t have missed the game for the world. “It was so important to bring our student cheering section to the County Center, and to have so many community members in attendance. Croton-Harmon is a special place that consistently comes together to support one another - be that to celebrate accomplishments or to provide assistance during challenging times. At this game, it was great to be among so many cheering on our Tigers.”
This was the first time in several years that the County Center hosted high school basketball because of the Covid pandemic, and Croton-Harmon is proud to have participated in this celebratory return to the court.
