In her initial season as coach of the Manhasset High School Girls Varsity Basketball Team, Suzanne Collins, a former standout player at Manhasset High School and St. John's University, led a very young girls' basketball team to a successful season, culminating in the team's participation in the playoffs. A trio of "Kates"--seniors Katie Bluhm and Katie Killeen and junior Kate Breslin, captained the team, which had only five returning varsity players.

Before the season started, the team suffered a tremendous loss when sophomore Juliet White, who had been a starter on the team as a freshman, was injured and forced to miss the entire season.

Despite this loss, the team played inspired, team-oriented, tenacious basketball--rarely succumbing to taller, more experienced and more talented opponents.

Coach Collins, ably assisted by Volunteer Coach John Kiggins Sr., routinely juggled the starting lineup so that virtually the entire team saw substantial playing time. Two freshmen were key contributors to the team's success. Laura Mollins brought quality scoring, rebounding and defense to every game and won All-Conference honors. Alycen English always made the right play and was never out of position, either offensively or defensively. A trio of sophomores, Alison Herdemian, Kathleen Kelly and Kendra Bernard, also brought their great talents to bear. Kathleen, who was exceptional in driving to the basket with her patented left-handed lay-up, was also an adroit three-point shooter and won All-Conference honors; Kendra, a standout field hockey and lacrosse player, was a blur on the court and often was given the opponent's best scorer to handle. Alison, whose grandfather and father were renowned athletes in Manhasset, continued the family tradition of excellence and showed great promise for the future. The sole junior on the team, Captain Kate Breslin, was the starting point guard and, with her outstanding level of play, won All-County honors. Three seniors rounded out the team. Katie Bluhm bore the heavy responsibility of garnering as many rebounds as possible and she also showed a fine touch on the offensive side. Dominique Zino, a two-year member of the varsity team, was a guard who brought a great insight and understanding to each game in which she played. Finally there was Captain Katie Killeen, a four-year varsity member, whose pinpoint passing and team play helped nurture and support the much younger players.

Over all, it was an extremely successful season by a very young team, which will only get better over the next few years under Coach Collins' inspirational leadership.