Baldwin girls and boys basketball teams look to bring more titles to school
The headline even puts “win” on point for Baldwin.
With the Lady Bruins just snagging the state crown and the boys claiming the Long Island title last year, the next season’s lineup has plenty of buzz. Senior forward Leah Williams grinned when she told The Post, “Every day, we talk about going back‑to‑back.” She added, “Last year definitely taught me that it starts right now. It doesn’t start in March.”
Williams says the team’s flawless finish—a nail‑biting 50‑48 win over Aquinas Institute of Rochester—was made possible by the senior leadership that was missing in 2023, a gap that had cost them that year. “We knew we needed people to step up,” 12th‑grade guard Alyssa Polonia said.
The effort paid off, forging a tight bond on the squad, as Williams recalled, “The seniors became my best friends,” and “They were really close to me, and whenever I have something going on in my personal life, I would always lean on them, and they would always be there.”
Beyond the leadership angle, keeping a relaxed vibe on the court helped the girls excel. “It didn’t feel too serious; they kind of took the pressure off,” Polonia added. “I was having fun with it at the same time.”
From junior to Bruin
Today, veterans like Williams and Polonia are stepping up to mentor the new crop of Lady Bruins, who need a touch more guidance from time to time. “I feel like they kind of need that somebody just to push them and keep them going,” Polonia said, recalling how she first learned the game by beating her brothers. “We play very fast, so they need to be able to handle that and play hard,” she added.
The seniors pass their own lessons on finishing strong. “We’re just talking about our experience and what we had to go through,” Williams, whose dad was a Bruin in his teens, said. “And how we think that our group, especially because not every group is the same, is going to get to that level.”
Bear down
The boys also feel the Lady Bruins’ momentum. Junior guard Mical St. Jean, a varsity player last season, said, “I think them wearing the state championship motivates us even more toward the state championship this year.” “I think we have the same grind as them. I love their team … but the one thing I don’t like is losing.”
Last year’s boys made a splash by winning the LIC title over Amityville, 75‑56, but fell short in the first round of state regionals to Tappan Zee, 44‑38. “Now we know what to expect because that was our first time being there as a team,” senior center Gabriel Phillips, who missed the season with a torn ACL, said.
Point guard Ethan Sainsbury shared the same confidence, stating, “A rematch against them, I think we’ll win.” The upcoming season will be a different story with Phillips sidelined, but he plans to stay influential from the bench. “The people that are taking my spot, it’s on me to show them the way and what to do right, what not to do wrong,” he said. “Just become a role model to them, help them persevere.”
Baldwin bling
Longtime head coach Darius Burton has brought a bit of sparkle to the program. “I never leave home without it,” he explained, referring to a jeweler’s friend who enlarged his Long Island championship ring to match an NBA title size. The glittering symbol now shines on the gym floor.
“It motivates me,” St. Jean said. “Going back‑to‑back on Long Island, that is the goal — and then some more.”
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
