For Yorktown's Sarah Bonner, the shift from sophomore to junior year entailed less facilitating and more of a multi-dimensional role in a swift-passing offensive attack.
Bolstered by angle-to-angle passing, feeding the post, and incorporating an uptick in picks and ball screens to create ample spacing for shooters, Yorktown's balance expunged demons of the past.
As a sophomore, Bonner was strictly a quarterback, orchestrating the offensive flow fresh off a clean defensive rebound.
As a junior, the multi-sport Bonner inherited a piece of the leadership mantle, putting considerable varsity experience into needed use.
Running the floor and ensuring everyone is playing their spots while kick-starting the ball movement, and kicking in the occasional hockey assist to initiate the action, Bonner's acumen as a game manager grew in 2015.
Opening up a medium range jumper and focusing more on slashing and creating her own shot, Bonner's work ethic and in-game engine were instrumental in pacing a team riding a late surge.
Paced by the scoring and interior bulldozing of Kelly Donnellan, the Huskers found consistency during a late tear.
Donnellan has been a different player ever since Yorktown gutted out a 44-39 win over Clarkstown North en route to a playoff berth last year.
Donnellan, a steady double-double threat capable of snaring those hard-to-reach boards away from the rim, turned in a game-best 24 points in that memorable win. A one-woman band at critical junctures, you may recall Donnellan rattling off personal runs and pouring in 17 of Yorktown's 20 first half points. It appeared to have set a precedent for the 2014-15 campaign.
She dropped 15 points, dissecting John Jay's defense en route to a 46-27 thrashing the day before Superbowl Sunday. Donnellan also scored 16 points in a wire-to-wire 63-35 mauling of Horace Greeley. She provided a steady target for Bonner and the guards, helping Yorktown establish a high-low game.
During a Sectional first round win over Brewster, it was forward Katie Torres who dropped a team-best 15 points on an arsenal of post moves and inside finishes.
Alyssa Frances chimed in 12. The Lady Huskers County Center aspirations deflated with a thorough 61-34 throttling by Albertus Magnus. The Falcons took a commanding 41-17 lead they never came close to squandering, pelting Yorktown with transition leakouts and burying them from beyond the arc.
Working with NY Pride AAU coach and local area trainer Aldo Redendo, whose hyper-intense and motivational tactics are capable of even making coffee nervous, Bonner looks to incorporate new facets to her basketball toolbox.
Bonner On Off-Season Work
During the off-season I was working on shooting. Throughout my high school career, I haven't shot the ball well or even at all and during the off-season I wanted to deepen my range.
On Her New Role
I define myself as a leader and a veteran by teaching the underclassmen and the newer players the offensive sets. I try to do my part in helping them adjust from the play level of J.V. and Varsity.
On Team Identity
Our identity as team offensively is speed. Fast breaks and running are key. This year, we are faster as a collective group and like to get up and down the court. Our goals from the beginning were to be a high seed come playoff time and make it to the County Center.
On A Potential One-on-One Matchup With Yorktown Boys Basketball Counterparts
If I could go one-on-one with any player on the boys team it would be (senior forward/headed to Towson for lacrosse) Nick Delbene because he's so D-I. Or Nick Dege because he's the principal's son (laughs).