Peter LaMarca doesn’t need to know what else is out there. The McKee/Staten Island Tech coach will go to battle with his star duo of Kristen Markoe and Kaitlyn Astel over just about any other tandem in the city. It doesn’t matter if few outside the Island are aware of them.
“[Markoe] and Kaitlyn together have to be one of the best 1-2s in the city,” he said. “I don’t care what anyone says.”
Markoe, a senior, is a tough as nails guard who can shoot the lights out and play terrific defense. Astel, a sophomore small forward, is long, athletic and can score from all over the court. With those two leading the way, the Sea Gulls should be the heavy favorite to win Staten Island this season and earn a berth in the PSAL Class AA playoffs.
“From what I see so far, I can’t see why not,” LaMarca said.
Astel, who is 5-foot-9, is on the verge of a break-out season. Last year as a freshman, she came off the bench with flashes of brilliance, but now, the coach said, she’s budding into a star.
“She’s doing unbelievable,” LaMarca said. “She has matured. … She had the physical ability last year. There’s always just that not knowing in the beginning. It’s very, very tough.”
MSIT also returns lengthy junior center Alicea Ulmer, who has also improved.
“She’s gotten so much better every year on the low post,” LaMarca said. “We’re expecting a big season from her.”
However, after Ulmer there are plenty of question marks. Three freshmen guards – Alexandra Trezza, Gabriella Marinaccio and Kelin Walsh – will all see significant playing time. LaMarca said his rule about not starting freshmen might have to go out the window in 2009-10. All three are tough, he said, and play excellent defense, have no fear and pass the ball.
“That’s all I need from them,” LaMarca said. “I don’t need them to score. They’re buying into it.”
Also in the mix for minutes are three girls up from JV: juniors Dominique Mitchell and Deanna Rivera and sophomore Olivia Iacono. Sophomore Brenna DeRosa, LaMarca said, will also contribute. Aside from Markoe, Astel and Ulmer, though, he has no idea what his starting lineup or rotation will look like.
“I don’t know what I’m gonna do,” LaMarca said.
The only thing for certain is McKee/Staten Island Tech will be improved. The Sea Gulls finished 11-3, tied for second place in Staten Island A with Tottenville. Prior to that, they had won four division titles in a row and in 2007-08 were the No. 2 seed in the citywide PSAL Class AA playoffs.
LaMarca’s goals aren’t too lofty, but he knows his team dominated Midwood in a scrimmage last weekend. The rest of the city could be in for the same kind of surprise.
“We look young,” he said. “I think we’re gonna sneak up on some people.”