Scholars Academy Girls Varsity Hand Construction Trades First Loss of the Season

By Coach Lu, Program Director – Team Crate

Monday, January 12 afternoon’s matchup between Scholars’ Academy and HS for Construction Trades, Engineering & Architecture carried significant meaning for Rockaway’s own grassroots AAU basketball program, Team Crate, as three of the program’s high school athletes—Scholars freshmen Kate Tyminski and Gina Franzone and Construction Trades sophomore Margaret Palisi—faced off after normally competing together on the Team Crate travel team under Coach Jeffrey Amponsah. Team Crate coaches and families were in attendance to support all three athletes in a competitive and spirited local showdown.

On the court, Scholars delivered a composed and disciplined performance, earning a 59–46 victory and handing Construction its first loss of the season. Scholars jumped out early and maintained the lead throughout the game, though Construction made several determined second-half pushes in an effort to protect its undefeated record, keeping the contest intense until the final minutes.

Senior captain Kaitlyn Palmese set the tone, finishing with 11 points, four assists, and eight rebounds, providing steady leadership and control as the pace picked up. Junior Meghan Burns delivered a significant offensive spark, scoring 15 points while knocking down multiple three-pointers that stretched the defense and helped Scholars answer key runs.

Freshman starters Tyminski and Franzone continued to establish themselves as a dynamic duo. Acting as the primary ball handler, Tyminski led all scorers with 18 points, while also adding six assists and eight rebounds, controlling tempo and facilitating the offense. Franzone, a 6-foot lefty, made her presence felt defensively—altering possessions, rattling opponents, and controlling the glass with a game-high 13 rebounds—while also contributing 10 points.

Additional contributions came from sophomore Annabel Akhere, who added two points and six rebounds, and senior Jenna Mikell, who pulled down 10 rebounds and added a free throw. Seniors Maeve McKeever and Riley Mills provided valuable defensive minutes and energy as Scholars worked to maintain their advantage.

Construction showed resilience throughout the second half, narrowing the margin and applying pressure behind strong individual efforts. Broad Channel’s own sophomore Margaret Palisi delivered a strong performance against her Team Crate teammates, finishing with 14 points, including a mix of finishes at the basket, a three-pointer, and trips to the free-throw line. Her quick first step, aggressive drives, and fast-paced play fueled scoring runs that kept the game competitive.

Construction also received a strong contribution from Kiley Marcela Esteban, who scored 12 points, including a three-pointer, providing additional offensive support as Construction continued to battle. Together, their efforts underscored why Construction entered the game undefeated and made Scholars earn every possession.

Under the guidance of head coach Rich George, Scholars remained composed down the stretch, responding to each push with timely baskets, defensive stops, and strong rebounding to close out the win.

Beyond the final score, the game highlighted the depth of local talent and the shared respect among athletes competing across school and travel programs. Team Crate is proud to support all of its players as they continue to represent their schools and communities with effort, competitiveness, and sportsmanship.