Akiem’s Long Island 2026 Guards to Watch (Part 3)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>October signifies that we are in the fourth quarter of 2024. Summer having transitioned to Fall means many things across Long Island – including the countdown to the final weeks and days before the start of another high school girls basketball season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Throughout the last several weeks, Prep Girls Hoops New York has placed an emphasis on Nassau and Suffolk counties and the laundry list of talent that occupies that area. We at first mentioned many of its standout 2025s and have since began shifted our focus to 2026s.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Without further ado, here are even more junior guards that fans across Long Island ought to keep in mind this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1137993' first='Sandra' last='Clarke']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Westhampton Beach","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670025cc20d6a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Only two teams were responsible for blemishes on Westhampton Beach's schedule from last season. One was East Meadow and the other was Commack – and neither was a blowout. Prior to arriving on the scene with the Hurricanes, Clarke was in the Upstate at Ithaca. Even if Clarke has an off game in terms of her scoring, she can make a positive impact for her team in other ways – such as with her rebounding and passing. One can put Clarke at either the one or the two and a team will greatly benefit. An accurate 3-point shot is also part of her offensive arsenal.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1138003' first='Emma' last='Burmeister']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lindenhurst ","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Team Lightning","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670025cc20dfa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We move to, yet, another standout from the Island that not only is strong at basketball but also strong at lacrosse. Burmeister primarily operates at the one and was a bright spot for a Lindenhurst team that won six games in 2023-24. Four of those victories came against league foes Sachem North and Copiague. One of those wins over Sachem North occurred in a close contest where Burmeister tallied 23 points, hauled in seven rebounds, dished out four assists and connected on the game-winning free throw in a 49-48 decision. Along with scoring, passing and getting in position for rebounds, defense, 3-point shooting and efficient running of the floor are other positive elements to her game.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1138009' first='Mia' last='Betancourt']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12123","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Mount Sinai","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Team Lightning HGSL Blanco","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670025cc20e6e"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">By virtue of Mount Sinai's 15-6 record that was compiled last season, the Mustangs made plenty of waves on the court in 2023-24. A good argument can be made that Betancourt's best game occurred in a 78-64 win over Bayport-Blue Point – another tough out. In that game, Betancourt mustered a triple-double with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists. Another of Betancourt's noteworthy performances occurred against Harborfields where she scored 17 points, grabbed seven boards and sent out seven dimes. During the spring and summer months of AAU, Betancourt has sported the uniform and colors of Team Lightning Blanco HGSL.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"[player_tooltip player_id='1138018' first='Gabby' last='Himmelstein']","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"5'8u0022","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"12125","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"St. Dominic","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"Team Lightning Blanco HGSL","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670025cc20edd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We move from one Team Lightning Blanco HGSL product to another. Prior to arriving on the scene at St. Dominic, Himmelstein wore the red and black of Syosset. Look out for if Himmelstein has the rock behind the 3-point arc because she is likely to take – and make – her tries from deep. Himmelstein's primarily spot is as a shooting guard. Defensively, she has the ability to see where the ball will go prior to a pass and uses her length to negatively affect the passing lanes of an opposing team. She stands at 5-foot-8 and is an overall challenge for opposing teams to game plan against and will be even moreso now that she will fuse her talent with veteran experience.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["376323"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-670025cc2102a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">We return back to the girls basketball juggernaut that is Long Island Lutheran with this one. If one wears the LuHi uniform, there is a good chance she is swimming in Division I offers. Recently, Missisippi State, Oklahoma, Missouri and West Virginia have been among the schools that have had her on their respective radars. The same applies to Cleveland State, Memphis and Florida Atlantic. After playing her club ball with West Virginia Thunder (not to mention playing up in class on its 17U team), she is ready to bring her talents from the Crusaders of Catholic in Virginia (26-7 last season) to the Crusaders of LuHi.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->