Players to Watch: 2027 Backcourt Beasts across Long Island

As robust a state as New York in terms of basketball talent, one can certainly assume that it boasts one of the most formidable youth movements in the country. Long Island is no exception to that rule.    Prep Girls Hoops New York is previewing the upcoming 2023-24 season by spotlighting a number of the noteworthy names across Nassau and Suffolk counties that are poised for big seasons on the hardwood.    A number of the notable names across the island are from the sophomore class – and many of them are either point guards or shooting guards. Without further ado, here are a few of them to be on the lookout for in 2024-25.     Do not let the fact that Loiacono is a sophomore get one confused – she has plenty of experience under her belt and a good bit of that is at the varsity level. The multi-talented guard for Smithtown Christian has worn the Knights colors since she was in the seventh grade. In addition to her basketball accomplishments, she has also participated in cross country events throughout her athletic career. Ball-handling skills as well as an accurate 3-point shot is part of her offensive arsenal. This is complimented by her ability to organize a half court offense plus her willingness to draw contact to get to the free throw line.     When considering the reasons why Portledge concluded last season with a 13-5 record (including winning six of its seven matchups on the road), one has to consider the play of Cooper. She has shined on the basketball court and she has also shined on the soccer pitch. A team can have Cooper as part of its lineup either at the one or the two and said team will benefit either way. Last season's version of the Panthers only graduated two seniors, meaning Portledge is poised to make even more of a name for itself in 2024-25 with Cooper as one of its focal points.     Lohmiller is returning for her second season sporting the Long Island Lutheran uniform. She established herself firmly as one of New York's bright young girls basketball stars during her time at Pierson. She averaged 15.8 points per game when she was an eighth grader with the Whalers. Following a stint on the grassroots realm with Empire Youth Athletics, Lohmiller is sure to translate that into a stellar sophomore season with the Crusaders. What helps is that the head coach at LuHi and the head coach at Empire Youth Athletics is the same person – Christina Raiti. Lohmiller is listed at 5-foot-8.     If one is part of the nationally-recognized Long Island Lutheran program, that likely means that they have plenty of Division I offers to mull over. Among those offers that Brown has fielded include Arizona, Syracuse, Miami, Temple, Louisville, Alabama, Marquette, SMU, Florida, Florida State, Maryland and Michigan State. Brown has been a staple with the girls basketball team at Ursuline Academy in Delaware since she was an eighth grader. She led the team to back-to-back state championship games in the First State – and won on the second go-round by prevailing in a close contest over Caravel. Brown stands at 5-foot-7.     One of two sisters Sweet on the Westhampton Beach roster, the young two guard was a key factor in the Hurricanes putting together a 13-2 season last year. Sweet is another who has played at the varsity level since she was in the eighth grade. Despite playing primarily at the two, Sweet will have games where she grabs a number of rebounds. She also has no issues making tough shots and is an efficient runner of the floor. As a two, one would expect for her to have accuracy from long range and that is certainly an element to Sweet's game. Defense is another part of the game she excels in.     In addition to what she gets accomplished on the basketball court, McGowan has also exceled in cross country throughout her athletic career. The Vikings certainly excelled aplenty in 2023-24 in large part due to McGowan's superb performances. Seaford finished with a 18-4 record and a 10-2 mark in Conference A2. McGowan is also another Empire Youth Athletics AAU notable. She has no problems attempting – and connecting on – her 3-point attempts and can get from one end of the floor to the other with the ball in her hands. The 5-foot-6 guard is also accurate from the midrange and is an all-around playmaker.

As robust a state as New York in terms of basketball talent, one can certainly assume that it boasts one of the most formidable youth movements in the country. Long Island is no exception to that rule.