By S. Quinn DeJoy and J. Murrer

Jan. 25, 2017:  Two weeks ago the Bronco girls' basketball team broke into the top 25 Class B teams in New York for the first time in Bronxville history. The rankings change week to week, but the Broncos remain in Honorable Mention standing this week.

"It definitely feels good to get recognized," said senior captain Ellie Walsh. "It is the first time we have gotten into the state rankings. It is especially nice because Bronxville is so good in other sports, and now we have something statistical to show we are good in basketball." 

The Broncos sit in first place in Conference 3, League B, but the competition overall in Section 1 is fierce. The New York State Sportswriters Association ranks two Class B teams in the top ten: Irvington (No. 2) and Briarcliff (No. 5). Bronxville shares the state Honorable Mention list with both Valhalla and Westlake.

Five seniors lead the Broncos: Ellie Walsh and Natalie Kister (co-captains) and Alison Schultz, Olivia Jensen, and Sophia Anagnostakis. The team has won nine games, including recent wins against league opponents Rye Neck (60-26) and Edgemont (57-43) and a 57-37 victory over Blind Brook on fan appreciation night. In the game against the Trojans, Brooke Tatarian scored 16 points and Ashley Kaye added 13 more. Fan appreciation night included a halftime game played by third-grade girls from the CYO league at St. Joseph's Church and autograph-signing by the varsity players.

The 9-3 Broncos have suffered losses to Irvington and Briarcliff and last Thursday played a tough game against Westlake, eventually losing 52-47. The Broncos, who trailed the entire first half, took the lead in the fourth quarter with under six minutes left, but they were unable to hold on for the win. 

In 2011, the Broncos were in the final four and made their first trip ever to the County Center. Michaela Donohue, who is an assistant coach, was a captain of that team. The Bronxville girls hope to get back to the County Center again this year.

"It is the best season we have had in all the years that I have played," said Walsh. "The County Center is a dream. That is our goal. We have to finish the season strong. We want the first two sectional games at home."

Go Broncos. 

Pictured here: top (rotating): fan appreciation night for the girls' basketball team; the Bronxville girls' varsity team (photos courtesy D. Lucas); middle: fan appreciation night (photo courtesy D. Lucas); bottom: Bronxville vs. Westlake at home (photo by J. Murrer).