Stamford Girls Basketball Looking To Match Last Season's Success

With its starting backcourt of 5-6 senior shooting guard Kelsey Cognetta and 5-foot senior point guard Ebony Razor intact, the girls basketball is hoping to build on last year's 14-6 finish and go further in the postseason.

Stamford lost in the quarterfinals of the FCIAC playoffs, then fell in the second round of the Class LL state tournament to eventual state finalist Mercy, 43-41.

However, matching - or bettering - last season's mark may depend on how fast the Black Knights get 5-11 junior forward forward/ guard and Lauren Schapiro and 5-9 freshman center Kelsey Santagata back into the lineup.

They are both nursing are ankle injuries. Schapiro suffered her injury during soccer season and Santagata went down during a practice early in the preseason.

Still, the Black Knights are in good hands with Cognetta, who is a scorer, and Razor, the team's floor general and defensive specialist,  leading the way. Cognetta was an all-FCIAC first team pick last season.

Another player who could help out in the backcourt is Deven Cobbs, a diminutive 4-9 senior guard who transferred from  cross-town rival Westhill.

Center Jasmine Jones and forward Kim Mannarino graduated, but the Black Knights boast a deep roster that also includes 5-10 senior forward Anabelle Paul, 5-9 senior center Dani Jordine, 5-7 junior guard Jasmin Barrett and 5-6 sophomore guard/forward Ashyla Cody.

The Black Knights will be tested early, as they have a tough opening week. Their first two games are on the road against Trinity Catholic (Wednesday) and St. Joseph (Friday) - last season's FCIAC finals.

St. Joseph defeated Trinity Catholic, 47-38, in the 2010 FCIAC title game.