Gateway’s girls basketball team has been building toward something big.
Three seasons ago the Panthers rolled to a regional championship and an appearance in the state tournament. They won district titles the last two seasons as well, but lacked that little edge to win in the playoffs.
Off to a dominating 8-0 start this season, it seems they’ve found that edge—and are cutting through the opposition. After 90-45 wins over solid private school program Altamonte Christian and 83-24 over Foundation Academy to close last week, Gateway is averaging 76 points per game and margin of victory of 45 points per game. It was those numbers that led Cocoa to back out of a game that was scheduled for Monday, according to the school.
How’s that happen? Start with four-year starting point guard Alyssa Marino. The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University signee can score (17 points per game), distribute (7.3 assists, including eight against Foundation) and defend (3.1 steals).
One of her sidekicks is Ashlynn Day, who arrived as a talented freshman last year and has added a layer of polish to her all-around game. She’s averaging 24.6 points and 12 rebounds per game. In the Friday Foundation game, she scored 25 to go with five assist, eight rebounds and two steals.
Evana Rivera, the senior center who plays bigger than her 5’9” frame, cleans up what’s left in the paint (9.4 points, nine rebounds per game), including 15 on Friday. And there there’s complimentary pieces like fellow senior Jalissa Yarbrough and newcomer Ya Ya D’Amore, a freshman who came to Gateway after lighting up the county’s middle school league at Narcoossee last year. She tallied 13 points and seven steals Friday. And sophomore Bella Davila showed range coming off the bench to score 11.
The team is shooting over 40 percent outside the three-point arc and averages 18 assists a game to just six turnovers, including a 20-to-3 ratio Friday. While some of the pieces are familiar, Coach Justin Marino says the depth and level of athleticism has approved to what could be a special level.
“When we went to state (in 2023), we didn’t even have a JV team. How many teams say that?” he said. “Defensively, right now we’ve got the athletes to play man (to man defense), pick up fullcourt man pressure. That pressure creates some easy offense.
“And when we’re on offense, let’s just say I’m not calling very many sets, just a few adjustments. I’m blessed with kids with high basketball IQ.”
Marino the point guard said the team is off to the start it is this year because the team plays together better than it likely ever has in her Panther career.
“When we play on the same page, the ball is moving, everyone is passing, the ball goes where it should and the offense is easier to run,” she said. “Ashlynn’s getting better. Evana is doing what she does better and is passing better to find open shooters.
“We took the same team (from last year) and added a great freshman (D’Amore). People say I could be nervous about what we might do in my last year, but I’m excited for this year.”
The Panthers are scheduled to host Palm Bay Heritage and Poinciana Thursday and Friday ahead of an intriguing matchup against Lake Howell, who could be 8-0 themselves when they meet next Thursday Dec. 18 in the last game before the winter break.
The Panthers will then get tested in the Florida Prospects Christmas tournament Dec. 2931, then return from the break with a tilt at Bishop Moore on Jan. 8; those two met in a 2022 regional final.
