The Bayshore Marauders girls’ basketball team is putting it all out on the court this season in a hunt for a title. The girls are off to a great start midway through the 2025-26 season.
Bayshore girls basketball is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and competes in League I. The girls are led by second-year head coach Devine Smith. Smith’s resume includes stints at LIU Post and Dowling College, serving as an assistant coach for both teams, respectively. Prior to that, he was an assistant coach at Copiague High School. Courtside, Devine is joined by assistant coach Aubrey Braxton. The team currently boasts an 8-1-0 record, sitting in first place in League I.
Last season, the Marauders finished the season with a 13-9 record. The 2024-25 season saw them make the playoffs for the first time in a decade, as well as notching their first playoff win in 13 years. Bayshore defeated Longwood 47-27 and advanced to the second round, where they unfortunately fell to Walt Whitman. Aside from breaking a dryspell, the Marauders were also promoted from League II to League I ahead of the 2025-26 season.
On the court, the Marauders have a few key players they roll with. Kaitlyn Brewer, Leahlani Ellis, Kimora Pearson, and Nyah Issac. Pearson, a guard/forward, is currently ranked 14th in Suffolk County with 37FG-20(3PTS)-19FTS for a total of 153 points. Junior forward Nyah Issac has 75 points, junior point guard Leahlani Ellis has 112 points, and senior guard/forward Kaitlyn Brewer has 46 points.
Last season, Leahlani Ellis was awarded All-League honors, and Kaitlyn Brewer was honored with the Unsung Hero award. Prior to the start of this season, Ellis was named to Newsday’s Top 100 basketball players.
In nine games this season, the Marauders have won eight, 5 against league opponents and 3 against non-league opponents. Their only loss came against Walt Whitman, a league opponent they’re familiar with. Their offense is averaging 52 points per game, with their highest offensive output coming in an 82-31 win over Summit High School. Through nine games, the Marauders have kept their opponents to under 40 points in six out of nine games.
The Marauders have five seniors on the squad for 2025-26: Kaitlyn Brewer, Jaliah Collins, Emily Ehlers, Amanda Jimenez, and Julia McFadden. Brewer, a multisport athlete, is headed to Queens University of Charlotte to play Division I lacrosse. McFadden, another multisport athlete, is headed to Molloy University, where she’ll play Division II lacrosse. Bayshore will honor their senior class on February third when they take on Longwood.
The squad has fared well both at home and on the road, proving they can play anywhere. With 11 games remaining in the regular season, the Marauders will divide their time, playing six at home and five on the road.
The Bayshore girls varsity basketball team is on a strong run so far, they look to keep the momentum going as they make a push for the playoffs and hopefully change their fate and scrap out some wins in the postseason.
