Albany, NY – New York State Assemblyman Steve Stern and the New York State Assembly welcomed the Walt Whitman High School “Lady Wildcats” Girls Varsity Basketball Team on May 22, 2024, to the New York State Capitol.

The Lady Wildcats, led by Head Coach Dan Trebour and Assistant Coach Mike Moccia, and guided by Team Captains Kathleen O’Mara and Iris Hoffman, completed a phenomenal Winter season, winning 21 of their 26 games overall and 14 of 16 League 1 games. After a tremendous regular season, the team secured their second consecutive Suffolk County Championship title against the Commack Lady Cougars. The Lady Wildcats then advanced to the Long Island Championship, and after a close game against the Syosset Lady Braves, they became the first Long Island Champions in program history.

Following a historic season at home, the Lady Wildcats punched their ticket to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association’s Girls Basketball Championship. They competed in the “Final-Four” tournament at Hudson Valley Community College and ended their season in a tight game against Our Lady of Lourdes High School. On Wednesday, May 22, the team traveled to the New York State Capitol to be welcomed and honored on the floor of the Assembly for their outstanding season.

The girls were greeted by State Senator Monica Martinez (SD-4) who guided the team through a tour of the Senate Chambers. The team enjoyed pizza with Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre and Assemblyman Stern, and they met Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney at the Million Dollar Staircase. The team received a large proclamation recognizing their unprecedented victory, and individual citations commending their exceptional teamwork, leadership, and determination.

Assemblyman Stern concluded the tour with an introduction in the Assembly Chamber. Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Assembly Jeffrion Aubry welcomed the team to the Capitol and extended the privileges of the floor to the Lady Wildcats. In the Speaker’s Lounge, the Lady Wildcats met with the Speaker Pro-Tempore and Speaker of the Assembly Carl E. Heastie, who shared words of encouragement and praise for the team’s accomplishments and wished the 2024 Long Island Champions the best of luck in their next season.

After an unforgettable journey together, seniors Kallie Eichner, Courtney Magee, Iris Hoffman, and Kathleen O’Mara will graduate this year, and we all wish them every success in the future.