41° and Overcast
Image
Abigail “Abbey” Loiacono, senior at the Smithtown Christian School (SCS), has made basketball history at the final season game on Monday, Feb. 6. She became the first student in SCS history to reach and surpass the career point of number 1,700.
Loiacono has been playing basketball since she was five. In fifth grade, Joseph Loiacono, her father/coach, guided her to play better. Afterwards, she became passionate about basketball, which led her to playing on a team.
“I started getting into basketball when I was in fifth grade,” Loiacono said. “I began to follow the game. I became obsessed with the process of training and just everything. That’s when I really fell in love with the game.”
Loiacono has been a 6-year starting player, averaging 24 points a game. The secret of her success is her continuing work on methods of the game instead of the results. She also gives praise to her trainer, her faith and her parents for showing Loiacono their work ethic.
“My work ethic, my parents really taught me this ever since I was little and putting in work for results, but not just for the results, enjoying the process,” she said.
Loiacono and her team, the SCS Knights, took on the Pierson Whalers from Pierson High School in Sag Harbor. When she first scored in the game, she made history with a score over 1,700 points. After a close game, the Knights defeated the Whalers 47-37.
After she graduates in June, Loiacono plans to go to Grove City College in Pennsylvania and continue her basketball career. “I plan to continue my basketball career, my academic and spiritual career there and I’m looking forward to that because it’s exciting to know that I have another four years of basketball and academics ahead of me,” she said.
