Girls: Selena Philoxy takes over
One of, if not the biggest key to South Shore H.S. and their ability to repeat as PSAL Champions this past season was big 6'2" forward Selena Philoxy '17. Philoxy, who was new to the Lady Vikings roster, came in and filled a massive role averaging a double-double and dominated at times en route to yet another title.
While she knew she could dominate down low, Philoxy understood that it was just as important that she continued to grow her game, so playing with the Lady Choz this spring and summer on the AAU circuit, she has stretched out her game to become a force from the outside as well, making her an even more highly coveted prospect for the future.
Even though Philoxy says that getting stronger and becoming an even better rebounder are the two aspects of her game that she feels have gotten better the most over the past weeks and months, she has made a more consistent effort to get away from the paint and show that she has range and can shoot the ball as well.
Always looked at as a power forward, Philoxy says she is starting to consider herself more of a 3 now based on the advice she got from college coaches who yearned to see what she could do away from the basket.
"I am trying to stretch things out more and be more of a 3, show I can shoot the ball too," Philoxy said. "I think I realized I needed to be more of a 3 when coaches started telling me I needed to shoot more so I went out and worked on my shot and became more aggressive shooting the ball."
It's just another part of her game now that can rip defenses apart as Philoxy was already one of the tougher interior players in NYC, but with the added dimension now coming in of being able to shoot the ball from 10-15 feet, she is now easily one of the more dangerous and complete forwards in the city.
Colleges are starting to come Philoxy's way as well as the growth in her game has meant growth to her offer list as Seton Hall she says is the most recent one to offer her, with that coming after an unofficial visit she took there in late June.
That may be the biggest offer that Philoxy has as of right now, but she has a long list of mid-majors that have made her a clear priority going forward during the rest of this summer.
"I have Albany, Siena, Manhattan, Georgia State, and some others I can't remember right now," Philoxy said when asked about the other offers she currently holds.
There is no timetable for a decision for her either as she says she may decide during or after the high school season as to what college she will attending, but she admits she wants the focus on being leading South Shore to yet another PSAL title and getting the three peat that everyone on the Lady Vikings roster wants.
It's what Philoxy wants as much as anyone as well and she knows she will be counted on heavily to make that goal of three titles in a row become a reality, but she is ready for the challenge, as difficult as it may be.
"We have the exact same team coming back, and even though we are the hunted and everyone is coming for us I think we are the favorites and I look forward to defending our title and going out as a champion."
