Northport girls basketball's Grace Gilmartin keys win over Smithtown East with big first half
Northport’s Grace Gilmartin is defended by Smithtown East’s Lex Heffernan during a girls basketball game at Northport High School on Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2026. Credit: Kathy M Helgeson
A perfect 18-for-18. The Northport girls basketball team remains unbeaten.
The host Tigers defeated Smithtown East, 59-30, Tuesday night. The victory preserved their standing at the top of Suffolk League III. Northport (18-0, 15-0) is the only remaining undefeated team in the county.
On top of the win, Northport celebrated senior night. Grace Gilmartin, one of five seniors on the squad, led the team with 19 points, 17 of which came in the first half.
“Having all five of us seniors on the court at the same time is something we were excited for,” Gilmartin said. “That really motivated us coming into the game to bring the good energy.”
Coach Rich Castellano said Gilmartin’s role in the win didn’t come as a surprise.
“She’s our rebounder, she’s our inside scorer, everything she knows she has to do, she does for us,” Castellano said. “That’s just the kind of player and teammate she is.”
Senior Sarah Power made two three-pointers and dished out two assists. She said, rather than feeling pressure, her team takes pride in being undefeated and uses the record as motivation.
“I really couldn’t have asked for a better senior season so far,” Power said. “This team is so fun to be around and we all work so hard together. We always play every game like it’s our last and I think that’s part of the reason we’ve been so successful this year.”
Castellano said his senior class drives the determination to remain unbeaten and, though the occasion marks the team’s final regular-season home game, he’s sure the Tigers will return to their home court in the postseason.
“These seniors have been with me for a long time,” Castellano said. “They deserve to be on the court and they did what they had to do today. They play their hearts out and they know we’ll get more time on this court.”
Outside of the team’s impactful senior class, Northport saw contributions from many of its younger leaders as well. Junior point guard Ava DeMarco tallied eight points and four assists.
“I always try to keep my eyes up,” DeMarco said. “I’m a pass-first kind of teammate. I know the points will come after that.”
Having played on varsity with many of the seniors since she was in eighth grade, DeMarco said honoring them just felt right.
“It’s so fun to cheer them on and watch them succeed,” DeMarco said. “It’s awesome to celebrate them. All five of them are leaders on the court and they play such a big role in winning games for us.”
McKenna Burton and Lauren Mahoney each scored seven points for Smithtown East (8-12, 5-12).
Tess Ferguson is a reporter on Newsday's high school sports staff. She joined the team after graduating with a journalism degree from Ithaca College in 2025.
