New Hyde Park girls basketball's Maeve Downing scores 21 points in win over Bellmore JFK
Maeve Downing of New Hyde Park runs with the ball on fast break during a girls basketball game at Bellmore JFK High School on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. Credit: Sam Johnston
Maeve Downing missed the end of last season with a torn ACL. But, now, she is back and better than ever, making her presence felt whenever she steps on the court for the New Hyde Park girls basketball team.
"Missing the last few games and the playoff game last season when we really wanted to get the playoff win hurt," Downing said. "So this year, I'm really chasing that. I want to help the team the best I can."
The senior point guard is averaging 20.1 points, 12 rebounds and six assists. But her impact goes beyond the box score. It's the intangibles that Downing brings that brings the team together.
"I always kept supporting my teammates even when I was hurt, so being out there and being able to be impactful has been great," Downing said.
Downing had 21 points and seven assists to lead New Hyde Park past host Bellmore JFK, 50-37, in Nassau Conference AA-I Saturday morning. She was able to get downhill, find open teammates in transition and provide value on defense.
"Maeve is really good at finding open players," coach Michael Bello said. "Coming back from an ACL isn't easy, and she hasn't slowed down one bit."
The Gladiators were dominant in the second quarter, going on a 14-2 run that lasted 6:25 and erased a 12-9 deficit. The stretch was sparked by Downing, who made a step back three-pointer to tie the score at 12. The run included a stretch where New Hyde Park scored nine straight points over four minutes.
"We do a good job of switching between pressing and man," Bello said of his team's defense. "We had to put pressure on the ball, and once we did that, we started to find open shots and things were looking a lot better."
. Bellmore JFK cut the lead 46-37 with three minutes left in the game after sophomore shooting guard Jordi Wohlleben made a three-pointer from the right wing but would get no closer. .
Kayden Erazo scored 13 points and Alexis Badgett made two three-pointers for New Hyde Park (8-5, 5-1).
"They didn't give up one bit," Bello said of Bellmore JFK. "[Coach Mallory Freely] has really brought that group along well, and it's been fun to watch. They're a tough team, and if she keeps working with them, they will definitely get a playoff win or two."
Katelyn Kuhl scored 21 points, and Wohlleben added eight for Bellmore JFK (9-5, 3-3).
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
