The Brooklyn Hurricanes step into the new season determined to rewrite their story after a shortened 2024–2025 campaign.
With injuries and low numbers forcing the team to an early stop last winter, head coach Jerrod Karl enters his second year at Brooklyn High School with a deeper roster, renewed optimism, and a youthful core eager to grow.
“I feel much better about this season after having a full offseason and preseason,” he said. “We are super young, but this year we are focused on learning the game and growth.”
That mindset is necessary for a roster built around freshmen and first-year players. Brooklyn returns just two starters and two additional varsity players, but Karl sees the group’s attitude as a defining strength.
“One of our strengths this year is the eagerness to learn,” Karl said. “We have many first-year players, but they have a willingness to learn. For many of them, they are stepping out of their comfort zone and trying their hardest at each practice.”
Still, youth brings inevitable hurdles.
“Our greatest challenge is our inexperience,” Karl said. “Over 80 percent of our players are freshmen who will be asked to compete against well-coached teams in our conference.”
Despite those challenges, the Hurricanes expect to grow rapidly as their underclassmen gain reps. That begins with point guard Joselyn Vega, a freshman tasked with steering the offense. Karl sees her as one of the program’s future cornerstones, and her role will be significant from day one.
“Jos is one of our young freshmen that we see tons of potential,” he said. “She is going to be tasked with being our primary ball handler, but is extremely coachable and works hard every day at practice.”
Freshman guard Zoe Shultz will share ball-handling duties and brings a competitive edge that stood out throughout the offseason.
“Zoe is another one of our freshmen who has a lot of potential,” Karl said. “She had a great offseason over the summer and will be helping Jos with ball-handling responsibilities. Zoe is a competitor.”
Guard Reese Alonso returns as one of the few players with varsity experience, and Karl believes she’s ready for a breakout after her development was cut short last season.
“Reese is one of our returners who was just starting to catch her stride last year when we could not fulfill the rest of the season,” Karl said. “Reese would come in prior to practice and put in extra work almost every day last year. She has really started to take on a leadership role within our team, and we are excited to see the growth this year.”
In the frontcourt, freshman forward Nadiya Torres brings rebounding, defensive presence, and significant long-term upside.
“Nadiya is a freshman that we see having a tremendous upside as she gets more opportunities,” Karl said. “She had an excellent offseason and will be a primary rebounder and defensive presence for us.”
Rounding out the projected starting five is freshman guard Eva Concepcion, who has embraced the challenge of varsity basketball with energy and consistency.
“Eva is yet another freshman who is new to our school. She comes to practice every day ready to play and learn,” Karl said. “Eva has a strong work ethic and is very coachable.”
Karl also expects important contributions from several key reserves, including forward Elisabeth Jackiewicz, whose steady leadership anchors the team’s culture.
“Elisabeth is a dedicated leader who has been part of our program since her youth basketball days,” Karl said. “She consistently shows up and sets the tone with her work ethic and attitude. We’re excited to see her continue to grow and make a big impact on both ends of the floor this season.”
Sophomore forward Gracie Beane adds interior toughness and rebounding.
“Gracie is new to our program this year and has quickly made a strong impression,” Karl said. “She brings great energy, toughness, and a competitive mindset every time she steps on the floor. Her aggressiveness and ability to rebound make her a key post presence for us, and we’re very excited to have her on the team this season.”
Freshman guard Adrienne Cruz has already carved out a strong role with her defense and intensity.
“Adrenne is a dedicated freshman who gives her best every day and has quickly become an important part of our team,” Karl said. “She plays solid defense, competes with intensity, and has a true passion for improving her game. Her work ethic and determination embody the values we want to build our program around.”
Senior guard Abi Cruz provides a crucial veteran presence on a team dominated by freshmen.
“Abi is a returning senior whose leadership and experience are invaluable to our young team,” Karl said. “She leads by example through her hustle, hard work, and defensive intensity every time she steps on the court. We’re excited to have her guiding our team this season and helping our younger players adjust to the varsity level.”
Freshman guard Reem Raad brings athleticism and multi-sport versatility to the rotation.
“We’re extremely excited to have Reem join our program this year,” Karl said. “As a freshman and multi-sport athlete, she brings outstanding athleticism and natural ability to our team. We’re looking forward to seeing how her skills will strengthen us on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor.”
Senior guard Yenessa Bowie adds stability, energy, and senior leadership to a youthful roster.
“Yenessa is a senior, and we couldn’t be more excited to have her on our team this season,” Karl said. “She brings a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and a steady influence that lifts everyone around her. Her experience and enthusiasm make her an invaluable part of our program both on and off the court.”
With numbers up and energy high, the Hurricanes believe this season marks the start of a true rebuild.
“Our main goals for the 2025–2026 season are to continue rebuilding our program and to focus on things we can control, such as our attitude, effort, and attention to detail,” Karl said. “We want to establish a strong team culture built on hard work, accountability, and positivity. As we grow together, we’re aiming to be competitive in every game and to lay the foundation for long-term success.”
The recipe for success is simple.
“Our keys to victory this season will come from playing together as a team, maintaining great energy on both ends of the floor, and staying disciplined in the small details,” Karl said. “We know success will come when we focus on defense, communicate well, and trust each other. If we bring effort and enthusiasm every day, we believe good things will follow.”
Karl sees this as a turning point for the program, not just a new season.
“This season is an exciting new chapter for our program. Our numbers have grown, and we’ve welcomed a talented group of freshmen who bring energy and competitiveness every day,” he said. “The combination of returning leadership and young potential has created a great atmosphere at practice. We’re focused on building momentum and creating a foundation that will make our program stronger for years to come.”
