8th Grader Breaks LI Girls Basketball Record

Eighth grader Sydney Zambrotta broke a Long Island girls basketball shooting record last week, scoring 63 points in a single game for Upper Room Christian School in Dix Hills.

The 5-foot-8 point guard made 24 field goals, one of them a 3-pointer, and 14 free throws in the game to lead her team 78-17 against Our Savior New American (Centereach) during the January 17 game.

Jennifer Mitchell of Hempstead held the previous record of 60 points.

Zambrotta transferred to in the fall from North Babylon. She entered the record-breaking game with a 44-point scoring average.

"She has a great ability to read between plays. She’s able to dismantle a potential play before they can even reset it," her coach Rebecca Stevens said.

Her skills stem from sheer determination, Stevens said. Zambrotta dedicates herself to basketball year-round by participating in tournaments and putting in extra practice time during weekends.

"It's a great experience watching a young lady with that drive at this young age," the coach said.

Zambrotta is already being noticed by colleges and universities who have watched the budding talent practice with high school players during basketball conferences throughout the years.

"I see Syndey going down as one of the great point guards. I believe if she keeps going in this direction it will spring board her into the arena of basketball on the WNBA or Olympic level," Stevens said.

Days after breaking the Long Island record, Zambrotta had her 48-point game in a 52-49 win over Waldorf on January 20 disqualified because a shot clock was not used. The game will be replayed.