Ardsley Girls Basketball Team Ready to Defend Title

Published 1 month ago1m ago • Bookmarks: 357

(L-R:) Ardsley captains Leah Burriss, Lily Tiernan, Madison Bortstein and Dylan Paley. (photo by Joanne Maxwell)

December 21, 2025

By Tom Pedulla—

It would seem safe to assume that Ardsley feels pressure in defending its state Class A girls’ basketball championship, especially after stellar Leah Burriss suffered a season-ending knee injury in the opening scrimmage. A snapshot from a recent practice suggests otherwise.

A basketball got stuck in the net. Then a second. Then a third as a group of players gathered and inadvertently added to the pile. That only worsened the problem as laughter filled the gym.

Support our Sponsors

Pressure? Not judging by that glimpse into the team.

And not judging by the auspicious way the Panthers opened the season, rallying to edge host Irvington 35-32 behind Madison Bortstein’s 17 points in the championship game of the Warnoch Tournament.

Ardsley remains on a mission – even without honorable mention All-State performer Burriss.

“It hurts us but it gives an opportunity for others to step up and Leah will now slide into an assisting coaching role for us,” said coach Nick Resavy.

His confidence in his team is unshaken. “Our expectations are high. They remain the same,” he said. “We have every belief in ourselves. We want to repeat the process we had last year so we can repeat the results. We never shied away from that. We’re trying to have another great year.”

The Panthers continue to feed off of last season and their ability to deliver the school’s first state championship in girls’ basketball.

“Being in the state championship (game) and being in the state tournament put us in a really good place mentally to take on any challenges that come our way, whether it’s the regular season or when the playoffs start,” said senior guard Dylan Paley. “We know what it takes to be in those situations, which really helps us.”

Players understand the magnitude of Burriss’ loss and how that altered expectations others may have for them. They are determined to prove naysayers wrong.

“We kind of talk about it that we just worry about our team. We don’t really worry about what the media says and what other teams are saying,” said Bortstein, a point guard. “People are counting us out, but we don’t count ourselves out. We know what we’re capable of and what we can do. We have championship pedigree. That’s what our coach always says. We know what it takes, but we’re also not cocky about it.”

Senior guard Lily Tiernan acknowledged that this season has a different feel from the last one. The Panthers are not about to sneak up on anyone.

“We go into every game knowing we are going to get the other team’s best,” Tiernan said. “We have to stay true to ourselves.”

Burriss looks forward to making a full recovery from a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament and to providing Division 3 Bates College with a strong inside presence. Meanwhile, she will give Resavy an additional coach and help the team progress without her.

“They understand adversity is part of the game,” Resavy said. “Leah is a great player and just a phenomenal person. To see her go down like that, it shocks you. We talked about it that we’ll be upset that night but we have to move forward and she’ll be with us every step of the way.”

If the Panthers maintain their can-do attitude, they are convinced that approach can take them far.

Read or leave a comment on this story...

Support our Sponsors