Phenomenal basketball player Grace Galgano is capping off her impressive high school career in the most memorable of ways. On February 1st, the dominant Power Forward/Center hit her 1,000th career point, becoming only the ninth girls basketball player in school history to ever do so.
After an outstanding win against highly ranked Lakeland, Galgano only needed five more points heading into the upcoming Horace Greeley league game, a very manageable task for Galgano who averages 22 ppg and 13 rpg. Within the first two minutes of play, Margo Cunningham entered the ball to Galgano in the post, who scored over two defenders while being fouled. When sent to the free throw line, Galgano made the shot, and the three-point-play meant that the ensuing bucket would secure her 1,000th point. Shortly after that, now nearly halfway through the first quarter, Galgano received a pass from Sophia Alzugaray in the high post. Galgano, now with the ball and two defenders on her, shot faked, got both players in the air, and drove the lane for a layup, scoring her 1,000th point. The crowd erupted in cheers, the team surrounded Galgano, jumping, screaming, and laughing, and the Bear’s Den chanted “GRACE GALGANO, GRACE GALGANO.” Coach Mike Castaldo called a timeout, and the game paused in celebration. After the game, Galgano stated, “It was exciting for me to hit my thousandth with this team, they’ve made this whole year so much fun, and so special for me.”
The journey to get to this point proved to be demanding, as Galgano had to overcome many obstacles in her career in order to get here, justifying the prestige this milestone holds. Freshman year, Galgano tore three ligaments in her ankle and missed most of the season due to the injury. Due to COVID-19, Galgano’s junior year was cut in half; regularly the season consists of 20+ games and that season was only 13 games total. This year, COVID-19 protocols are still in effect, but the season’s length was restored to normal. “Getting hurt my freshman year was really difficult, but it made me realize how much I loved playing basketball, and it made me work harder to make up for lost time,” Galgano stated. “As for my junior year, I was happy we got a season at all. It was hard to stay positive at times, but we made the most of our shortened season.” Grace definitely outshined the obstacles she was presented with and made a name for herself as a player.
Over the course of her five-year varsity career, Galgano was a three-year captain, a six-time LoHud Player of the Week nominee, a Con Edison Athlete of the Week award winner, and she also racked up multiple All-Tournament, All-League, All-Section, and MVP honors. Last year she led Brewster to the Putnam/North Westchester Large School Championship. This year, she is a candidate for Player of the Year for all of Section 1. “It has been an unbelievable honor and privilege to coach her. She is having an incredible senior year and I just don’t want this season to end,” Castaldo said.
Many wonder what is next for Grace after an accomplishment as large as this. Just recently, Galgano reached 1,000 career rebounds to accompany her 1,000 career points accomplishment. “No player in Brewster history, boys or girls, has ever accomplished this milestone. I am so happy and proud of Grace. She has had such an unbelievable career and is without a doubt the best girls basketball player to ever come through Brewster,” states Castaldo.
This year, Brewster has proven to be one of the most dominant teams in Section 1, and are hopeful contenders to win a Section championship and a gold ball. “We have what it takes to go all the way,” Galgano says. Grace will also continue her basketball career in the future. Last November, Galgano signed a National Letter of Intent to play Division 2 basketball at Roberts Wesleyan College, securing a full scholarship behind a 4.0 GPA. This is only the beginning for Galgano, and we can ensure success in her future, on and off the court.