There are times when Julia Scott and Maddy Zuppe simply can’t connect. Plenty of times, in fact.
When, despite how often they’ve practiced and all the time spent together, there still is a struggle to execute. The synchronization isn’t as easy as they’ll sometimes make it seem.
“It’s great when we get it right, but we actually mess it up a lot,” Scott admitted, as Zuppe smiled while nodding in acknowledgment. “The coordination is a challenge.”
They were, of course, talking about their secret handshake.
Those aren’t uncommon in sports or among close friends. But theirs is a complicated sequence of daps, snaps and heart-shaped finger intertwinement that requires some precision. The two Albertus Magnus seniors have been trying to perfect it since the ninth grade.
Thankfully for the girls basketball team, their connection on pick and rolls, entry passes, cuts, lobs and outlets is seemingly seamless.
“We’ve gotta make a meme,” Falcons coach Pat Buckley joked, “where we Photoshop the two of them as Karl Malone and John Stockton.”
For those young enough to be unfamiliar with those names, they were a legendary tandem with the Utah Jazz. Malone dominated as one of the greatest scorers in NBA history with the help of Stockton, who is the all-time leader in assists.
It’s an apt comparison, to be sure, given the positional correlation and all the success they’ve had together. One glaring difference, though, is the Scott-and-Zuppe combo has delivered championships, leading Albertus Magnus to two consecutive state titles.
And, after Scott broke the Rockland County career scoring record on Feb. 11, adding to a mile-long list of high school accomplishments, the Clemson-bound superstar had some moments of sentimentality. When she does allow herself to reminisce, remembering triumphs and milestones, Zuppe often appears in those mental replays.
“Most of the baskets I’ve gotten probably came on passes from her,” said Scott, whose record-breaking three against Xaverian was also assisted by Zuppe. “The record would be great for me, but I also think of it as a team accomplishment. It wouldn’t be possible without my teammates, Maddy especially.”
She surpassed 2,155 career points, a total set by Tappan Zee’s Stephanie Cleary that had stood since 2001.
“This whole ride has been incredible, and never did we imagine all these things happening,” Mary Scott said of her daughter. “When she really got into basketball, we were just glad to see her having fun, and we were meeting great families. To see her continually pushing it and chasing greater goals, it’s amazing.”
The 6-foot-3 forward has developed into a three-level scorer and is averaging 24 points per game this winter. Her height and athleticism present a physical mismatch against most opponents in the low post. But she has worked diligently to deepen her repertoire, becoming efficient in the mid-range as a shooter or driver, and expanding her range to the perimeter.
Zuppe is a pass-first point guard whose smarts, vision, handle, accuracy and anticipatory instincts make her a consummate playmaker. She also is a solid outside shooter and a capable finisher in the lane, but the Trinity College commit thrives most as a facilitator and recorded her 500th career assist this week.
Their skills go, well, hand in hand.
“Julia makes my life easy,” Zuppe said of their synergy. “It makes me smile when I’m able to just lob it inside to her and watch her go to work. She does so many things well. I know that if I can just get her a good pass, it’s probably going to be a basket.”
It’s like a proficient conductor leading a supremely talented orchestra. Speaking of which…
‘I wasn’t really into basketball’
Scott had lots of interests as a small child and was enrolled in plenty of activities. Basketball was among them, but it wasn’t a priority, and it certainly was far from a passion.
Her primary sports were soccer and lacrosse, but she also played the harp. And the footwork she has since become known for on the court was first displayed in her dance performances.
“She actually competed in a youth level Irish dance national championship,” Mary Scott said as her daughter smiled sheepishly. Julia’s grandparents are from Ireland and her mom also grew up Irish dancing. “The height was a bit of a challenge, though. She kept outgrowing her costumes and shoes.”
But the treble jigs and hop-backs were eventually traded for hezzy dribbles and step backs when in 2020, shortly before the pandemic, Julia decided she wanted to focus on basketball.
She had done well in CYO — her local Nanuet team rivaling Zuppe’s New City squad back then — and her growth spurt generated buzz about her potential in that sport. As well, Julia said, her trainer Anthony Hodges later established an AAU team and thus began her immersion in basketball.
Scott and Zuppe were AAU teammates briefly as eighth-graders and it was then they became friendly, before reuniting a year later as Albertus Magnus schoolmates and becoming close.
“It was pretty instant,” Zuppe said. “She’s outgoing and I’m kind of quiet, but she was able to get me out of my shell. We clicked as friends and had great chemistry on the court.”
As freshmen, the Falcons lost to White Plains in the Class AA section final and Buckley remembers overhearing a conversation between the two as they boarded the team bus.
“They said to each other, ‘This won’t happen again. We can’t lose like this again,’” the coach said. “They’ve been the perfect match. They push each other, they’re super coachable, and they’re never satisfied. They’re winners.”
Whose run has been one for the record books.
The pursuit of history
There is a bit of a coincidental full circle in the record breaking as Scott met Cleary last month.
“She has been so supportive and kind,” Scott said of Cleary, who has attended recent games and planned to present her a commemorative plaque on Friday.
Cleary graduated Tappan Zee months before Buckley was hired there as the boys basketball coach, but the two connected when she joined him as an assistant in his first three years with the Falcons. Plus, Cleary’s daughter will be an incoming freshman at Albertus Magnus this fall, and she has reconnected with the program.
Scott averaged 26.5 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and three blocks per game last season en route to being named this publication’s Rockland Girls Basketball Player of the Year for the second straight season, and ESPN ranked her the 25th best player in the country. But she insists the accolades, as numerous and incredible, are largely a product of a great program and supporting cast.
Beyond the humility, there is obvious truth to that.
Sara Nezaj, a sophomore guard, has emerged as an elite secondary scorer, helping alleviate some pressure. Camila Nunez is a tough and versatile defender who helps anchor the paint, and senior Lauren Thomas brings leadership.
Talented underclassmen Keira Brescia, Dianny Amaro and Ella Grijalva have helped infuse the roster with energy.
As well, Scott has already played in 19 postseason games, and there is a reciprocal effect. Her performance has obviously helped propel the team, and their deep playoff runs enabled her to accumulate more points.
“She knows that if the team hadn’t done that, she wouldn’t be in this position,” Buckley said. “Most high school kids don’t get that opportunity.”
The Falcons have dominated Section 1 competition this winter and likely will be favored to win a third straight state championship. Scott now sits atop the statistical leaderboard and she will be one of the most decorated high school athletes in local sports history.
“She deserves it and I’m really happy for her,” Zuppe said. “Not a lot of people get to see all the work she puts in and what goes into her being as great as she is. I feel lucky be a part of it.”
After all, they’ve got a handshake agreement.
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Scott and Zuppe connection assists Albertus Magnus star’s record chase
Reporting by Stephen Haynes, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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