Amanda Gallo speaks to Long Island Champ Allison Doscinski before Friday's state championship game.

Riptide: What is it like being on an undefeated basketball team?

Allison: Being part of such a talented and amazing group of girls is absolutely incredible. It is something that I wish everyone could have the opportunity to be a part of. We are not "only" a basketball team. We are a family that works together to accomplish a common goal.

Do you feel that being a championship team of females is empowering?

I would say yes, it is empowering. Female athletes do not usually achieve as much recognition compared to male athletes. The accomplishments of the Riverhead GIRLS basketball team can clearly demonstrate the result of hard work and determination.

To make it to the top, must have taken a lot of hard work. What are your practices like?

Practices vary based on our game schedule for the week. I can honestly say that there is not a single girl who does not work hard for the full two hours, six days a week. At the end of the day, we are all breathing heavy which signifies a "good" practice.

Did you expect to make it to the Finals? Have any predictions on future games?

This season has been something special. Coach Spinella made the team well aware of our capabilities at the start of this season. As the season progressed, yes I can say that I expected to make it this far. We are champions of Long Island. I predict that we, the Riverhead Girls Basketball team will continue onward and take it one game at a time. We will travel upstate, and become State Champions.

There’s a lot of support coming from the community. How are your fans?

The fans are absolutely incredible. They are our family, our friends and our support. It would not be the same without each and every one of them.

What has basketball taught you as a team and as an individual?

Basketball has taught me the value of friendship and family. I have never had a team comparable to this one. I find it hard to believe that there is another team out there like us. We are something special. As a team we have learned how to overcome obstacles and set aside any differences to accomplish a common goal, a championship.

You recently held a fundraiser game for a young boy in need. What’s the story on that? How has that experience impacted you?

There is a young boy by the name of Chris Timpone who fell ill with cancer. As Riverhead Blue Waves we feel our team not only consists of the girls that play on the court, but of the community as a whole. Riverhead heard of his tragic misfortune and wanted to help in any way possible. We played an exhibition game for him and raised a total of over a thousand dollars. This money was donated to him and his family.

Now that the stakes are higher, and given your current record, expectations are high for the girls’ team. Does that change things? How do you maintain your cool under pressure on and off the court?

The Riverhead Girls Basketball team began this season well aware of our talents as a team. We expected to make it this far. There is no pressure. We are the first team to ever conquer the Long Island Championship in the history of Riverhead. At the end of the day, no one can take that away from us.