Newsday Athlete of the Week is Wantagh's Kayla Mannix
Sophomore guard Kayla Mannix in state Class A girls basketball semifinal on March 21, 2025. Credit: Hans Pennink
When the game was on the line, Kayla Mannix rose to the occasion.
Whether she was hitting clutch shots, making the perfect pass, or guarding the opponent’s best player, the sophomore guard’s impact on the Wantagh girls basketball team was felt when it mattered the most.
Newsday’s Athlete of the Week averaged 15.7 points per game and had a breakout performance in the state semifinals, scoring 32 points — including 20 in the fourth quarter — leading Wantagh to a 58-51 win over Albany Academy.
“She makes little plays in those key moments,” Wantagh coach Stan Bujacich said. “Everything got better for her in the playoffs — that’s the sign to me of an elite player.”
With Wantagh down by three, Mannix drained a three-pointer to bring the team within striking distance. She followed it up with another three to give Wantagh the lead, then continued to dominate on defense as she finished with 12 rebounds, five steals, and four blocks.
“I knew we were down, and we had to come back,” Mannix said. “I wanted to take any chances, and I kept getting more confident. My teammates kept encouraging me a lot, and we just kept pushing forward.”
Mannix, who helped lead Wantagh through a historical playoff run as the team won its first Long Island championship, also helped the program earn its first county soccer crown with the lone goal in November’s title game.
“I play forward or striker in soccer, so I think that helps me see the court,” Mannix said. “It’s not just about scoring; I’m always looking for the better play, the better pass. I play to make my teammates better.”
Bujacich remembers Mannix’s first varsity open gym session last summer, where her high basketball IQ was on full display.
"She was making incredible passes that we couldn’t even believe,” he said. “I was just thinking, I have never seen anything like this.”
Despite her individual accolades, Mannix remains focused on the development of her teammates.
“We have really good freshmen who will fill in, and everyone is a leader on the team,” Mannix said. “We got a great experience this year, and I think I’ll get better defensively. I think next year’s team is going to be just as good as this year.”
Bujacich has been preparing Mannix for a bigger leadership role next season as he believes her character stands above all.
“She just wants to have fun, that’s her,” Bujacich said. “She doesn’t put too much pressure on herself. She just takes everything in stride. You can tell when she’s locked in, she’s unstoppable.”
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