From Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
It’s not unusual for first-time opponents to underestimate the lady Salam Stars.
The girls can see it — in an opponent’s glance, maybe the way she drops her shoulders — when the Stars take the court looking demure in their traditional Muslim headscarves.
Then, without fail, Captain Safiya Schaub or one of her teammates will hustle for the basket, quickly post up and nail the layup.
“It’s so cool every time that happens,” said lady Stars Coach Kassidi Macak, in her third year coaching what may be the state’s only all-Muslim girls varsity basketball team at Salam School on Milwaukee’s south side. “A lot of people think Muslim girls don’t know how to play.”
At 6-1, their best start ever, the Salam Stars are proving they most certainly do.
The Stars blew the St. Francis Mariners out of the water, 69-38, last week in a much-anticipated match against Macak’s alma mater, a team known for its rapid-fire style of play. The Stars dominated the first half, 31-8, and the Mariners never had a chance, falling for the first time in the years-long rivalry between the teams.
The Stars were led by senior guard Heba Badwan, who scored a career-high 22 points and had 13 steals, a new record for the team. Her cousin, junior forward Jumana Badwan, followed with 16 points.
“It was such a great feeling to bring a W home. They’re a competitive team. And it was really hard. But this season, we came out strong,” said senior guard Rula Sarsour, who scored 12 points against the Mariners. “When we went to the locker room, we were screaming and very excited. It was really nice.”
