Girls basketball preview: A look at the Greater Middlesex Conference
Here's a team-by-team capsule look at the Greater Middlesex Conference girls basketball teams for the 2023-24 season.
GREATER MIDDLESEX CONFERENCE
Red Division
COLONIA
Coach: Sandi Chiera
Last season: 16-12
Top letterwinners lost: Mattison Chiera
Roster: Hailey Conklin (Fr., 5’5), Mya Patino (Sr., 5’3), Taylor Derkack (Sr., 6’0), Laila Stanford (Fr., 5’6), Brianna Vargo (Sr., 5’7), Arabella Palmeri (So., 5’8), Jayla Wooten (Sr., 5’7), Isabel Gidado (Jr., 5’6), Amelia Carrion (Sr., 5’5), Berlinda Evra (Sr., 6’1).
Outlook: While graduating third-team All-Area honoree Mattison Chiera (14.9/5.5) is a tough loss, the Patriots bring back a nice group of players, including the reigning HNT Girls Basketball Player of the Year in Derkack, who notched 21 points and 13 boards per game last season. Vargo and Gidado are also returning starters, while Patino returns from an ACL injury that forced her to miss her junior season. Still, beyond the Top 4, there is some inexperience Colonia will have to work through, with several first-year players joining the group, including freshmen Conklin and Stanford, and Palmeri, a sophomore, who will need to make an immediate impact. The Patriots, who went to the GMCT final last year, also need some of the other upperclassmen to step up and become offensive threats, coach Sandi Chiera said.
More: Girls basketball rankings: Greater Middlesex Conference preseason Top 10
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EAST BRUNSWICK
Coach: Travis Retzlaff
Last season: 16-12
Top letterwinners lost: Nicole Motusesky, Brooke Motusesky, Annie Nezaria, Sam Motusesky, Tamea El
Roster: Caitlin Gay (Sr., C), Julianna DelosSantos Branson (So., G), Gabby Nieves (Sr., G), Jorden Oster (Sr., F), Rotem Barda (Jr., C), Zoey Aleixo (Fr., G), Sophia Tannura (Fr., G), Erika Riggio (So., G), Makenna Gay. (Fr., G), Eva Munoz (Fr., F).
Outlook: The Bears were hit pretty hard by graduation, losing seven seniors, including second-team All-Area pick Tamea El. But, Retzlaff said, the inexperience does nothing to lighten expectations. Nieves, a newcomer, joins the returning Caitlin Gay in supplying the leadership needed to navigate through a tough Red Division schedule, the coach said, while fellow returners Oster and DelosSantos-Branson hope to also build on past experience. East Brunswick will rely heavily on a talented freshman class, who will learn on the fly, including Aleixo, who is projected to start out of the gate.
More: Girls basketball: Central Jersey players to watch in 2023-24
MONROE
Coach: Leigh Vogtman
Last season: 17-10
Top letterwinners lost: Katelyn Louro, Haley Higgins.
Roster: Avery Labaska (Sr., F), Halley Cottrell (Sr., G), Nicole Turco (Sr., G), Sayika Musuku (Sr., F), Evangelina Francisco (Jr., G), Keya Patel (Jr., G), Sarah Levy (Jr., F), Stevie Albert (Jr., G), Rehoboth Lana (So., F), Sophia Rivas (So., G), Mia Jade Marabuto (Fr., G).
Outlook: The Falcons are looking to build on their accomplishments after going to the Central Group 4 final last season. And while they did graduate some key pieces, including third-team All-Area pick Katelyn Louro, there’s quite a bit back, as Monroe seeks to make another run. Still, in a very competitive division, Vogtman said, her club will take it one game at a time and focus on growth throughout the season. Cottrell, who notched 11.7 points per game, is joined by Francisco as the top returners. Labaska, Turco, Levy and Rivas are also expected to be part of the regular rotation.
NORTH BRUNSWICK
Coach: Michelle Marano
Last season: 7-17
Top letterwinners lost: Niyell McCargo (G).
Roster: Jayda Sharp (Jr., C/F), Shahd Elshamma (So., G), Katie DeGaetano (Sr., G), Chloe Hardy (So., F), Sydney Joseph (Fr., G), Ashna Kalawadia (Fr., G).
Outlook: Marano, a North Brunswick alum who, previously, was an assistant coach at New Brunswick, takes over the Raiders, replacing longtime coach Mark Zielenski. She takes over a team that suffered some key graduation losses, including that of first-team All-Area honoree Nyell McCargo, who finished her career with over 1,500 points. Sharp and Elshamma are expected to be the top contributing returners, while Joseph looks to make a name of her own as a freshman, the coach said.
OLD BRIDGE
Coach: Alec Alspach
Last season: 16-10
Top letterwinners lost: Gabrielle Walker (G), Malvina Sullivan (G), Leena Tran (G), Zainab Soomro (G), Michelle Boateng (G).
Roster: Abigail Jazmin (Sr., G), Payton Kmiec (So.), Adrianna Misciagna (Jr., F), Danielle Boateng (So., G), Haylee Blackman (Jr., G), Bridget Lutz (Sr.), Camryn Smith (Sr., C), Jennelle Sawyer (Sr.), Aly Chan (Jr.), Sanai Thompson (Sr.), Marilyn Togun (Fr.), Jada Kmiec (Jr.).
Outlook: The Knights have endured a mass graduation exodus since last season, losing the majority of the starting lineup, so there is some work to do and some talent to emerge if Old Bridge is to remain a factor in the Red Division and in the county. Jazmin, a four-year starter who notched a team-high 11.8 points per game last season, will lead the way, with a lot of inexperience around her, including role players from last year stepping into more key minutes. That includies Lutz, as well as fellow seniors Sawyer, Smith and Thompson, who are all over 6-foot. Returning juniors Blackman, Chan, and Misciagna will welcome rookie classmate Jada Kmiec, who is joined by her sophomore sister, Payton Kmiec, and lightning-quick sophomore Danielle Boateng, who moves into the starting lineup with Jazmin, Misciagna, Blackman and Smith. Togun, a freshman, features a long frame and muscular build, Alspach said, and she should prove essential for the Knights’ success.
PISCATAWAY
Coach: Chris Puder
Last season: 7-17
Top letterwinners lost: Autumn John (G).
Roster: Courtney Edmundo (Sr., F), Yzabelle Hernandez (Sr., G), Jayla McNeil (Sr., F), Alyssa Rice (Sr., G), Ines Lasfar (Jr., G), Makayla Williams (Jr., G), Ann Zamor (Jr., F), Dara Gonzalez (So., F), Jordan Satterthwaite (So., G), Sarae Croley-Battle (Fr., F).
Outlook: While losing Autumn John to graduation leaves a hole, the returning varsity players have seen a great tone and pace to every practice in the preseason, showing promising signs for the new campaign. Rice, Edmundo, Williams and newcomer Sarae Croley-Battle will look to lead a balanced offensive attack, Pruder said, as the Chiefs look to improve on last year’s record by improving their defensive intensity and seeking to create more turnovers. Rice, who notched 12 points per game a year ago, should lead the way on the court, with Edmonds, the only other senior starter, also proving key.
SOUTH BRUNSWICK
Coach: Ryan Murphy
Last season: 19-8
Top letterwinners lost: Katie Rausch
Roster: Meher Vig (Sr., G), Leilani Pinder (Sr., G/F), Trisha Reddy (Sr., G/F), Saesha Bhat (Sr., F), Alexis Lease-Springer (Jr., G/F), Kendall Dixon (Jr., G), Avery Jenne (Jr., G), Ashley Silva (So., G/F), Jackie Prupis (Jr., F), Quinn Fitzgerald (So., F), Alyssa Herrera (Fr., G), Kayla Herrara (Fr., G).
Outlook: Ryan Murphy, who spent the past five season as the head coach at J.F. Kennedy-Iselin, takes over the helm of a Vikings team that notched 19 wins last year and went to the semifinals of both the county and state sectional tournaments. But South Brunswick is also a team will be without graduated second-team All-Area standout Katie Rausch (14 PPG), leaving Vig (11 PPG) and Lease-Springer (12.6 PPG/6.3 RPG) to head the list of returners and lead the way this year. Murphy expects his team to challenge again in the conference, county and section, but knows juggernaut St. Thomas is the team standing in their way for two of those goals. Still, he said, South Brunswick has been very competitive in recent seasons and the Vikings’ core of returning players are hungry to compete.
ST. THOMAS AQUINAS
Coach: Tim Corrigan
Last season: 22-7
Top letterwinners lost: Jessica Cooper (F), Nia Clemons (F), Leah Crosby (F - transfer), Amarilis Shubick (G - transfer).
Roster: Gianna Chuffo (Jr., G, 5’6), Adriana Summersett (Jr., G, 5’3), Jordan Barnes (So., F, 6’0), Reese Sebok (So., G, 5’10), Crisgeily Hernandez-Corsino (So., G, 5’7), Trista Whitney (So., G/F, 6’0), Zoe Wilcher (So., F, 6’1), Lauryn Downing (Fr., G, 6’0), Leah Kearney (Fr., F, 6’1), Madison Rorie (Fr., G, 5’8).
Outlook: Corrigan, who spent last season assisting Joe Whalen, takes the helm from the veteran coach who stepped down after last season. Corrigan, a former Kean University standout, was the head coach at Watchung Hills for two seasons before coming to STA, and he inherits a state power that was not only hit hard by graduation, but also by transfer, losing four starters since last season. That included first-team All-Area star Jess Cooper, who graduated, and third-teamer Leah Crosby, who transferred to Rutgers Prep. The defending Red Division champ and three-time defending GMC Tournament winner will not feature a returning senior, with juniors Chuffo and Summersett expected to lead the way. Despite the graduations and defections, Corrigan still expects to have a deep and talented team, one that included a couple of incoming transfers, like Whitney, who had a big freshman year at Edison last season, notching 12.5 points and 6.3 boards per game. Still, with five sophomores and three freshmen in the rotation, the coach acknowledges the Trojans will need to work through some growing pains. The earlier they get through them, he said, the better St. Thomas will be positioned to win another GMC title and make a deep run in the state tournament.
White Division
EDISON
Coach: Frank Eckert
Last season: 21-7
Top letterwinners lost: Bonnie Sellers, Keisha Ortiz, Trista Whitney (transfer).
Roster: Ghelsey Go (Sr., F), Jocelyn Gross (Sr., F), Olivia Smart (Jr., F), Angelisa Kearns (So., G), Kate Hahn (So.), Isabella Charles (Jr., G), Khaliyah Revan (Jr.), Kiara McKay (Fr.), Kate Hahn (So.), Sakaiya Figueroa (Jr.).
Outlook: While graduation went relatively easy on the defending White Division champs, the Eagles weren’t able to escape offseason turnover, losing last year’s super freshman, Trista Whitney, to St., Thomas on a transfer. Still, Edison brings back some excellent pieces, including first-team All-Area honoree Ghelsey Go, as they seek another conference crown. Go, who notched 16.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game last season, and is just 136 points from reaching 1,000, uses her basketball IQ to keep everyone focused and in the best position to succeed, said Eckert, the reigning HNT Coach of the Year. Smart has also taken on a leadership role, leading by example and motivating everyone around her, the coach said. Gross, Kearns and Charles are expected to join them in the starting lineup, as the Eagles look to ride their defense to another big year.
J.F. KENNEDY
Coach: Dominick Rella
Last season: 7-19
Top letterwinners lost: Sidney deVoogd (C).
Roster: Paula Antunes (Sr., G), Lorelei Lorentzen (Jr., G), Kristinka Kuzar (Sr., F), Mia Montanez (Jr., F), Laila Gray (Fr., G), Kathryn McDermid (So., C), Anastasia Kotsakis (So., F/C), Eva Kuzar (So., F).
Outlook: Rella, a JFK alum who has been coaching the Mustangs JV boys team the past five years, takes over as the girls head coach from Ryan Murphy, who left to take the South Brunswick job. He inherits a team with a big hole in the middle, left by deVoogd’s graduation and the 16 points and 12 rebounds per game she took with her. Antunes and Lorentzen are expected to lead a young group that, the coach said, needs to learn and improve every time out.
J.P. STEVENS
Coach: Tim Weber
Last season: 12-15
Top letterwinners lost: Rhea Gupta (G), Nicolette Diserio (PG).
Roster: Trisha Nair (Sr., PG), Katherine Bogutskyy (Sr., G), Genilah Singleton (Sr., G), Cassidy Gesualdo (Sr., F), Chloe Chan (Jr., F), Emma Clemens (Sr., PG), Tanvi Yakkali (Sr., G), Mansi Mohanraj (Jr., F), Jeslyn Victor (Jr., F), Amber White (Jr., F), Aliyah Manley (Fr., G), Isabella Malinconico (So., G).
Outlook: The Hawks hope to continue to make strides in the right direction after showing steady improvement the past three seasons. Key injuries prevented JP Stevens from competing at full strength at times last year, and Weber is looking forward to seeing what this team can do when fully healthy. The Hawks get their two best players back in co-captains Nair and Bogutskyy, who notched 11.5 points and five rebounds last season and is just 356 points shy of 1,000 career points. She would be only the eighth girl in JPS history to reach the mark. Weber said Chan has had a tremendous offseason and he’s expecting her to take a big leap, while Singleton and Gesualdo, who have both proven they can contribute scoring, should also prove key. Manley, a freshman, should have an immediate impact, the coach said. Clemens, White, Mohanraj, Yakkali and Victor will also have key roles, Weber said.
MIDDLESEX
Coach: Stewart Lester
Last season: 20-9
Top letterwinners lost: Neysa Aguilar (G).
Roster: Jessica Devine (Jr., G, 5’7), Jaclyn DeShields (Sr., G/F, 5’7), Mckenna Healey (Sr., F, 5’10), Alexis Demeter (Jr., G, 5’6), Alyssa Young (So., G, 5’3), Sara Nazha (Sr., G, 5’6), Armani Nguetsop (Jr., F, 5’10), Taylor Lawrence (Fr., F, 5’11), Destiny Martinez-Sconiers (So., G, 5’3), Amelie Duran (So., G, 5’3), Madisyn Nieves (So., F, 5’8).
Outlook: Lester, who spent the past four years as an assistant boys coach at Middlesex, takes over the girls program from Kevin Harper, who departed at the end of last season. Despite the graduation of standout guard Neysa Aguila, the Blue Jays remain focused on competing in the tough White Division and contending for the Central Jersey Group 1 crown, Lester said. Devine, who notched 18.1 points, 5.8 assists and 5.9 steals per game last year, earning third-team All-Area honors, returns to lead the way. DeShields, a sharp-shooter, and Healey, a vocal leader add to an experienced club. Demeter and Young will also contribute as starters, while Nazha, Nguetsop and Lawrence are expected to establish themselves in the rotation.
NORTH PLAINFIELD
Coach: Derrick Eastman
Last season: 17-9
Top letterwinners lost: Yazmen Zafar(grad), Nyla Felton (Sr.).
Roster: Layla Guiterrez (So., PG), Kaelyn Hester (So., G), Avani Jones (Sr., F), Saionni Patrick (Sr., F), Jayla Worthy (Sr.), Taylor Mooney (Jr.), Briana Louise (Jr.), Saniaah Patrick (Fr.), Amaliyah Jean-Louis (Fr.), Liaha Paynter (Fr.), Jasmine Pac (Fr.).
Outlook: The Canucks were one of the big surprise stories in the GMC last year, going from nearly two decades of struggle in the Skyland Conference’s smallest division, to a major contender in the GMC White Division. A strong injection of homegrown talent went a long way toward that end, and though North Plainfield lost Zafar to graduation and Felton to track and field -- where she’s one of the top athletes in the state -- the Canucks figure to be right in the thick of things again. North Plainfield returns Gutierrez, who had a big freshman season at point guard, and she comes back with a more polished game, Eatman said. She’s joined by Hester, a fellow sophomore, giving the Canucks a young and talented 1-2 punch. The addition of Worthey, who notched 13.8 points and 7.1 rebounds per game for Somerset Tech last year, should also be very helpful. Jones and Saoinni Patrick have really stepped up as seniors and become the team’s vocal leaders, the coach said, while the junior class, led by Mooney and Louise, have stepped things up, especially on defense. Eatman said the standard set last year by the freshman class has bred another, and the coach expects impact play from a host of rookies, including Saniaah Patrick, Jean-Louis, Pac and Paynter.
PERTH AMBOY
Coach: Patrick Ricks
Last season: 8-14
Top letterwinners lost: Kyara Marquez, Laura Angeles
Roster: Izabella Pardo (So., PG. 5’7), Xziah Johnson (Jr., F, 5’10), Heilyn Cruz (So., PG. 5‘8), Jolie Dawson (Sr., G, 5‘7), Chiazokam Uzoegwu (Jr., F, 5’10), Nicaury Montano (Jr., C, 5’11).
Outlook: The Panthers return just one starter from a season ago in Pardo, a point guard who averaged 12 points per game as a freshman, and she will be counted on to lead a young inexperienced team. Juniors Johnson and Uzoegwu will be relied on in the frontcourt, while Cruz pitches in from the backcourt and Dawson, a first-year senior, looks to provide some solid shooting and leadership.
SAYREVILLE
Coach: Janet Cook
Last season: 0-25
Top letterwinners lost: Janai Negroni (G), Ashley Ament (F).
Roster: Kaylee Elizarov (Sr., F, 5'6), Mikayla Payne (Sr., G, 5'5), Angelina Sepulveda (Jr., G, 5'5), Folakemi Akinokun (Jr., F, 5'8), Clara Fawzy (Jr., G, 5'6), Sophia Matula (So., G, 5'6), Daniella Verlingo (Sr., G, 5'4), Mehak Kaur (Jr., G), Dyanna Sharpe (Fr., G), Nini Tkemaladze (Fr., F), Karina Cardoso (Sr., F), Breanna Amponsah (Jr., G).
Outlook: Last year proved to be a tough go for the Bombers, who went 0-25, but there were plenty of lessons learned by a team that returns a bunch of players from last year that are looking to build on their experience. Sepulveda, Akinokun, and Elizarov all played significant minutes last year and will be looked toward to lead the way. Freshmen Sharpe and Tkemaladze should also have an impact.
SOUTH PLAINFIELD
Coach: Alexandra DeVivo
Last season: 12-15
Top letterwinners lost: Sara McNelly (G).
Roster: MaKenzie Harris (So., F, 5’6), Olivia Kapolka (Jr., F, 5’7), Sam Moench (So., G, 5’4), Stella Sweeney (Jr., G, 5’4), Lindsay Oller (Sr., F, 5’5), Alyna Hosein (Sr.), Emily Davis (Jr., G, 5’5), Eriel Catalanotti (Jr.), Aaliyah Spaulding (So., G, 5’4), Ava Aneses (So., G, 5’4), Madison Droge (Fr.), Zoe Cabrera (Fr.), Charnielia Grant (Jr.), Sydney Villanueva (So.).
Outlook: DeVivo, who has coached locally for the past five years, takes over the Tigers program, heading a five-person coaching staff that will be made up entirely of women this season. The first-time varsity head coach inherits a team that lost star Sara McNelly to graduation, but gets back some established talent. The coach said Oller, Sweeney, Hosein and Kapolka have all shown leadership both on and off the court and pushed their teammates to work as hard as they can and show them the varsity ropes. Oller, Sweeney, Kapolka, Harris, Moench, Davis and Spaulding project to begin the season as the regular rotation.
WOODBRIDGE
Coach: Bobby Timinski
Last season: 14-11
Top letterwinners lost: Izzy Reyes (PG), Amaya Green (C), Amber Miltenberg (G), Aviva Palms (transfer).
Roster: Angel Smith (So., G), Vanessa Morales (Sr., G), Aliyah Folarin (Sr., C), Jade Allan (Sr., PG), Alyssa Pollock (Sr., C), Jennah Johnson (Sr., G), Janai Ebinim Reaves (So., G), Zoe Torres (So., G), Layla Mercado (Fr., G), Juliet Zvoc (So., C), Gia Allan (So., G).
Outlook: The Barrons return with last year’s top 2 players having departed – Reyes to graduation and Palms, a second-team All-Area performer, to transfer – but between what Woodbridge has back and what it has coming in, expect the Barrons to remain in the mix in the White Division. Johnson, who starred at Non-Public power Gill St. Bernard’s the past three years, returns home, fresh off signing a DI commitment to UMass-Lowell, and her addition should go a long way toward easing the transition -- though she isn’t eligible until Jan. 5. When she does take the court, she’ll team with Smith, who had a dynamic freshman season, in forming a nice 1-2 backcourt punch that should give opponents fits. Timinski said Folarin brings strength and toughness down low, while Morales provides a wealth of experience, toughness and leadership. Seniors Jade Allan and Pollock will be in the mix, as well, along with newcomers Ebinim- Reaves, Torres and Mercado.
Blue Division
CARTERET
Coach: Jordyn Cusick
Last season: 10-17
Top letterwinners lost: Beauty Nwanze (F).
Roster: Jahaysia Ledesma (Jr., G, 5’7), Anilah Diggs (So., PG, 5’4), Ivanni Villegas (Jr., G, 5’6), Samantha Woode (So., F, 5’8), Daniela Portillo (Jr., F, 5’6), Skylynn Martinez (So., C, 5’10), Jenesis Fils-Aima (Fr., F, 5’9), Jazmine Fils-Aima (Fr., F, 5’9).
Outlook: Ledesma, who averaged 12 points per game last season, returns to lead a club looking to snap a three-year streak of losing seasons.
HIGHLAND PARK
Coach: Dana O’Sullivan
Last season: 16-11
Top letterwinners lost: Janiya Mitchell (PG), Ozioma Odikanwa (F).
Outlook: Flor Quesada (Sr., G/F), Selin (Kim Sr., G), Jannah Belton (Jr., G/F), Zaniya Smith (Jr., F), Vanessa Kohler (Jr., G/F), Mahogony Wilson (Jr., G), Thara Belton (So., G), Ava Kohler (So., G), Cora Kaper Dale (So., G/F), Evelie Rodriguez (So., G).
Roster: The Owls did lose a four-year starter to graduation in Mitchell, but return pretty intact, otherwise, and are looking forward to building off a solid season a year ago that saw them win 9-of-10 down the stretch. O’Sullivan expects great leadership again from Kohler, who is key to their success after notching 13 points and 6 rebounds per game last year. The coach also has high hopes for Smith in the paint, and is hoping young players like Belton and Ava Kohler can step up and contribute on the offensive end.
METUCHEN
Coach: Kathy Glutz
Last season: 18-9
Top letterwinners lost: Aurelie Germain, Cassidy Connors, Charlotte Breen, Katie Gray
Roster: Sam Pfeiffer (Sr., G), Kaitlyn Connors (Jr., G), Vicky Zaniecki (So., G), Ella Polakowski (Sr., C), Josie Gray (Jr., F), Lucie Pallotta (So., G), Leah Honig (Jr., G), Ava Barasch (Jr., F), Charlotte Murphy (Fr., G), Liana Rodriguez (Sr., G), Raven Perez (Jr., C), Grace VanLeeuwen (So., G), Sammie Powers (Fr., G/F).
Outlook: While mass graduation is never fun – especially for a small school – the fact the Bulldogs lost four starters, including a pair of double-digit scorers in Cassidy Conners and Aurelie Guzman, who also grabbed 11 rebounds per game last year, has done nothing to dampen Metuchen’s goals or expectations. The turnover simply gives a new group a chance to assume new roles this season, coach Kathy Glutz said. There is a strong nucleus of returning players, the coach said, including Pfeiffer, who is the only returning starter. Junior Kaitlyn Connors is back after starting as a freshman and leading the team with 104 steals, but missing last season with an injury. She teams with Pfeiffer in giving the Bulldogs a seasoned backcourt, while Polakowski and Gray will be counted on to provide points and rebounds in the paint. Zaniecki is a versatile and athletic guard/forward who will also play a key role, Glutz said. Pallotta, who started six games as a freshman, will bring tenacity and experience, while newcomers, including Honig and Murphy, are expected to be big contributors off the bench.
SOUTH RIVER
Coach: Mike Feaster
Last season: 15-13
Top letterwinners lost: Gianna Rodriguez (Jr., transfer).
Roster: Natalia Vera Cruz (Sr., G, 5‘9), Madison Vitucci (Sr., G, 5’4), Ashley Pereira (Sr., G, 5’7), Cinthia Silva (So., G, 5’4), Karina Santos (Fr., 5’7, G), Gabriella Castelhano (Fr., 5’7, G), Julianna Daly (Sr., 5-7, G).
Outlook: While graduation was kind to South River, it did lose junior Gianna Rodriguez (103.4 PPG/7.9 RPG) to transfer, but the Rams return otherwise intact, and have even added a couple of promising pieces. Vera Cruz, who totaled 12 points and 6.2 boards per outing last year, joins Vitucci as the team’s centerpieces. They’ll be joined by Pereira in leading the way. Freshmen Santos and Castelhano should round out a very athletic and defensive-oriented team, Feaster said.
SPOTSWOOD
Coach: Vin Vizzi
Last season: 17-9
Top letterwinners lost: Kayla Sabo, Meaghan Bicsko, Ava Hellerich
Roster: Ava Fama (Sr., F), Lizzie Calandruccio (Jr., G), Allie Costantino (Jr., G), Violet Tharney (Jr., F), Danielle Salvesen (Jr., F), Tatum Jones (So., G), Ella Calandruccio (So., G), Gabby Hill (Fr., G), Alex Nault (So., G), Catalina Caro (Fr., G), Elena Kroun (Fr., G).
Outlook: The defending Blue Division champs return with a nice core group of players and a few newcomers who will make key contributions, Vizzi said. That group is led by Calandruccio, who netted 14.2 points per game as a sophomore last year, good for a third-team All-Area spot. Fama and Costantino will also lead the way for the Chargers, who come into the season with high expectations, the coach said.
Gold Division
DUNELLEN
Coach: Keith Connery
Last season: 19-10
Top letterwinners lost: Linda Pimpinella (F), Brooke Newland (C), Alexa Castro (G/F), Jahzara McLaughlin (Jr.), Maria Woll (Sr.).
Roster: Emily Chalecki (Sr., G, 5’0), Wendy Woll (So., F, 5’7), Fabiana Ames-Castillo (Jr., G, 5’3), Sophie Jimenez (Jr., G/F, 5’7), Fernanda Ames-Castillo (So., G, 5’1), Stefany Vargas Gonzalez (So., G, 5’1), Rose Ciccolella (Fr., G, 5’3), Brielle Villanueva-Jadotte (Fr., F/C, 5’9).
Outlook: After sharing the Gold Division title last year, this season is looking like a rebuild for the Destroyers, who not only lost some key pieces to graduation, but also had a couple of players not return. That leaves just one returning player in Wendy Woll who played significant minutes last year. She’s joined by Chalecki in leading the way. Ames-Castillo, Jimenez and Villanueva are also expected to start for Dunellen.
EAST BRUNSWICK MAGNET
Coach: James McCloskey
Last season: 10-12
Top letterwinners lost: Camila Garcia, Ashley Tlatenchi, Kamilah Smith
Roster: E'Myah Bartee (Jr., F), Makayla Caban (So., G), Clover Long (Jr., F), Mia Phelps (Sr., G), Mia Marte (So., G), Victoria Harmon (So., C), Leila Hagins (So., C), Veronica Zalewski (So., F), E'Danoela Se Rousa (So., G), Simone McDonald (Fr., G), Madeline Szakielo (Fr., F), Ravleen Chhabra (Fr., F), E'Gashiel Comez (Jr., F), Aryonna Masters (Fr., G).
Outlook: The Tigers bring a mix of veterans and newcomers, McCloskey said, and expected to compete in the Gold Division. East Brunswick Magnet hopes to employ a tough team defense and a fast-paced offense, which the coach expects will make for some exciting games this season.
MOTHER SETON
Coach: Anthony McGuane
Last season: 5-14
Top letterwinners lost: Jalia Camacho
Roster: Angelina Caparruva (Sr., Guard, 5’2), Anwulika Ifejika (Sr., Forward, 5’6), Bridget Duffour (Jr., C, 6’3), Anna Maliakal (Jr., G, 5’3), Kate Moses (Jr., F, 5’5), Sasha Smyth (Jr., G, 5’6), Mia Pamarada (So., F, 5’9), Lana Texeira (So., G, 5’1), Kate Robimon (So., G, 5’3), Grace Roselle (Jr., 5’5), Kassandra Pombo (Fr., 5’5), Kayleigh Roach (Fr., 5’4).
Outlook: The Setters are looking to get things turned around after a five-win season, as a new coach takes the helm. Anthony McGuane, son of longtime Middlesex County football coach Phlip McGuane, takes over at Mother Seton after spending last year as an assistant boys coach at Dunellen, where he played four years of baseball, basketball and football. After losing Jaila Camacho (11 PPG) to graduation, the Setters expect to rely on Maliakal and Smyth, who led the team in scoring last year, as well as Moses down low -- all who bring plenty of varsity experience. Pamarada and Duffour are also expected to start. Seniors Caparruva and Ifejika will handle the off-the-court leadership, McGuane said.
PISCATAWAY MAGNET
Coach: Rob Gardella
Last season: 9-14
Top letterwinners lost: Bayanne Chahine
Roster: Matti Miller, Jalissa Santana, Makayla Wise, Shakaila Danastor, Debra Villa Corta, Sonaiya Jaworski, Eva Hernandez.
Outlook: Miller, who enters the season with 810 points will lead the way for a team that hopes to improve its fundamentals and to compete in every game, Gardella said.
SOUTH AMBOY
Coach: Jeffrey D. Gumbs Jr.
Last season: 1-22
Roster: Sarah McLaughlin (Jr., G), Emma Kalantsis (Jr., F), Anaiah Wilson (So., G), Olivia Rivera (So., G), Gwen Kalantsis (Fr., G).
Outlook: Jeffery Gumbs takes over as head coach after previously serving as an assistant coach at North Plainfield and Perth Amboy. He is expecting McLaughlin, Emma Kalantsis, Gwen Kalantsis, Olivia Rivera and Anaiah Wilson to being the season as the starters.
TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN
Coach: Michael Pineiro
Last season: 7-17
Top letterwinners lost: Nia Azzi (transfer), Holly Medina, Hannah McNulty, Hailee Medina
Roster: Leah McNulty (So.), Betsabe Torres (So.), Anya Wildgoose (Jr.), Kara Spivey (So.), Alexandra Trejo (So.), Jazmeen Coral (Sr.), Rhaiyna Brown (Fr.), Christabel Adu (So.), Valeria Gomez (So.), GloriaMia Laureano (So.), Naveah Brown (Jr.).
Outlook: Tigers coach Michael Pinero has high hopes for his program, not just in the GMC, but perhaps beyond. Leah McNulty, Spivey and Wildgoose are the returning starters looking to lead a group of newcomers, as the club looks to compete day in and day out and continue to build the foundation, the coach said.
WARDLAW-HARTRIDGE
Coach: Michael Howell
Last season: 11-8
Top letterwinners lost: Aastha Patel (G), Amy Sun (F).
Roster: Kayla Martel (Sr., G), Devin Coleman (Sr., G), Faye Zhu (Sr., G), Italia Penevolope (Jr., F), Rajwan Sindhar (Jr., F), Saveena Boga (Jr., G), Cydney Strauss (So., F), Sophia Riccio (So., F), Moisha Jha (So., F), Bianca Bellino (Jr., G), Kate Clemetson (Jr., G).
Outlook: The Rams started 6-0 and 10-2 last season and return a nice group of players that should help them contend again.
WOODBRIDGE MAGNET
Coach: Tatiana Yourstone
Last season: 9-15
Top letterwinners lost: Vidisha Maharana (G), Nithya Suresh (F).
Roster: Kiah Parekh (Jr.), Shruthi Saravanan (Sr.), Raashi Parbhakar (Jr.), Dhanashri Balamurugan (Jr.), Veda Sudhini (So.), Jennessa Raval (So.), Diya Sudhini (So.), Sumati Gurram (So.), Lakshmi Nair (So.), Sanjana Anchula (So.).
Outlook: The squad formerly known as Woodbridge Academy brings back some quality talent as it looks to build on last year’s nine-win campaign, a run that saw some bright spots at times during the season. Veterans Saravanan and Dalamurugan (11.5 PPG last year) are expected to have big impacts, the coach said. The team did lose six players to graduation, so there is plenty of youth to be molded. Yourstone said she is excited to see how the underclassmen learn from each other and become key players in important situations. Parekh, Raval and Gurram are also expected to start.
Simeon Pincus has been covering NJ sports since 1997. He can be reached at CNGirlsHoops@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter/X @SimeonPincus
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: NJ Girls basketball preview: A look at the Greater Middlesex Conf.
