TCA looking for improvement under new coach Fusik

Trenton Catholic Academy will try to be the cream of The Trentonian’s Suburban girls basketball crop again this winter, but the Mikes will do so under new head coach Bob Fusik.

Fusik steps in for two-year coach Craig Parker, who kept TCA playing well, including last season’s 13-10 finish, which was still tops among Trentonian-area teams from the Burlington County Scholastic League.

The Mikes have seven players back from that team, including six-foot sophomore guard Giana Boulden, who averaged 11.9 points per game last season. Five-foot-11 senior forward Jada Queen transferred in from Trenton High, where she scored 11.5 ppg and was a force on the boards.

“It’s a really good group of kids,” Fusik said. “They are a little young, but exciting. They bring a lot of energy to the floor.”

Northern Burlington will join TCA in the BCSL Liberty Division hunt, trying to knock off defending champ Rancocas Valley. In their second season under head coach Colin Hewko, the Greyhounds are hoping to show more growth, especially with two 6-1 sophomore centers in Alexa Blue and Haylei Archer.

“The girls seem a lot more comfortable this season,” said Hewko, who will have six sophomores on varsity. “They have a better feel for the game now.”

Bordentown had the second most wins of any of The Trentonian’s BCSL teams by going 11-13 for head coach Bill Lloyd. He enters his 10th season with a six-member senior class hoping to chase a Freedom Division title. The Scotties have some height, but only three players listed as guards, including seniors Devon Fitzpatrick and Genesis Walker.

New Egypt is also looking to make noise in the Freedom Division this season, its second under head coach Kaitlynn Panacek. With 5-8 forward Samantha Weber being the only senior in the bunch, the Warriors are hoping to start making inroads this winter.

“They’re looking good, and they’ve matured a lot,” said Panacek, whose team went 5-18 last year. “They all played summer league. I think they can be so much better than last year.”

Florence was 8-16 overall in 2016-17, but went 5-3 in the BCSL’s Independence Division. The Flashes will try to do so again this year with a new head coach in Gina Smith.