Ewing’s goals go well beyond Patriot title
The Ewing High varsity girls basketball team does not look at the arrival of the 2017-18 season as an opportunity to start again.
Rather, 10th-year head coach Mike Reynolds’ team looks at it as a time to continue. The Blue Devils who made it to the Mercer County Tournament final, won the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III crown and advanced to the state semifinals a year ago are chomping at the bit to pick up where they left off.
Leading Ewing’s list of returnees is six-foot senior forward Mya Grimes, who begins her final year of high school nine points from 1,000. She will go for that milestone in the season opener when Hightstown visits Emil Wandishin Gymnasium at 7 p.m. Friday.
“I’m hoping the experience last year will inspire them. They can probably play off that,” Reynolds said. “We’ll have a different feel off bench. But everybody’s ready to go.”
So is the Blue Devils’ competition in the Colonial Valley Conference Patriot Division with Steinert, Hopewell Valley and Robbinsville, each of whom won 15 games last season, eager to play spoilers.
The Spartans bring back 5-foot-8 senior guard Tatiana Dorner, who averaged 10 points per game last year, and nine other players who saw varsity minutes.
“Our backcourt will consist of experience and speed as (Dorner) will be flanked by strong utility junior guards Leila Collazo and Jayda Bing,” sixth-year head coach Kristin Jacobs said. “We hope to be competitive in the Patriot Division and continue to improve on last season’s record.”
The Bulldogs have 5-9 junior forward Meggy Wiley, who averaged 12 ppg, and six other returnees.
“Right now, we’re trying to figure out how our younger players will blend in with our returning players,” 12th-year head coach Jeff Losch said. “We’re hoping the girls continue to work hard and improve throughout the season.”
The Ravens return 5-8 senior guard Fiona Aromando, who hit for 14.4 ppg with 52 3-point field goals, and six other contributors.
“We’re looking to find our identity early on,” second-year head coach Joe Washington said. “Our goal is to be better than we were.”
Lawrence struggled a year ago, and will see what it can do under new direction from Antonio Stapleton, who has 5-11 senior forward Sarah Zoll for on-court leadership.
“We’re young and inexperienced, but trying to stay positive,” said Stapleton, whose team hosts Princeton at 5:30 p.m. Friday.
Player
Mya Grimes Kiyla Peterson Chantell Gillette Tyquazya Davis Jaycee Lowe Myasia Jackson Jentle Sheridan Kiyann Peterson Tamia Warner 6-0 Sr. F 5-4 Sr. G 5-6 Sr. G 5-8 Sr. G/F 5-7 Jr. G 5-8 Jr. G/F 5-8 So. G/F 5-3 So. G 5-10 Fr. F Mike Reynolds (10th season). Sharon Conover, Katie
Head Coach — Assistant Coaches —
Lindacher.
Last Season —
26-5 overall, 7-1 CVC Patriot, Patriot Division champion, Mercer County Tournament runner-up, NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III champion, state semifinalist.
The Blue Devils graduated four seniors and have another solid senior class. The positives from last season should carry over as this group continues to show what it can do.
Outlook — Player
Kira Atkinson Bailey Coughlin Meggy Wiley Nicole Apai Katee Kemether
Height Yr. Pos Pos
F F F G F Charlotte Hare Ally Oldfield Addie Danieluk Maddie Schrader Franki Gomez 5-9 So. G
5-7 So. G
5-8 So. G
5-9 So. F
5-6 Fr. G
Jeff Losch (12th season). Kristy Sharp, Jim Reese, Jeff
Head Coach — Assistant Coaches —
Neumann.
Last Season — Outlook —
15-11 overall, 5-3 CVC Patriot. The Bulldogs graduated two who supplied a lot of guidance last season. Hopewell Valley is not as experienced this year, but it should get stronger as the campaign progresses.
Player
Sarah Zoll 5-11 Sr. C Nia Stokes 5-7 Sr. F Khalin Hemingway 5-7 Jr. F Adeline Ripberger 5-6 Jr. G Sydney Schreiber 5-6 Jr. F/C Katie Howell 5-7 Jr. G/F Haley Lestician 5-6 So. F Sadena Rishindran 5-7 So. G Heaven Cartwright 5-1 So. G Briana Audet 5-0 Fr. G Kendra Dempsey 5-7 Fr. F
Antonio Stapleton (first season).
Head Coach — Height Yr. Pos Assistant Coach — Last Season — Outlook —
Tiffany Howe.
0-24 overall, 0-8 CVC Patriot. Former boys assistant Stapleton takes over for eight-year girls head coach Dana Williams. Lawrence graduated four and will need all the players to improve their games as they learn what is expected from their new coach.
Player
Fiona Aromando 5-8 Sr. G Julia Cueto 5-8 Sr. G/F Danielle Heulitt 5-10 Sr. F Mounika Janyavula 5-9 Jr. F Maya Johnson 5-10 So. F Brianna Young 5-6 So. G Molly Aromando 5-8 So. G Brooke Torrington 5-2 So. G Marieli Perez 5-3 So. G Teresa O’Neill 5-2 So. G
Ally Schatz 5-4 So. G Aileen Valerio 5-7 So. G Claire Mauerman 5-7 Fr. G/F Yasmine Alrefai 5-8 Fr. F
Joe Washington Jr. (second season).
Kat Jimenez.
15-11 overall, 5-3 CVC Patriot. The Ravens graduated four and lost
Head Coach — Assistant Coach — Last Season — Outlook — Height Yr. Pos
another expected returnee, but have eight other players back. If R’ville continues to follow the team concept that Washington uses, it will continue to cause problems for opponents.
Player
Erika Golik Tatiana Dorner Jordan Jones Natalie Mehl Jayda Bing Leila Collazo Emily Diszler Alyssa Huth Crysten Wood Alex Haley Victoria Comfort Nicole Pappas 5-11 Sr. F
5-8 Sr. G
5-8 Sr. G/F
5-9 Jr. G
5-8 Jr. G/F
5-6 Jr. G
5-9 Jr. F
5-7 Jr. G
5-6 So. G
5-5 So. G
5-6 So. F
5-8 So. G Kristin Jacobs (sixth season).
Kaitlyn Wolfsgruber, Jim Giglio,
Head Coach — Assistant Coaches —
Barbara Innatto.
15-13 overall, 3-5 CVC Patriot.
The Spartans graduated two four-year varsity players and have a nice core returning. The bulk of Jacobs’ lineup got varsity minutes a year ago, but Steinert will need to score inside and outside, while playing tough defense, to continue building on last season.
Last Season — Outlook — Height Yr. Pos