TCA girls, boys look primed for stellar seasons
After going 26-3, winning the Mercer County Tournament and the Burlington County Scholastic League Liberty Division and advancing to the NJSIAA Non-Public B South final last season, the Trenton Catholic Academy girls’ basketball team graduated a few key players, but had a few more transfer in to keep second-year head coach Bob Fusik’s team looking like the team to beat in the area.
The Mikes have talent returning, led by sixfoot junior guard Giana Boulden, who averaged 12.1 points per game last winter. Add in 5-7 senior guard/forward Habiba Elgizawy (8.1 ppg) and 5-9 junior swing Leianya Massenat (7.5 ppg), plus 5-8 sophomore guard Jasmin Boyd and 5-8 junior guard Jahjana Saunders, both of who scored around six ppg, and Fusik’s roster looks pretty good.
Then make room for two transfers from Paul VI, 5-6 senior guard Naomi Shorts, who recently signed to go to Delaware State University, and 5-3 junior guard Maniya Custis, as well as Ciara Dailey, a 6-3 junior transfer from ConwellEgan Catholic, and Molly Aromando, a 5-10 junior transfer from Robbinsville High, and suddenly TCA has a very deep bench.
“We have a lot of girls who know how to score, but we’ve got to defend better,” Fusik said. “We’ll still be putting three new starters on the floor, and we have a tough schedule right off the bat.”
The first weekend alone, the Mikes host Liberty Division foe Rancocas Valley on opening night Friday, play Immaculate Conception at Roselle Catholic Saturday afternoon, then get a rematch of last year’s MCT final with the Pennington School at 6 p.m. Monday at the Iron Palace.
Another of TCA’s Liberty Division rivals, Northern Burlington is hoping to keep improving this season in its third year under head coach Colin Hewko.
The Greyhounds, who finished a game below .500 last year, will have a lineup of seniors and juniors to do battle this time around. Leading the drive is 5-6 senior guard Brianna Sorrento and her 5-6 junior backcourt mate Rachel Quigley, plus a pair of 6-1 juniors in Haylei Archer and Alexa Blue.
“I think we’ll be a lot more competitive this season,” said Hewko, whose team would like to turn around some close losses from last winter. “The key will be showing a little more composure in pressure situations. We’ve got to be the team that finds a way to win.”
In the BCSL Freedom Division, Bordentown will also be trying to find a way to get back above .500 after a 12-13 finish in 2017-18.
Entering his 11th year at the helm, Bill Lloyd will be counting on 5-10 senior forward Michaela Luyber to set the tone for an otherwise younger squad. Marissa Drew, another 5-10 forward, will head a six-member junior class, while the rest of the Scotties’ roster will be sophomores and freshmen looking to make an impact on varsity.
“Michaela is a floor leader and will play several positions for us,” said Lloyd, whose team will battle Holy Cross, Burlington City, Palmyra and Riverside in the Freedom this season. “Mostly, we will be a young, inexperienced group. Growing pains are inevitable.”
New Egypt and Florence will be together in the BCSL’s revamped Independence Division, which also includes Willingboro, Medford Tech and Maple Shade.
The Warriors will have a new head coach in former boys’ architect Jay Corby. He inherits an experienced squad with six seniors and six juniors, spearheaded by 5-10 senior center Amanda Morgano, 5-6 senior guard Holly Wetzel and 5-10 junior forward Sarah Weber.
“I’m expecting great things from them,” said Corby, who returns to the sidelines after six years away. “We have a good mix with players who logged solid minutes a year ago. We’ll have a deep bench. As always, I want them to play tough defense.”
There is no where to go but up for the Flashes. Even though they did not win a game with a young squad last winter, second-year head coach Gina Smith’s players have already won a scrimmage this season, giving them high hopes for more improvement.
“We’re making strides toward where we want to be,” said Smith, who’ll be counting on returnees like seniors Samantha Cartier and Anna Foehr and juniors Sierra Barrett and Olivia Loftin to help steer the team. “The girls have been working hard. We’ll need to stay true to our defense, make easy shots and minimize our turnovers to improve.”