12 CVC teams set to tip off abbreviated season
Even with the coronavirus pandemic still causing problems for indoor sports, Colonial Valley Conference girls’ basketball is set to start a limited, six-week season, beginning Tuesday.
The NJSIAA has already announced that there will be no state tournament; teams will have to stop playing after Saturday, March 6; and fans are not permitted at games.
In an effort to help the student-athletes be active, the campaign will get underway, although, as was the case in the fall, with only 12 teams. The West Windsor-Plainsboro school system has decided that its two high schools will only play within its district.
There was a little more concern since Princeton High will be following the universal mask-wearing policy (everyone, even players, will need to wear masks in those games). However, the CVC decided to allow the Tigers to play in the league.
There will be no divisional winners as was the case in the fall, but teams will be working toward some sort of twoday, in-league tournament at the end of the season. Plans are still being hashed out for that.
A year ago, Notre Dame went undefeated in league play and this season, 10thyear head coach James Martinos’ club will try to keep up its tradition behind seniors Nicole Rende and Madison McCauley.
“We only have two seniors in the program, and we have very little experience,” Martinos said. “We have some talented young players that over time will help us grow.”
Allentown, which only had one league loss a year ago, figured to have one of the county’s top interior players returning, however 6-1 senior forward Maddie McCrea (14.5 points per game) tore her anterior cruciate ligament last summer, which will keep her out of action this winter. Four of her classmates also figured to play, but chose not to, leaving third-year head coach Dana Wells with an extremely green club.
“My hopes for this year are to give the players opportunities to gain experience, develop team chemistry and build a solid foundation for our young team,” Wells said.
Trenton only lost two league games last season, but saw the graduation of its two biggest scorers, Ishuana Hunter and Leianya Massenat.
“The outlook for the season is going to be nothing less than what we as coaches and the players expect: to compete and work hard every time we step on the floor,” third-year coach Marlene Neal said.
Ewing won the Valley Division a year ago under then first-year head coach Dan Montferrat. The Blue Devils will be trying to send out four seniors on top this winter with Tamia Warner (11.6 ppg) leading the way.
“We are just taking it day by day, looking to grow together as a cohesive group,” Montferrat said. “So far, though, the girls are making the absolute most of every day at practice.”
Hopewell Valley finished a game behind Ewing last season, then saw four of its starters graduate. Third-year head coach Coleen Ross will count on seniors Franki Gomez (11.2 ppg), Acadia Kurtz and Lauren Morici.
“Our goal right now is to be competitive and to have fun,” Ross said. “I hate the term ‘rebuilding year,’ but when you lose five girls and only have one returning starter, it is what it is.”
The CVC’s most improved team in 2019-20 was Robbinsville. Fifth-year head coach Joe Washington Jr. does not have any seniors this season, yet
still has 12 returning players from a squad which went 15-11.
“We definitely want to stay healthy and be able to play the entire season,” Washington said. “One of our goals has been to become one of the top teams in the CVC and playing an all CVC schedule should give us an opportunity to compete for that recognition again this year.”
Hightstown, which was another of the league’s much improved teams last season, will have a new head coach as former assistant Jenna Marcus takes over. Seniors Ali McDonough and Maeve McGowan will lead a relatively young group, which will need to find more scorers after Kyla Glasser-Hyman (15.2 ppg) transferred to Stuart.
“We are looking to come together as a team and to grow,” said Marcus, who was a 1,000-point scorer for the Rams. “This year is all about the girls and letting them play. We almost didn’t have a season, so every game is special.”
Steinert did not have the kind of year it was used to in 2019-20 and will be looking to start getting back on track this winter.
“We are certainly working off the rust, but many of our returners look sharp,” ninthyear head coach Kristin Jacobs said. “Both our JV and freshmen teams are coming off excellent seasons, and we are evaluating the young play- ers daily to see who can help us at the varsity level.”
Across town at Hamilton West, fourth-year head coach Joe Radice will be working in a younger group with leadership provided by its lone senior Liz Kelly.
“We’re returning five players with varsity experience who will be expected to help mentor and build the confi- dence of a completely inexperienced bench,” Radice said.
After struggling last season, fourth-year coach Dave Kosa’s still young Princeton will be counting on direction from their senior guards Ashley Tumpowsky and Brynne Hennessy.
“We want to establish a sound foundation, while playing as much as possible,” Kosa said. “We need to get back to playing good, sound, fundamental basketball.”
Lawrence will have the most seniors (six) of any CVC team, which fourth-year head coach Antonio Stapleton hopes will pay off for his club.
“The girls are going to need to put in the work to get where we want to be,” Stapleton said. “With all that’s going on, I just want them to go out and do their best.”
Nottingham did not win a league game last season and will have just one senior to spearhead an extremely inexperienced club.
“Our numbers are down big time,” third-year head coach Matt Paglione said. “We have eight girls total in our program with one freshman. That’s all that came out. This season is going to be something else.”