Lions optimistic about season with blend of youth, veterans
There seems to be a perfect mix of veterans and just enough youth to make for a very interesting women’s basketball season at TCNJ.
The Lions, who have reached the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs in each of Chessie Jackson’s first six years as coach, seem prepared and ready to have another successful season.
TCNJ opens on Friday at the Messiah Tip-Off Tournament against Salisbury at 5 p.m., and then on Saturday it will face either Messiah or Delaware Valley. Messiah is a top-25 team.
The Packer Hall opener is next Wednesday as the Lions host Stevens.
The three top returners — grad student Julia Setaro, senior Nina Branchizio and senior Izzy Leazier — all return along with senior Kaitlyn Deiter to give TCNJ a very dependable veteran presence.
“Julia’s leadership style is primarily leading by example,’’ said Jackson. “She has an intensity to her game and her focus in practice, and our young players see the work she puts in, the focus and energy she brings so consistently, and the payoff in her own game. I am so thrilled to have her back for one final season this year, and she is determined to make it the best year yet.’’
Branchizio is the calming voice on the court for the Lions.
“Nina’s on court demeanor allows our team to take risks — her poise and ballhandling skills are super impressive, and so our entire team feels more at ease when she is on the court, that is a great quality in a point guard. Plus she can really shoot it,’’ stated Jackson.
Setaro, a three-time All-NJAC player, led the Lions with 13.6 points a game, Branchizio scored at a 10.6 clip, Leazier averaged 10.2 points and led in rebounds with 5.6 and assists with 73, and Deiter had 33 blocks.
“We have a strong returning group that has a lot of in-game experience,’’ said Jackson. “So, we have been able to build on our system from last year and set a really high bar for the start of the season. Our leadership is excellent, and our drive to succeed this year is second to none.’’
Right now, and that’s subject to change, the only place the Lions are second is in the conference preseason poll, behind New Jersey City.
NJCU got a boost when former Ewing start, Tamia Warner transferred from Cairn to the Gothic Knights.
Following TCNJ in the poll is Rowan, Ramapo, Montclair State, Kean, William Paterson, Stockton, Rutgers-Camden and Rutgers-Newark.
The Lions expect transfer and grad student Natalie Kolb, from Franklin & Marshall, to be a solid addition.
The growth of sophomore Katie Fricker, junior Arianna McCleod, senior Isabella Cafaro, sophomore Myah Hourigan-Hutton and freshman Grace Kowalski will add to the depth of the Lions.
“I have been particularly impressed by how hard our team worked in the offseason — it feels like we didn’t skip a beat from the end of last season,’’ Jackson declared. “Usually it takes time to get the team back into the swing of things, but we were able to hit the ground running this year and it’s going to allow us to compete earlier in the season with better teams. I’m thrilled with the work ethic this group is showing.’’
The TCNJ roster stands at 10 and will need to stay healthy.
“I think our key to success this year is staying out of foul trouble, staying healthy, and staying focused on our goals,’’ said Jackson. “This group is determined and working hard for it, and we have the depth, experience, talent and grit to get it done.’’
It’s a determined experienced group that isn’t just ready for the challenges ahead but looking forward to them.