The girls basketball team hopes to come back stronger this year after a tough outing last season. The team, coached by physical education teacher Barrie Foley, lost guard Courtney DeFeo and forwards Sophie Cohen and Allison Wickman from last year’s lineup. However, its key returning players include seniors Becca Barglowski, Louise Borja, Sam Boyer, Kelly Lenkey, and sophomore Natasha Anglin.

Juniors Bridget Bergen and Kristen Andreychak, who got some exposure to varsity play last year, joined the returning players, along with newcomers Cameron Howell, Olivia Buckman, and Erin Buckman, all sophomores, and senior Emily Thomson who returned from an injury.

Although the team lost a close 46-41 season opener against Roxbury, which was tied going into the fourth quarter, the Lady Raiders showed promise for a successful season, never backing down from the game.

“I thought we did very well creating our own plays to get to the basket and score,” Lenkey said. “Our defense was also very tough, and we were able to get a few steals.”

Many players contributed to the team’s scoring. Lenkey and Anglin led with 11 points each, followed by Boyer with eight, and Bergen and Howell with four each. Barglowski and Borja contributed two points and a foul shot respectively.

The Lady Raiders continued to fight through their next few games with tough opponents Watchung Hills, Montgomery, Allentown, and Bridgewater-Raritan. Despite facing several losses, the team hopes to play to its strengths and do their best this season.

“This year, our strengths are definitely shooting and defense,” Lenkey said. “Although we are a short team, we are able to shoot more outside shots and drive to the basket quicker.”

The team demonstrated this in their consolation game of the Monroe Holiday Tournament against Plainfield which they won 52-25. Carmeron Howell scored nine points to give the team a 29-10 lead at halftime. Other key scorers were Anglin who scored 11 points, and Boyer who scored 10. 

Despite losing their most recent game against Bridgewater-Raritan, key scorers continued to contribute. Lenkey led the scoring with nine points, while Boyer and Barglowski had six points each.

Throughout the rest of the season, the players hope to do their best every game and achieve steady improvement by coming together as a team.

“As a senior, I think it’s so important to have team bonding so we can inspire people to come back and enjoy the program like I did all throughout high school,” Barglowski said. “I love the younger girls and I love feeling like a mentor and learning from them at the same time.”