Following last year’s 13-14 record, Girls Basketball is preparing for a comeback season. The team looks forward to maximizing the potential of both new and returning members.

“I believe the family culture that we’ve created will definitely be translated to the court and help get us far in states again,” said senior co-captain Aliyah Lambo, explaining the team’s optimism for this season.

The girls have been training throughout the offseason, getting ready for the long winter schedule consisting of over 20 regular-season games.

“Preparing for the season, we had lifts and open gyms,” Lambo said. “A lot of our girls also play fall sports and club basketball, so they were staying in shape with that too.”

Key returning players from last year include senior co-captain Kayla Brand, who earned a total of 244 points, making the NJAC-American All-Conference second team; and Lambo, who received an honorable mention.

Other returning members include seniors Lindsey Bona, Morgan Heller, Roanna Buan, Kate Sullivan and Kayla Pentz, along with juniors Reina Daniel, Maddie Gaynor, Kayla Takac and Irene Pardo.

With the loss of only one senior last year, there were few open spots on this year’s varsity team. However, juniors Jayla Rose and Katelyn Perren have already proven themselves to be great new assets to the varsity squad.

“As a whole this year, I think we need to work on building our connections,” Pentz said. “The majority of the team is returning, so we’ll be coming in strong, but I think it will be most beneficial to strengthen those bonds that we have created throughout the past few years.”

The Rams clearly value the team chemistry and believe it is important both on and off the court. “We’ve created a family setting where it’s like having a bunch of sisters,” Lambo added.

Come support the Rams at their first home game against Wayne Valley on Monday, Dec. 9.