Lancers look for return
to their championship form
Coach Nick Russo has set the goal high for the St. John Vianney High School girls basketball team: regaining the South Jersey Parochial A championship.
The Lady Lancers, perennial contenders for the crown, fell short a year ago. Nevertheless, St. John’s still went 21-6, and reached the quarterfinals of the Parochial A tournament before losing to Notre Dame. Russo’s team also reached the finals of the Shore Conference Tournament where they bowed to Red Bank Catholic.
"I’d like to see us return to where we were two years ago," Russo said. "This is a very talented team, and I believe they can play with anyone."
Three senior starters return to help the effort — forwards Cheri Wittlieb and Marybeth Kuenne and guard Allison Wregler. Wittlieb, one of the Lady Lancers’ top three-point shooters, averaged 12 points a year ago and has a knack for pulling down important rebounds.
Kuenne, the team’s best inside player, averaged 7.5 points and seven rebounds; Wregler also averaged 7.5 points while showing an ability to go to the hoop.
Junior Jaime Komar is likely to share point guard duties with freshman Chantel Brown.
Senior Lindsay Orosz and junior Shannon Coyle are the team’s other guards. Juniors Jackie Lang and Kerri Roberts will provide rebounding support up front, Russo said.
The coach said the Lady Lancers’ strengths include good overall team speed, a strong half-court defense, solid ball-handling skills throughout the lineup and the ability to score from three-point range.
"Our team has a good mix of players, including a few excellent senior leaders," Russo said. "They complement one another on the floor, and they put the team first."
The Lady Lancers will, however, be without the services of Katie Brown, who is out until at least January recovering from a torn ACL. The senior guard saw plenty of playing time off the bench a year ago.
"Katie played an important role for us, so we’re going to miss her, but hopefully she’ll be back in the lineup before too long," he said.
St. John’s is scheduled to open the season Dec. 14 at Matawan Regional. The Lady Lancers host Red Bank Regional Dec.18 in their home opener. Game time is 7 p.m.
The schedule also includes the Diamond State Classic tourney in Delaware beginning Dec. 27, as well as a visit from powerful New York City’s Christ the King, set for Feb. 8.