Former champ is new Pirate coach
By: Bob Nuse
Lisa Guarneri knows what it is like to be part of a successful basketball program.
As a player at Piscataway High, she was part of a team that won a state Group IV championship and reached the Tournament of Champions final. As the new head girls’ basketball coach at West Windsor-Plainsboro High South, she’s hoping to eventually get the Pirates to that level.
"I really enjoyed playing basketball and I enjoy working with the kids," said Guarneri, whose team will open the season tonight at Ewing. "It’s a great situation for me. I work for my dad’s company and that’s pretty flexible for me. I was looking for a head coaching job and by word of mouth I heard about this opening. It seemed like a good fit. I came down and interviewed and got the job."
After a successful career at Piscataway, Guarneri played at the University of Illinois before transferring to Virginia Tech. As a sophomore at Illinois in 1998-99, Guarneri was the starting point guard, playing in 31 games, while starting 26 and was an Academic All-Big 10 Selection as a sophomore at Illinois.
As a senior at Virginia Tech, she helped the Hokies go 21-11, falling in the fourth round of the WNIT.
"After I graduated, I got my masters and while I was doing that I coached an AAU team," she said. "Last year I coached the JV team at Piscataway. I think it helps me that I was an AAU coach for two years and I ran all the practices. As a JV coach you’re the second person and there is not as much responsibility there. So I was glad to get that experience at the AAU level and being able to run a program."
Guarneri came into the season knowing very little about her players with the Pirates. After just a couple of weeks, she’s been pleased with what she has seen.
"They’re a good bunch of kids that really seem to get along," Guarneri said. "They’ve also been able to pick things up pretty quick. A lot of the girls played a fall sport, so they came in at the beginning in pretty good shape."
Guarneri is excited about the opportunity to coach the Pirates, who struggled through a five-win season a year ago.
"I love basketball and I like being around the kids," she said. "So it’s a good combination for me. When I was growing up I always played basketball and I knew that some day I wanted to be a coach. I like being at the high school level. In college, it’s more of a business. I like the teaching aspect of the high school game."
She’ll have to get to know the Colonial Valley Conference. And she’ll have to get to know her players. But for now, Guarneri is pleased with the way things have started.
"It’s nice because my JV coach, Erin DeVaney, played at Ewing," Guarneri said. "So she has a good knowledge of the CVC and that will be a big help. I’m still learning the league and getting used to the teams. Since everybody seems to play at the same time, it’s hard to watch a lot of other games. I’m going to do my best to learn as much as I can as fast as I can. And I also have Erin here to help me."

