By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
Natalie Everett has a hard time believing her high school basketball career will be coming to an end.
“I am already getting motional about it,” the West Windsor-Plainsboro High North senior said just two games into her senior season. “This is my senior year and knowing it is the last year you have incentive to just play your hardest every game. Because every game you have one last everything.”
The Knights have started out this season looking like it could be special one. The lineup includes a pair of seniors – Jasmin Watson and Chrissy DiCindio – who have been starters since they were freshman. Everett is in her fourth year with the varsity and third as a starter, while senior Ciahani Hunt also returns as a starter. They improved to 2-0 with a 76-24 win over Hamilton on Tuesday.
“We have had the same team for four years,” said Everett, who scored 10 points in the win over the Hornets. “So this is literally what we have been waiting for all this time. Ciahani just came last year. But me, Jasmin and Chrissy have been together since seventh grade. You can see every year in practice not only is the skill getting better but our team chemistry. We just flow together as a team. You can’t ask for anything else.”
The Knights feature incredible balance in their lineup, which makes them tough to play against. Hunt had 17 points in the win over Hamilton, while DiCindio had 14 and Watson added 13.
“They have been playing together for a while,” North coach Bob Boyce said. “Watson four years. DiCindio for four years. Everett for three years. They have played a lot of varsity basketball and have a lot of experience. That makes a difference. There is a lot of talent.
“If we can stay healthy, because we’re not deep, and also stay out of foul trouble, I think we can battle anybody. Notre Dame is good, Trenton is Trenton and Ewing is very good. But I think we can be right there with them.”
DiCindio is the inside strength for the Knights, while Hunt and Watson are strong on the perimeter. Everett is the versatile one who fills in wherever she is needed.
“I just fill in the gaps, I think,” Everett said. “If someone is off with their shooting or Chrissy is not doing well in the paint I just fill in. I just do whatever is needed. If you out me in there t rebound, I’ll rebound for you.
“In seventh grade I never used to be able to shoot. I would always just stay in the paint and try to get a layup. It took me a while to get out of my comfort zone.”
The Knights opened the season with a 63-13 win over Lawrence and followed that with the win over Hamilton. They were scheduled to face Hightstown on Thursday and will host the War of the Worlds Tournament next week.
“I feel like we haven’t really been tested yet,” Everett said. “I can’t wait until we have a game that just pushes our limits.”
That is something Everett and her classmates have been preparing for since middle school. And they are certainly prepared for the challenge.
