By Jimmy Allinder
Bishop Ahr
It wouldn’t have been shocking if the Bishop George Ahr High School boys’ and girls’ basketball teams struggled this season.
Both underwent a facelift during the offseason, with Darius Griffin Jr. succeeding Dennis O’Keefe as boys’ coach and Brittney Griffin taking over for girls’ coach Kevin Harper, bringing with them new philosophies that could have impacted the learning curve.
There were a few shaky moments in December. The girls lost to Rutgers Preparatory School and Franklin Township High School in a holiday tournament and the boys tailspinned into a five-game losing streak after a season-opening win against South River High School.
All that is but a faded memory now. The girls are 14-3 overall and 10-1 in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) White Division, and the boys are 10-7 overall and 7-2 in the Blue Division, including nine victories in the last 11 games. Both occupy second place in their respective divisions, and each coach points to games when the turnarounds happened.
“Our [47-45] win over South Brunswick [High School] Jan. 7 was really big,” Brittney Griffin said about the victory against the Red Division’s first-place team. “Even though we lost those games during the holidays, I assured our team the experience would only make us stronger, and I think it did just that. We lost to Sayreville [War Memorial High School] since then, but the girls have done a good job remaining focused on what’s ahead.”
After the fifth loss Dec. 28 — a 71-54 defeat to Hightstown High School — Darius Griffin Jr. called a team meeting. Player discipline was among many topics covered because two team members were suspended for Bishop Ahr’s game Jan. 7 against Old Bridge High School — a 55-37 defeat.
However, the Trojans were a different team two days later when they beat East Brunswick High School, 38-35, which Griffin Jr. said was when the Trojans started to believe in themselves.
It’s been uphill since with the punctuation mark being a 70-54 win against Carteret High School (15-3 overall) Jan. 27 — the first-place Ramblers’ only division loss.
“One of our team’s mottos is ‘do your job,’ ” the coach said. “Players are taught whether they are on the court or the bench, they have a job. Every player has a contribution to make.”
Deontae Crawford is team leader in points and rebounds per game (15.4 and eight, respectively), while Sean Kudelka leads in assists per game (three). Alex Santiago has been the floor general, helping to spread the floor and connecting on 27 3-pointers.
The girls have improved with the addition of freshman Emma Boslet. She leads with averages of 15 points and three steals and is second with seven rebounds per game. She also has 38 3-pointers. Senior Brianna Jackson averages 7.8 points, senior Elle Cimilluca averages 7.6 points and a team-leading 4.4 assists and junior Sara Decker leads with eight rebounds a game. Sophomore Morgan Maquire and junior Elyssa Jackson have contributed quality minutes off the bench.
Edison
Another area team experiencing a turnaround season is the Edison High School girls. After suffering through a 10-14 campaign in Frank Eckert’s first season as coach, the Eagles are 10-5 overall and second in the Red Division with a 7-4 record.
“The process began last year — our first in the Red,” Eckert said. “We were young then and still are [with three sophomores and a freshman starter], but the girls have applied what they learned from last year’s division schedule this year. Plus, they dedicated themselves during the offseason to improving their skills.”
Senior captain, Bianca Newsome has been strong defensively and has demonstrated leadership, Eckert said. Freshman point guard Madison Ruddy averages 12.2 points and 4.33 assists, and she has knocked down 35 3-pointers. Sophomore Samira Sargent leads the team with averages of 13.8 points and 38 treys.
Sophomore Daniella Marmol is the anchor in the low post and averages eight points and 10 rebounds, while sophomore Kenisha Chester averages five rebounds and guards the opponent’s top scorer.
A young bench is ready to join the fray at any time, Eckert said.
“One team, one family, one passion and one goal — that’s what represents our way of thinking,” Eckert said. “The girls have done a great job of playing together, understanding their jobs and constantly working hard.”
Eckert said the team has received a boost from three assistants who possess years of experience.
“Vin Abene, [who is head baseball coach], Rob Roma and Brian Appelbaum have a combined 69 years coaching multiple sports,” Eckert said. “We started this season being focused on achieving our goals. I am so proud to say I’m their coach, and it’s great to see the girls having fun and experiencing success at the same time.”