By Warren Rappleyea
With proven scorers and a deep bench that allows coach Jeff Johnson to regularly make situational changes, South Brunswick High School’s girls’ basketball team boasts a 14-2 record.
Since falling to Bishop George Ahr High School Jan. 7, 47-45, in a game that saw the Trojans come-from-behind in the fourth quarter, the Lady Vikings have won eight straight games and the best may be yet to come.
“This may be the deepest, most versatile group we’ve ever had here,” the coach said. “We’re able to use different girls when we need a stop or if we want to press. Late in games, I’m able to get our best free-throw shooters on the floor.”
South Brunswick has shown plenty of resilience. The Lady Vikings downed Old Bridge High School in overtime to take the season-opener and edged Edison High School, 60-59, also in overtime Jan. 12 to begin its current streak. On Jan. 19, Johnson’s team used a 14-6 fourth quarter run to come-from-behind for a 48-44 win against Monroe Township High School.
Johnson’s team is coming off a 54-22 victory over Montgomery High School Jan. 28, the Lady Vikings outscored the Cougars, 14-0, in the third quarter to take control of the game. South Brunswick’s leading scorer, Amber Brown, paced the offense with 21 points, including four 3-pointers.
Brown averages nearly 19 points and eight rebounds and has spent more her time at the point with Natalia Louhisdon lost for the year due to injury. She has scored in double figures in all 16 of South Brunswick’s games and hit for 20 or more points on eight occasions. Her season high of 33 came in the overtime win over Edison. Brown’s 26 3-pointers are also tops on the team.
Alexis Adams, a 6-foot junior forward, is a presence under the hoop where she averaged nearly 10 points and 6.4 rebounds. Senior Leeannah Hunter, a 6-foot-1 forward who averages 5.5 points, and 5-foot-9 Samia Baig have been solid contributors up front throughout the campaign. Inayah Jones provides additional depth for the forward line.
Senior guard Gillian Chambres is a solid two-way player who has connected for 13 treys and averages six points. Sophomore Luese Ufuah has shown she can spell Brown at the point.
Several freshmen have also been playing increasing roles for Johnson’s team. Newcomer Onoseta Ufuah, a 5-foot-9 guard, averages five points with 14 threes to her credit and crashes the boards with abandon. Alexis Royal and Sydney Coleman, who just returned from a minor injury, can both score from the outside.
“We’ve had a lot of girls step up offensively,” Johnson said. “But so much of our offense really comes from our defense. With so much depth and talent we’re able to keep the pace up throughout a game. And Onoseta and the freshmen have been great additions.”
The Lady Vikings were set to meet Greater Middlesex Conference White Division leader Sayreville War Memorial High School Jan. 31 and will visit East Brunswick High School (10-5) Feb. 2. South Brunswick has two other games before the regular season ends Feb. 10 at Pennington High School.