On Friday, December 14, the North and South basketball teams will go head to head to open the 2012-’13 season.
The boys play at North at 7 p.m. The Pirates are looking to follow up a 20-4 season that included a Colonial Valley Conference title. The Knights, who went 2-24 last year, will try to forge a new path under first-year head coach Tim Stevens, formerly an assistant coach at South. See the January 4 issue of the News for details.
The two girls’ teams, which play at 5:30 at North, were headed down different paths at the start of the 2011-’12 season. The Pirates got off to a 5-1 start while the Knights went 2-4 in their first six games. At the end of the season, though, the North girls had almost closed the gap, finishing at 10-13 with South at 12-11.
This year, the Pirates hope to once again start off strong and stay strong. “Expectations are always set,” head coach Tom Lecorchick said. “We are trying to build a championship program, and all the people associated with our program are aware of our goals and have committed to fulfilling them.”
After the Pirates graduated five seniors in June, including forwards Megan Fitzpatrick and Erica Aduy and guards Alyssa Gilman, Cai-Cai Hahn, and 1,000-point scorer Gabi Hahn, Lecorchick has some holes to fill.
He said returning players Melinda Altimore, Sammie McCormick, Katie McCormick, and Karoline Sandvig “will be counted on for some leadership on and off the court,” he said.
Lecorchick said despite the returning players, this year’s Pirate team is still very young, but “we are excited to see a duo of freshmen add to our season, Allyssa and Allyson Rivers,” he said. “We expect to be tested day in and day out by the heavy competition in the CVC.”
Lecorchick said while teams like Trenton Central consistently provide tough competition, his team always looks forward to playing them. The Pirates are also anxious to open the season against the Knights.
“We always enjoy our friendly competition against our friends and neighbors at North,” Lecorchick said. “It is great to see the entire community come out and cheer for our programs.”
Lecorchick said these games, though, are no different from any other. “We prepare for every game is if it is the most important,” he said.
#b#North: A Rebound?#/b#
On the other hand, the Knights are hoping to form a well-balanced, consistent team. Last year the team had difficulty against squads like Robbinsville, which should have been one of the easier opponents.
Conversely, North was able to upset both Notre Dame and powerhouse Trenton.
Like Lecorchick, North coach Bob Boyce has some spots to fill after graduating players like Marilyn Allen and Kerry McNeilly. McNeilly’s sister, Sarah, Kayla Foster, and the rest of the squad, though, should rise to the occasion after a good deal of experience on the court.
