As a softball player, Robbinsville High senior Sara Motusesky has done a lot of practicing in March. What she wants to do this March is play a game that really counts. Or, shall we say, win a game that really counts.
“Our only goal in focus right now is to win our first game against Hightstown,” said Motusesky, a week before the Ravens opened their season Dec. 16. “But we aim to get farther in the Mercer County Tournament, and our major goal is to play a (state tournament) game in March.”
Actually, the Ravens have played one March game in each of Motusesky’s first three seasons. But they were over so quick it probably felt like Robbinsville never played them. All three were state tournament losses, with the closest being by 34 points her freshman year.
But it’s a new season with a new coach and a new attitude at Robbinsville, and Motusesky is looking forward to it and hoping there can be at least two games in March.
“I think we are more than capable of having a winning season,” she said. “We’ve come closer and closer these past couple years, and there’s always room for improvement.”
After going 11-16 last season, Robbinsville graduated its top player in Courtney Allen and also lost its long-time head coach Chris Hoffman, who returned to his roots in the Shore Conference. Taking over is Joe Washington, an instructional assistant at Allentown High School, who has served as an assistant football, basketball and track coach at Robbinsville.
Washington graduated from Northern Burlington High, where he learned the game playing under Gene Darling and his father, Joe Washington, Sr.
“Northern is where I learned a lot of basketball, as a player, but especially when I went back and coached with those two,” Washington said. “From the time I can remember, winters have revolved around being in a gym, whether that be at practice, a game or scouting another team.”
A graduate of Shippensburg University, Washington earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary social studies education, with a minor in coaching. Starting in 2012, he has been an assistant football coach at three different high schools, coached JV boys’ basketball at Northern Burlington and Allentown and coached track at Allentown and Robbinsville.
“Once I started to get to know the people and kids (at Robbinsville), I just really enjoyed the place and wanted to be there as often as I could,” Washington said. “I think it’s a great community where everyone kind of supports each other. When I heard that the girls’ job was open, I applied right away.”
The coach noted that while Robbinsville is still a fairly young school compared to many others in the Colonial Valley Conference, it has already gained a slew of impressive accomplishments.
“There are some very talented athletes in the school, but even better, all of the kids I have worked with have really been great people, which makes coaching them easy,” he said. “I have the opportunity to coach girls that have been sectional champions in other sports, so they know how to win and what it takes to be successful.”
Motusesky is one of those players. Now a four-year starter, her scoring average has improved each year from 3.9 to 4.5 to 7.5 points per game. Her goal is to average more than 10 this season, while also providing the leadership expected of her.
“Leadership is something that has been required of me since the beginning,” she said. “As a senior, I will take on the leadership role along with my fellow seniors to make sure everyone is on the same page and in the best place to achieve our goals for the season.”
Other seniors are Courtney Karagjozi and Megan Lekulitch. Juniors are Fiona Aromando, Julia Cueto, Drew Hanson, Danielle Heulitt and Jamie Skarupsky; sophomores feature Mackenzie Medders and Jennifer McArthur and freshmen are Maya Johnson and Brianna Young.
Aromando was the team’s leading scorer last year with a 13.7 average. With 497 points, she is on track to become a 1,000-point scorer.
“We lost five girls to graduation including one starter,” Motusesky said. “I think everyone on this team has been playing basketball their whole lives and have been waiting for their time on the court. Megan, Courtney, Fiona, Jamie and I all have ample experience on varsity and our other teammates are ready to step up to the challenge.”
Two weeks into practice, Washington was not prepared to discuss what role each player would have. From what he saw in the early going, he wants to control the tempo and said “if that means speeding it up or slowing it down I think we are capable of doing both.” His biggest concern is that the team takes pride in its defense and rebounding each night.
“If we can win those battles, we should have a chance in the fourth quarter,” he said prior to Robbinsville’s first scrimmage. “I love what I have seen so far in practice, and I think we are seeing how some girls may fit into the plan more every day. What I like most about this team is the work ethic that I get to see everyday. Being a new head coach and trying to put in a new system is not an easy thing to do for the coaching staff or the players, but when you don’t have to coach effort it lets everyone get right to work.”
While it can often be a difficult transition to a new coach, especially for seniors, Motusesky feels this one has gone smooth.
“The way we run practice differs in some aspects, specifically focusing on some of our weaknesses from the previous years,” she said. “We’ve all adjusted very well to the new scenario, and we’re learning just how Coach Washington coaches while at the same time he’s getting to know us as players in order to use each of our strengths to set us up for success.”
Motusesky feels in order for the Ravens to gain an elusive winning record, they need to work together, and not beat themselves with mistakes.
“I think we can potentially be one of the best teams this program has had here,” she said. “We have heart and determination and friendship, and I think all those aspects make us a team that could potentially go farther than we ever have. I think this year everyone’s a scorer and is taking on roles that they may not be used to. I think the real pressure is on us all to push ourselves to be the best players we can be.”
Washington said the team has some specific, obtainable goals that he would like to keep private for now. He feels if the girls buy into the process, they can establish a solid foundation that will also aid future teams.
“Basketball season is a 3-month-plus grinding wheel that can either crumble you or polish it into something really nice,” the coach said. “If we work hard every day and embrace that grind, I think we have a shot at achieving those goals.”
Entering her last go-around, Motusesky added, “I think all I can ask for is a fun and successful season where I can finish my career proud of what’s been accomplished here. Just as with softball, I hope to leave the game with no regrets and knowing I gave it everything I had.”
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Jamie Skarupsky reaches for a rebound.,
