SPOTSWOOD, NJ - Spotswood High School's girls varsity basketball season gets going on Thursday, December 18 on the road against Edison High School. The Chargers home opener is on Saturday, December 20 against Old Bridge High School. Spotswood High School girls basketball head coach Vincent Vizzi is back for his eighth season. Last season was Spotswood's first in the Greater Middlesex Conference's White Division after back-to-back Blue Division titles. This season, the teams have been realigned, and the Chargers will be moving up to play in t...
SPOTSWOOD, NJ - Spotswood High School's girls varsity basketball season gets going on Thursday, December 18 on the road against Edison High School. The Chargers home opener is on Saturday, December 20 against Old Bridge High School. Spotswood High School girls basketball head coach Vincent Vizzi is back for his eighth season. Last season was Spotswood's first in the Greater Middlesex Conference's White Division after back-to-back Blue Division titles. This season, the teams have been realigned, and the Chargers will be moving up to play in the Red National Division along with Edison, Old Bridge, Colonia and Middlesex High Schools.
Spotswood finished with an 18-8 overall season record in the White Division, finishing in second place behind Middlesex. The Chargers lost five key players to graduation, including Danielle Salvesen, Allie Costantino, Violet Tharney, Mikayla DaRocha and Lizzie Calandruccio. Calandruccio averaged 14.5 points per game and finished her Chargers career with 1395 points. Salvesen and Costantino will be continuing their basketball careers at the collegiate level. Costantino will be playing with Farleigh Dickinson-Florham's women's basketball program and Salvesen is playing with Middlesex College's women's program.
Returning to the Chargers varsity this season is a strong core of experienced players with senior Alex Nault (forward), juniors Gabrielle Hill (guard), Cat Caro (guard), Lily Kroun (guard) and sophomore Nina Fama (guard). The point-watch is on for Hill this season. Hill is 295 points shy of the 1,000-point milestone. The junior received All-Conference and All-White Division honors for her play on the court during her sophomore season. Caro was named to the GMC's All-White Division team last winter for her contributions on the court.
New to the roster this year are a group of talented players looking to make their mark on the court, including senior Brianna Del Aversano (guard), junior Jaelyn Gonzalez (guard), sophomore Joi Bennet (guard) and Sophia Eichler (guard) along with freshmen Kayla Lewandowski (guard) and Kyla Shearn (guard). Lewandowski is coming off of an exciting final basketball season with the Joyce Kilmer Lady Knights where she set a school record, scoring 302 points in her final middle school season.
“We expect leadership and consistency from our returning players, and we also have some younger athletes who are developing quickly and could make an impact as the season goes on,” Vizzi said. “Our goals are to compete every day, keep improving and play our best basketball when it matters most.”
Spotswood has three scrimmages remaining on the schedule against Steinert, Metuchen and Sayreville High Schools before next week's season opener. The Chargers first game of the season against the Eagles is at 5:30 p.m. at Edison High School. Spotswood's home opener on Saturday, December 20 against the Knights is at 11:30 a.m.
“To be successful, we need to defend with urgency, rebound and take care of the ball,” Vizzi added. “If we stay connected, share the ball and commit to the little things, we’ll put ourselves in a good position. Overall, we have a hardworking group that supports each other, and we’re confident this team can have a strong season.”