The Midland Park forward was comfortable around the basket. She was strong going to the rim, tenacious on the boards.
Yet when point guard Chloe Kasbarian tore her ACL in the Panthers’ second game last season, Ghalam found herself in an unfamiliar role.
Her ball-handling developed. Her decision making improved. She became more of an all-around scorer.
“Even if I liked the 4 spot better, which I do, if I can be point guard and help my team,” Ghalam said, “I’ll do it.”
So when the senior returned to her natural position this season, Ghalam was even more dangerous at both ends of the floor. Averaging 13.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 2.2 steals, Ghalam has helped Midland Park (13-5), ranked No. 19 in The Record girls basketball Top 25, become one of North Jersey’s strongest teams.
The 17-year-old is a four-year varsity player. She was an occasional starter her freshman year before becoming a full-time starter as a sophomore. From the beginning, she bought into Midland Park’s belief that defense comes first.
