The 2023-24 girls basketball season will officially tip off on Dec. 14, and there will be countless teams to follow from one end of the state to the other. NJ Advance Media is highlighting the top teams in each conference as Opening Night nears.
Here are the team to watch in the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference.
THE CONFERENCE’S BEST
Secaucus
Secaucus lost three seniors, including Daniela Peschetti, from last year’s team that went 29-4, 10-0 in the National Division, advanced to both NJIC Tournament and Hudson County Tournament finals, won the North 2, Group 2 sectional title and advanced to the Group 2 final. Leading scorer Alyssa Craigwell (19.9 ppg., 9.0 rpg., 3.8 spg.) returns for her senior season, along with Mia Cruz (8.6 ppg.), Gianna D’Avanzo (3.9 ppg.), Katie Lynn Schneider (3.8 ppg., 5.9 rpg.), junior Gabriella Torrillo (6.9 ppg., 4.4 rpg.) and sophomore Avalyn Torres (3.0 ppg.).
ON THE CHASE
Becton
Becton returns a bulk of its scoring from last year’s team that went 19-8 and 6-2 in the Meadowlands Division. Leading scorer Katie Reiner (20.8 ppg., 4.3 rpg., 103 3-pointers) returns for her junior season, along with Chrissy Akiki (7.0 ppg.), Analise Feliz (6.3 ppg., 9.0 rpg.) and Gracie Taylor (4.6 ppg., 11.2 rpg.).
Cresskill
Cresskill lost two seniors to graduation, including Angelina Doto, from last year’s team that went 23-8, 10-0 in the Patriot Division, advanced to the NJIC Tournament semifinals and the North 1, Group 1 semifinals. Leading scorer Erin Fahy (15.1 ppg., 10.2 rpg.) returns for her senior season, along with Julia Hasenstab (6.7 ppg., 4.7 rpg.), Maddie Morgan (5.8 ppg.) and Joslyn Lewin (3.5 ppg.).
Dwight-Englewood
Dwight-Englewood lost two seniors – Montana Nicks and Karina Pink – from its team that went 15-10 and 10-0 in the Liberty Division last year. But the Bulldogs return two of their leading scorers who led the team as freshmen last year – Lena Most (12.2 ppg., 4.1 spg.) and Natalia Valdez (11.1 ppg., 4.3 rpg. 68 3-pointers).
North Arlington
North Arlington had 11 underclassmen make some sort of an impact last season, and a bulk of that scoring returns this year. Leading scorer Skyla Acosta (8.8 ppg., 7.3 rpg.) returns for her senior season, along with Lia Cruz (8.9 ppg.) and Sophia Veloso (6.6 ppg., 5.7 rpg.), while junior Kyra Garcia (5.0 ppg.) also returns.
Park Ridge
Park Ridge might have finished with a 17-12 record last year, but the Owls advanced to the North 1, Group 1 final where they fell to Boonton. Leading scorer Allie Shenloogian (21.1 ppg., 4.9 rpg., 3.9 spg.) returns for her junior season, along with seniors Abigail McManus (4.7 ppg., 5.2 rpg., 3.2 spg.) and Mary Craffey (4.6 ppg.) and sophomores Annika Kivisikk (4.0 ppg., 7.2 rpg.) and Kate Broderick (3.4 ppg., 3.4 rpg.).
Rutherford
Another young team that didn’t have a senior on its roster, Rutherford returns its entire squad that went 14-10 and 8-2 in the National Division. Junior Taida Bicic (6.2 ppg.), seniors Maya Forte (5.3 ppg.) and Alexandra Guzman (5.6 ppg.) and sophomore Mackenzie Vellis (8.5 ppg.) will look to power the Bulldogs this season.
Saddle River Day
Saddle River Day, under new head coach Joseph Pedone, returns a bulk of its team that went 20-6, won the Bergen County Tournament title and advanced to the North, Non-Public B semifinals. Leading scorer Faith Williamson (13.7 ppg., 3.8 rpg., 76 3-pointers) returns for her junior season, along with Isabella Pedone (5.4 ppg.) and Brooke Braen (4.5 ppg.) and seniors Julianna Almeida (12.9 ppg., 7.0 rpg.) and Cristina Parrella (16.1 ppg.).
Waldwick
Leading scorer Lyla Stokes (11.9 ppg., 4.0 rpg.) returns for her sophomore season as Waldwick went 17-9 and 6-4 in the Patriot Division last season. Juniors Hailey Zirpoli (7.8 ppg.) and Abby Incorvaia (5.8 ppg.) also return, along with senior Ava Incorvaia (5.4 ppg.).
Lauren Knego may be reached at lknego@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @LaurenKnego.
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