North Jersey Interscholastic Conference

DIVISION 1

Butler

Top returners: Seniors Lucy Aviles-Rodriguez (G) and Madison Passanante (F); juniors Devin DiLiberto (G), Caitriona Kennedy (F), Kate Luciani (G) and Alexa Ullrich (F).

Outlook: The Bulldogs (9-17) endured some big graduation losses and will need many of last season’s reserves to move into expanded roles.

Eastern Christian

Top returners: Seniors Nicole Foster (G) and Maya Wilkenson (G/F); junior Gabby Angelucci (F/C); sophomore Katherine Marshall (F).

Outlook: Barry Veenstra, who led the Eagles from 2011-18, returns as interim coach to help the team regroup from a 4-19 campaign. Senior Macy Jackson also is back after two years away from the game, and freshman Mackenzie Wynbeek will contribute once she recovers from a preseason sprained ankle.

Glen Rock

Top returners: Seniors Isabella Mittelman (G), Lark Murphy (C), Aly Novick (G), Lauren Patasnik (G) and Emma Shiels (F); juniors Kayla Robinson (F) and Katie Weber (F/C); sophomores Harper Goshin (F) and Emma Mittelman (G).

Outlook: The Panthers return virtually their entire lineup and expect to contend thanks to a surplus of senior leadership and varsity experience.

Hawthorne

Top returners: Senior Rebecca Reilly (F); juniors Briana Andreoli (G), Meadow Ciccarella (F), Cammi Hoyt (G) and Daniela Sancho (F).

Outlook: The Bears (12-12) could climb above .500, especially given the return of Andreoli, who averaged 10 points per game last winter and is at 683 for her career.

Immaculate Conception

Top returners: Seniors Justise Jones, Kayla Kerdersha, Sierra Nicholais and Rose Sandiford; juniors Alex Caruso and Cameron Fulcher.

Outlook: The Blue Wolves (10-13) will miss 1,000-point scorer Jariah Paterson but welcome sophomore transfer Isabella Javier (Paramus Catholic) to the fold.

Pompton Lakes

Top returners: Senior Isabella Negrini (G); juniors Samantha Dakake (F), Jasmine Sampong (F) and Kayla Sampong (G).

Outlook: The Cardinals (16-9) have a junior- and sophomore-dominated squad. Third-year coach Britney Allison pledges the team will be “aggressive on both defense and offense”.

DIVISION 2

Cresskill

Top returners: Senior Colleen McQuillen (G/F); junior Niamh Tobin (F); sophomore Angelina Doto (G).

Outlook: The Fordham-bound McQuillen has been making the Cougars go for three seasons now, and that will continue in 2021. Tobin is back in the post, and Doto was the team’s “sixth man” last year and should move into the starting lineup, along with two newcomers.

Emerson

Top returners: Senior Tiffany Leuck (F); juniors Brooke DeSantis (G), Julia Elek (F), Gia Mandile (G/F), Joya Mattera (F) and Kristen Morgan (G).

Outlook: The Cavos’ entire starting five graduated, but several of the returners were in the main rotation last season. Coach Colleen Malzahn expects the junior quintet to step up from being role players into leadership positions.

Midland Park

Top returners: Seniors Anna Amos (F), Julia Calderone (G) and Olivia Calderone (G); juniors Jessica Balala (F/C), Avery Kasbarian (PG) and Brandi Shortway (F); sophomore Gessel Miranda (G).

Outlook: After winning the Bergen Invitational Tournament, the Panthers were hit hard by graduation. Kasbarian has the ability to lead the way offensively, and the Calderone twins can keep the team tough defensively.

Park Ridge

Top returners: Seniors Jenna Hill (F) and Katie Tudisco (C); juniors Shea Broderick (G), Ella Madden (G/F), Ashleigh McManus (G) and Kerry Perez (G).

Outlook: The Owls bring back plenty of talent, but their MO will be much different. Following the graduation of frontcourt standouts Shannon Burns and Lexi Vonderlieth, the team will rely on its guard play and athleticism.

Saddle River Day

Top returners: Juniors Saniah Caldwell (G), Dakota Corey (G), Alanis Diaz (F), Kristina Mathurin (F), Cierra Pearson (G); sophomore Mia Walsh (G).

Outlook: The Rebels return all but one regular and return to NJIC play. Sophomore Jessica Carter is ready after missing last season due to injury, and the freshman trio of guards Julianna Almeida and Bliss Vimbor and center Alexis Rosenfeld can contribute right away.

Waldwick

Top returners: Senior Ellie Mangler (G/F); juniors Emily Abbott (G/F), Mel Buschgans (G), Korie Mangler (PG) and Emily Toolen (G).

Outlook: Coach Frank Clark lists “coachability” as one of his team’s assets, as the Warriors (8-16) employ numerous multi-sport athletes eager to improve on the court.

DIVISION 3

Bogota

Top returners: Seniors April Eason (G), Brianna Moncho (F/C) and Ruby Recio (G); juniors Ashley Bautista (G/F), Maryann Gesmundo (G) and Kaylin Torres (F).

Outlook: The Bucs (5-19) enjoyed a four-win improvement from 2018-19 to last season and did not graduate any players, so the hope is that they can continue on the upswing.

Dwight-Englewood

Top returners: Senior Lilah Gmyrek (F); junior Bella Levin (F); sophomores Lily Booth (F), Jessica Feldstein (G), Amanda Miller (G), Montana Nicks (G) and Karina Pink (G).

Outlook: Nicks (13.6 ppg) is the top scorer of the returning group. Coach Ed Hodge is counting on Miller and Feldstein to keep the backcourt formidable and also anticipates contributions from a quartet of freshmen.

Leonia

Top returners: Juniors Maya DeKlerk (F), Janai Hawley (F) and Emma Reilly (F).

Outlook: Having fielded a freshman- and sophomore-dominated team last winter, the young Lions (6-20) look to take a step forward with a year of varsity experience under their belts.

New Milford

Top returners: Seniors Linda Acar (G), Ariana Lignos (F) and Ysabellah Otero (F); juniors Siva Fleischhauer (G) and Bella Maniago (G).

Outlook: The Knights (11-15) are hoping for improvement – and, as all teams are, trying to keep things in perspective in light of COVID. “We are hoping simply to be able to complete the season in as normal a fashion as possible,” coach David Wilson said.

Palisades Park

Top returners: Seniors Angelina Kasparian (G) and Helen Morales (F); juniors Jessica Bueno (F), Hailey Charles (G) and Kalima Stewart (F).

Outlook: There are many newcomers to the Tigers’ (10-16) roster, including junior volleyball player Gianna Maresca. Kasparian and Stewart are the top scoring options. “We will focus on finding our identity and build chemistry throughout the season,” coach William Hutchinson said.

Ridgefield

Top returners: Seniors Gift-Danielle Esseya (F), Gianna Haase (G), Gabi Prtoric (F) and Livia Ramos (F); juniors Deja Rose Fernandez (F) and Stacy Gomez (G).

Outlook: The Royals (10-15) graduated only one starter and believe they can contend for the division title. Ramos (19.6 ppg) has surpassed 1,000 career points, and the more secondary scorers can step up, the better Ridgefield will be.

DIVISION 4

Harrison

Top returners: Seniors Haley O’Donnell (G) and Kathleen DeSouza (G); junior Emily Leiras (G/F).

Outlook: Jennifer Caliendo takes over as coach of the Blue Tide (13-13), which hopes to build around last season’s leading scorer, Leiras (8.6 ppg).

Lyndhurst

Top returners: Seniors Gianna Alberti (G), Alexa Borino (G), Carley Martin (G) and Kiara Salme (F); juniors Francesca Castagnetti (G) and Meghan Docherty (F); sophomore Lexi Augustyniak (G).

Outlook: The Golden Bears graduated one, return seven and expect to challenge for the division crown. “Our team speed and experience should help us in close games,” coach Perrin Mosca said.

North Arlington

Top returners: Seniors Izabella Feliciano (G/F), Lianne Litchfield (G) and Jordyn Nelson (G); junior Angie Torres (G/F); sophomores Arancha Antunes (G), Nicole Garcia (G) and Kathryn Raftery (F).

Outlook: Brendan Queenan takes over as coach of the Vikings (7-18), who also welcome junior transfer Pegi Bracaj, a 5-9 forward, from Wallington.

Rutherford

Top returners: Juniors Veronica Amatucci (G), Harmony Marquez (G/F) and Jocelyn Rodriguez (G/F).

Outlook: The Bulldogs (21-8) met Secaucus in the NJIC tournament final last season. Now, the two are division rivals, and Rutherford has a younger roster than it did a year ago – with no seniors. As usual, coach Ed Guy’s team will depend upon its athleticism.

Secaucus

Top returners: Senior Lyndsey Ross (F), Gina Fragliossi (F) and Zoe Sakatos (G); junior Nicole Parise (G); sophomores Daniela Peschetti (G) and Nicole Rocha (F).

Outlook: What the Patriots lack in height, they make up for in the experience department with three starters back (Ross, Peschetti and Rocha). Secaucus is the defending NJIC tournament champion.

Weehawken

Top returners: Seniors Natalie Cancio (F) and Zionna Loftin (G); juniors Sofia Mendez (F), Viviana Mendez (G/F), Morgan Tomlinson (G) and Sydney Williams (G/F).

Outlook: All of the above earned all-division recognition a year ago. Things may get tougher in a new division with larger, traditionally successful programs, but the Indians are long on experience and have strong shooters.

DIVISION 5

Becton

Top returners: Seniors Felicia Carty (G), Mia Stockman (G) and Samirah Reyes (F); juniors Francesca Matraxia (F), Alyssa Kirk (G) and Ava McLaren (F/C).

Outlook: The Wildcats (11-15) appear to be headed in the right direction after a brief downturn and aim to finish with a winning record.

Bergen Charter

Top returners: Seniors Kame Diba (G/F), Samantha Garcia (G), Jennifer Lopez and Ayah Moustafa; junior Briza Ulloa (G/F); sophomore Melanie Cardenas (G).

Outlook: The Yellow Jackets (5-20) slowly but surely continue to make strides under second-year coach Floriana Borova, a former William Paterson star.

Hasbrouck Heights

Top returners: Senior Veronica Legaspi (G); juniors Chiara Alvarez (G), Kristal Kelly (F), Victoria Mateo (F), Paige McGuire (G), Gabby Solis (F) and Devon Sonzogni (G); sophomore Samantha Lahullier (G).

Outlook: The entire primary rotation is back, so the Aviators (12-14) have a strong foundation. “Since it’s the same group, with the addition of very athletic freshmen, we feel like the closeness of this team is unlike any I’ve seen in 17 years of coaching girls basketball,” coach Mike Kilgallen said.

St. Mary

Top returners: Seniors Alyssa Whalen (F) and Calista Kolmer (G); juniors Adriana Cabrera (G) and Bianca Diaz (F).

Outlook: Having put together back-to-back winning seasons, the Gaels (16-11) seek to keep the momentum going.

Wallington

Outlook: The Panthers (4-22) are starting from scratch with a brand new coach, Stephanie Donah.

Wood-Ridge

Top returners: Seniors Natalie Cala (G), Amanda DiMase (F) and Samantha Eckert (F).

Outlook: Former Holy Angels standout Tayler Wejnert succeeds her uncle, Lou, who passed away last July. The Blue Devils will be playing this season in his honor.

DIVISION 6

Elmwood Park

Top returners: Senior Shania Ramos (G); juniors Ariana Benitez (F), Nya Duran (G), Jaylene Ferrer (G) and Melody Peralta (G).

Outlook: Both Duran and Ferrer are on pace to become 1,000-point scorers, having started since they were freshmen. If the Crusaders (7-19) can tighten up things on the defensive end, they could make some noise in a new division.

Garfield

Top returners: Senior Caroline Farago (F).

Outlook: The Boilermakers (7-18) will try to snap out of their streak of three consecutive losing seasons.

Lodi

Top returners: Junior Destiney Ndio (C).

Outlook: The 5-10 Ndio was the leading scorer (8.6 ppg) and rebounder (12.3 rpg) a season ago for the Rams (7-17).

Manchester

Top returners: Seniors Camille Arias (G) and Zoe Watkins (F).

Outlook: Coming off the best season in program history, the Falcons (23-5) will have their hands full trying to regroup from the graduation of three of their top four scorers. Arias (9.4 ppg, 52 threes) was among that bunch, and Watkins is a tenacious defender.

Paterson Charter

Outlook: The school announced late last week that the girls basketball team has cancelled its season due to COVID-19 concerns.

Saddle Brook

Top returners: Seniors Bianca Ianneillo (F/C) and Vanessa Gusciora (G); juniors Deanna Occhipinti (F), Gabriella Gusciora (F) and Julia Gusciora (G/F); sophomore Ella Marchesani (G).

Outlook: The Falcons will miss graduated point guard Ashley Georgevich but have enough returning to be considered the division favorite in Year 2 under coach Jeff Horohonich. Keep an eye on 5-8 freshman guard Mia Ianneillo.

Greg Tartaglia is a high school sports reporter for NorthJersey.com. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis from our Varsity Aces team, subscribe today. To get breaking news directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter and download our app.     Email: tartaglia@northjersey.com      Twitter: @njtags13