Senior-laden Eagles team thinking big
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

EDISON- The Edison High School girls basketball will have the unusual luxury of opening the season with eight seniors on its roster when it squares off against Piscataway at 7 p.m. Dec. 18.

"It is kind of strange to have that many on the team," Edison head coach Patti Jaworski said. "I think it's a credit to them for sticking with it for four years."

The team's leading scorer and an All-Red Division selection from last year, Kristin Sciarrillo, heads the list of returning players. Sciarrillo averaged over 16 points per game to help lead the Eagles to an 11-13 mark last season.

"Hopefully Kristin can build on her success from last year," Jaworski said. "She played a lot of center last year, but we can move her out to the wing this year because Ashley Caster has developed into a real presence in the post. Ashley is built like a center."

Returning to the floor for their senior seasons along with Sciarrillo and Caster are Gina Drost, Christine Murry, Melanie Williams, Samantha Grippo, Stephanie Aker and Kari Spiess. Drost and Murry joined Sciarrillo in the starting lineup last season.

Also seeing some time in the starting lineup last season and back for their junior years are Brittney Griffin and Rachel Ruch.

"Brittney can play guard or forward, but she'll probably see more time in the post," Jaworski said. "All of these girls can produce and will be expected to produce. I think we should have a pretty tough team to guard as we won't focus on one player to do all the scoring."

Aside from all the experience on this year's Eagle team, youth could play a factor once the season gets underway. A pair of sophomores in Bobbi Aker and Samantha Janz could see time this season in the Edison backcourt.

"Bobbi is probably 80 pounds soaking wet, but she can really play," Jaworski said. "The underclassmen have been very impressive in practice thus far."

Also impressive thus far through the preseason is freshman guard Jamia Hope.

"She is probably the best freshman I've seen in my 13 years here," Jaworski said. "She understands the game and she's an excellent passer. She should definitely see some varsity time for me."

After the Eagles open up with the road game in Piscataway, the team will play in the annual Gene Haley Holiday Tournament. This year's games will be played Dec. 27-28 at John F. Kennedy High School. Other teams in the tournament include Carteret and Elizabeth.

"Right now we're seeing which style the girls are comfortable playing," Jaworski said. "They want to pick up the tempo and that's fine with me as long as we can limit our turnovers."

Jaworski anticipates another tough year in the GMC Red Division with defending county champion Piscataway returning everyone to its lineup.

"There are no easy games on the schedule," Jaworski said. "The team has been working hard every day and staying positive. All the seniors on this team want to make the most of their last year."