Metuchen girls team is still a work in progress
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

METUCHEN - Last year's Metuchen High School girls basketball team suffered through a dismal 4-19 season, but the rough times functioned as a learning and bonding experience.

"They had a tough season last year but they came out a tight-knit group," first-year head coach Gregg O'Neill said. "Building a program is a process and it will take a couple of years to build something like Rich Stoner has with the boys team. It's going to boil down to how the girls buy into the system. I know they'll be competitive and play together."

Senior captain Joelle Vitale returns as the team's lone four-year player to play point guard.

"She's not big, but she plays with a lot of heart," O'Neill said. "She's a very aggressive defender and goes to the basket strong. Joelle does a nice job of getting to the foul line and she'll be a real impact player for us."

Teammate Jade Bing saw some varsity minutes last season and has elevated her game to earn a spot as a team captain.

"She's picked up her game and she's a darn hard worker," O'Neill said. "She gives us a solid post presence and she's become the vocal leader of the team. Jade is always pumped up and really tough. It's like having another coach out there when she's on the floor."

Fresh off an amazing season as the soccer team's goalkeeper, the 6-foot Caitlin Walker will use her solid hands in the post.

"She's very strong around the basket," O'Neill said. "We want her to pick up her scoring this season. When she runs the floor it really opens up a lot and that's something we'd like to take advantage of where we can."

Juniors Katrina Hill and Geri Koval also return to the team with varsity playing time.

"K-Hill has so much potential," O'Neill said. "She's the best athlete on the team and she can do a lot of great things with the basketball. She's very versatile and she never gets intimidated."

Koval provides the team with a consistent outside threat and is working on developing a more of a multidimensional game to compliment her shooting skills.

Lyndsay Peragallo, Michelle Varner and Elise Brevett will also see action as varsity reserves. Peragallo gives the team an additional ballhandler at the point guard position.

The Bulldogs are also excited about the new talent on this year's team. Freshmen Stacy Carr, Kristina Karl, and Caroline Murphy join junior transfer Melanie Ramirez as the team's newest members.

Ramirez is expected to see some time in the post and provide an inside presence with her size.

At 5-8, Carr will also give the team some much needed size while Karl has the potential to be an offensive weapon. In last week's scrimmage against Elizabeth, Karl led all Metuchen scorers.

In addition to the new talent that excites O'Neill, his assistant coaches will provide good company on the Metuchen bench. Krissy Suckow and Jess Ballweg are the new assistant coaches with impressive résumés. Ballweg, a recent graduate of Santa Clara, was a member of the Division I national champion soccer team while Suckow was a four-year starter at Fairleigh Dickinson.

"I have a great staff," O'Neill said. "Both were high school All-Americans and both are very accomplished athletes."

The Dogs tip-off the new season with a 7 p.m. road game Dec. 15 against Spotswood. The team's home opener is slated for Dec. 18 versus Bishop Ahr.

"The first couple of games should tell us where we're at," O'Neill said. "Bishop Ahr is always a good, strong program and we'll have to be ready."