Spiess to lead Hawks back to prominence
BY SHAWN LAYTON
Staff Writer

EDISON — First-year head coach John Spiess brings an impressive resume to his job as the new girls basketball coach at J.P. Stevens High School.

Spiess took over after Andy Eng called it quits at the end of last year’s 11-17 season. Spiess joins the team after stints as an assistant at Towson University and University of Rhode Island. Spiess served as head coach at Bishop Ahr High School as well as Georgian Court University and New Jersey Tech. Spiess is also embarking on his 34th straight season as coach of the N.J. Rising Stars AAU team.

“I made my rounds and have probably coached every girl on both the Edison and J.P. Stevens teams at some point,” Spiess said. “Our goal this year is to be competitive every night in the toughest division around.”

Spiess thinks last year’s losing season had a lot to do with the absence of Brittany Mullings for half a season due to injury.

“Brittany is healthy and I think we’ll do much better this season,” Spiess said. “Our transition game is solid and our defense will create our offense.”

The senior strong team will be led by point guard Casey Kirsch, shooting guard Kathryn Ruhno, and forward Bobbi Van Fleet. All three are set to continue their basketball careers next year at Stockton, Rowan and Binghamton University respectively.

Mullings, while not slated to play hoops, will attend University of Pennsylvania. The 5-11 senior is expected to have a big year for the Hawks on the low post.

“She’s very athletic and she can play everywhere,” Spiess said. “She’s a great student-athlete and I think she’ll be one of the better players in the GMC this season.”

Softball standout Caitlyn Seamster returns to the floor and brings nice size and a nose for rebounding while classmates Lisette Polanco and Brittany Wright round out the roster of seniors. Polanco is expected to see time at both guard positions with Wright coming off the bench to provide a defensive spark.

Sophomore Maggie Kowalska is fresh off a big season on the volleyball courts and is regarded as the team’s most athletic player. Classmate Gabby Freeman is another athletic player with valuable leaping skills.

New to this year’s team is freshman point guard Lara Arbore. Arbore could see time off the bench as the season progresses.

“Lara will do well once she gets over being nervous,” Spiess said. “She’s acclimating well.”

The Hawks opened the new season with a road game last night at East Brunswick and will finish the week with a 7 p.m. home game Friday versus Woodbridge. After Christmas, the Hawks will welcome Rahway, Eastern, and South Plainfield to town for the J.P. Stevens Lady Hawks Invitational. Games are scheduled for Dec. 28 and Dec. 30.

“The biggest challenge for me will be coaching against my daughter Kari,” Spiess said. “She’s a senior at Edison High School and I’ve never coached against her. It should make a great rivalry a little more interesting this season.”