Top 3 scorers back on girls basketball team

Preseason practices and scrimmages are complete, and the Lenape Valley Regional High School girls basketball team is ready to start the season.

The Patriots feature a mix of varsity-tested players along with newcomers excited to make their presence felt.

Lenape Valley is scheduled to host Kittatinny on Thursday, Dec. 14.

Among the key returning players are senior Colleen Yanavok (guard) and juniors Regina Williams (guard) and Juliane Cerulo (forward).

Promising newcomers include juniors Addison Coles (forward), Callista Stevenson (guard) and Gigi Santana (guard and forward) and freshman Alexa Valeich (guard).

“I am looking for my three returning starters - Yanavok, Williams and Cerulo - to really develop into a leadership role this year,’’ head coach Nick Rafferty said. “All three of these girls give great effort in practice and lead by example. This year I am looking to have one of these girls, if not all three, step up and be vocal leaders as well.

“It is always great when you can return your top three scorers from the year before. Due to this, I think we are going to have a great season.”

His goals are to win the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Colonial Division, make the state tournament, have a winning record and win the Hackettstown Holiday Tournament.

The Patriots’ record was 10-15 last year, and they advanced to the NJSIAA North 1 Group 2 Sectional Tournament, where they were defeated by Morris Tech.

“There are a lot of decent basketball players coming back for other teams in the NJAC Colonial,’’ Rafferty said. “Of course, teams will be affected by players graduating, but a lot of the best players in our division from last year are still playing. In the NJAC Colonial, besides us, Vernon is definitely the team to look out for this season. Both of us are returning our top three scorers from last season.

“I think we will be able to be a contender to win the division, but we already know this is easier said than done. If we continue to improve every day in practice and make good decisions on the court, we have the ability to compete for the top spot.”

He said Newton also has a good squad and Kittatinny has joined the division this year.

“We expect this to be a very competitive division with a lot of good games to be played. Leadership and execution will be the deciding factor in the NJAC Colonial this season.’’