Here are the girls basketball previews for the NVL’s Copper Division:
NVL girls 2015-16 standings |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Division | |||
| Div | NVL | All | |
| St. Paul | 8-0 | 17-1 | 21-3 |
| Seymour | 6-2 | 10-8 | 12-10 |
| Oxford | 4-4 | 6-12 | 7-13 |
| Derby | 2-6 | 3-15 | 5-15 |
| Ansonia | 0-8 | 0-18 | 1-19 |
ANSONIA
Head coach: Vince DellaVolpe (3rd season, 2-38)
2015-16: 1-19
Key players: Seniors Kristina Fiallos (10 ppg), Deijah Collands; Junior Josenia Lopez; Sophomores Elizabeth Wilson, LaRissa Rodriguez, Arianna Blackwell; Freshman Natasha Rivera.
Coach’s comment: “We only have 14 total players in the program but all have been working extremely hard and we hope to be more competitive and turn our hard work into some wins.”
DERBY
Head coach: Dave Chevarella (20th season, 136-254)
2015-16: 5-15
Key players: Seniors Anna Chevarella (16 ppg, 4 apg, 6 rpg), Amelia Carloni (8 ppg, 8 rpg), Lacey DiMartino (6 ppg, 7 rpg).
Outlook: The Raiders have three solid seniors and look to make the state tourney for the first time since 2010, their first season in the NVL.
Coach’s comment: “The girls are working very hard. Hopefully we continue to improve and qualify for state tournament.”
OXFORD
Head coach: Gail Strumpf-Cheney (1st season)
2015-16: 7-13
Key players: Juniors Laura Trombetta, Sam Kostek, Kaylan O’Banner, Audrey Robinson; Sophomores Kayla Golding, Molly Sastram, Kelly Shpak, Madison Smith, Molly Smith.
Outlook: Coach Cheney is back in the NVL. She was the head coach at Woodland for five years, and most recently, was an assistant at Fairfield University.
Coach’s comment: “We are a young team that has a lot of energy and love for the game. It will be interesting to see what these athletes will be able to do in the league. They have already been so much fun to coach.”
Flashback
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ST. PAUL CATHOLIC
Head coach: Joe Mone (22nd season, 308-183)
2015-16: 21-3
Key players: Seniors Brigid Johndrow (7 ppg, 4 apg, 4 rpg), Alexa Morneault, Amelia Sanchez, Chantel Lopez, Alexandria Mourges.
Outlook: Many new varsity faces here for the Falcons, and that is unusual. A perennial contender, St. Paul graduated a ton of points and rebouds.
Coach’s comment: “We are returning only one starter from a division championship team that won 21 games for the season. Only three other players saw any varsity time at all so we will be very inexperienced and will have to learn as we go through the season. Younger players will have to step up for us to have a successful season and give us a chance in our division and the NVL.”
SEYMOUR
Head coach: Brian Cleveland (8th season, 59-81)
2015-16: 12-10
Key players: Seniors Samantha Dioro-Torres (9 ppg, 10 rpg), Victoria Kellogg (6 ppg), Faith Thurmond (16 ppg, 9 rpg); Junior Grace Hayes (5 ppg); Sophomores Megan Condo, Sydnie Drezek ( 6 ppg), Caty Ragaini.
Outlook: There is always a team to watch in the NVL, and this time around, it is Seymour. The Wildcats are a top NVL contender. There is size and skill here, and the promise of some hot and fun basketball nights in the Valley. Thurmond is on the cusp of 1,000 points.
Coach’s comment: “Our combination of depth, experience, and leadership should make for an exciting season. Seymour will look to make runs in the NVL and state tournament.”
NVL All-Copper Team, from L to R: St. Paul’s Liz Ferraro, Seymour’s Faith Thurmond, Seymour’s Sam Torres, St. Paul’s Bridgid Johndrow, Derby’s Anna Cheverella and Oxford’s Makena Hillman. Erin Covey Republican-American