Schools
Raider Girls Basketball Looks to Improve
Young but experienced team looks to improve on last year.
The NBA has settled its contract dispute and games are about to start—a fortuitious concidence with 's season also beginning. As opening day approaches, we're taking a look at each of the teams as they ready for competition. Today, we take a look at the Raiders girls basketball team.
OVERVIEW
The Raiders had a very young team last year and return most of their roster. The team has nine juniors on the roster, many of who where first year varsity players last year as sophomores. The team is looking to improve on last year’s record and go deeper into the county tournament and get into the state tournament.
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“We have the ability to have a winning season. If we play up to that ability and use last year’s experience we can go deeper into the county tournament and into the state tournament,” said head coach Charlie Davis.
The team opens the regular season today at 7 p.m. at home against Franklin. A complete schedule of all Raider games can be found here.
Find out what's happening in Hillsboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
LAST SEASON'S RESULTS
The Raiders finished their 2011-2011 season with an 8-16 record and will be looking to improve on that this year.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON
Kristina Vangeli, senior center/forward - Last years leading scorer and rebounder is back. Vangeli will be attending Monmouth University next year where she is signed to play lacrosse.
Marissa Trainer, senior forward - Will be looked to for scoring and rebounding up front. Trainer will be attending the University of Rochester next year to play lacrosse.
Danielle Gemignani, senior guard - Saw a lot of action last year as part of a 4-player rotation at the guard position and is expected to be in the starting rotation when the season opens.
Jacki Schwankert, junior guard - Schwankert will be taking over as the starting point guard and will be running the offense for the Raiders.
Alexis Pezza, junior forward - A three season athlete, Pezza will be playing the small forward position.
THEY WILL BE MISSED
Stephanie Lamanna, guard - Last year’s leading 3-point shooter and one of the team’s better rebounders is now at Misericordia University.
Melissa McEnroe, guard – McEnroe was part of the four-player rotation at the guard position last year and is now at Scranton University where she is playing soccer.
COACHES TAKE
“We have nine juniors on the roster, most of them played on the varsity team last year as sophomores. That experience should take over and we should see the results of that this year”–Head coach Charlie Davis.
THEY SAID IT
“Everyone has been working real hard so far. We have a lot of returning players who know the deal”–senior guard Danielle Gemignani
“I’m really looking forward to see how all our hard work in practice pays off throughout our season”–senior forward Marissa Trainer
2011-2012 RAIDER GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM ROSTER
NO.
GR.
PLAYER
HT.
POS.
1
Jr
Kristina Dunphey
5-4
G
3
Jr
Michaela Downes
5-6
G
7
Jr
Ashley Cease
5-4
G
10
Jr
Alexis Pezza
5-7
F
11
Sr
Kristina Vangeli
5-11
F
14
Jr
Katie Faillace
5-5
G
15
Jr
McKayl Novak
5-6
G
21
Sr
Danielle Gemignani
5-6
G
22
Sr
Michelle Jamin
5-5
G
23
Jr
Jacki Schwankert
5-5
G
25
Jr
Alyssa Giarrusso
5-8
F
30
Jr
Riley Martin
5-8
F
32
Sr
Marissa Traina
5-10
F
Head Coach – Charlie Davis
Assistant Coach – Barrie Foley
Assistant Coach – Molly Cusick
Assistant Coach – Cheryl Iaione
