By Jimmy Allinder
Basketball is all about numbers, and that will very much be the case for the South River High School girls’ team this season.
First and foremost, the Rams graduated career scoring leader Gabrielle Harris (1,741 points) along with her 21.7 points per game (ppg). The freshman is now at William Paterson University, where she averages 14.4 points.
Two other challenges that impact the Rams are the consequence of past success and student enrollment. Three consecutive 20-plus win seasons as Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Gold Division members was a partial reason South River was elevated to the larger school Blue Division. In addition, NJSIAA realignment caused the Rams to be moved from Central, Jersey Group I to Central Jersey, Group II, where they are the smallest school in the section.
“Moving up to the Blue Division will be tough, especially since Gabby is no longer with us,” said Mike Feaster, who enters his sixth season as head coach. “Hopefully we can compensate by playing good defense and rebounding well enough to keep us in games.”
Despite Harris’ departure, an abundance of talent and experience could turn out to be South River’s saving grace.
Barring injury, senior center Aleah Bass will become the first player since 2001 (Leeah Thomas) to finish her career with over 1,000 points and rebounds. Bass averaged 12.8 points and 13.2 rebounds last year and entered this season with 910 boards and 832 points.
Sophomore Tara Beachem received her baptism under fire as the starting point guard a year ago and responded with 7.1 points and four assists per game. Seniors Mackenzie Garrick, starting pitcher on the softball team, and Victoria Gil are both dependable guards, and juniors Sera Guiste and Sonia Guiste and sophomore Ashley Fischer have shown improvement at forward.
“Any combination of those seven could start on a given night,” Feaster said. “Aleah averaged a double-double [for points and rebounds] the last two seasons. I’m asking Tara to pick up some of the scoring load, and for the Guiste sisters, Mackenzie, Victoria and Ashley to play important minutes.”
The remainder of the roster includes senior Taylor Feniello, junior Josephine Fusco and freshman Lauren Schmidt.
South River is off to a promising start with victories in its first two games. The Rams opened the season Dec. 16 with a 51-14 victory over Blue Division opponent Mother Seton Regional High School and the following day defeated Timothy Christian School, 53-27.
South River hosted Metuchen High School Dec. 21 and visits Highland Park High School Dec. 23.
“If we keep the score down, we should be able to compete [in the Blue Division] on a nightly basis,” Feaster said.
