The star player has graduated but optimism is high this girls’ basketball season at Toms River High School South.
Toms River South will enter this winter without guard Emily Donzanti, who led the Indians in scoring with 19 points a game lats season.
But the roster is stocked with the return of 10 players from the 2017-18 edition that finished 11-15.
“Last year Emily (Donzanti) did it all for this team. She brought the ball up and she was our leading scorer in every single game. However, we have been playing without her all summer and we have a really good and solid group of seniors that I think will step up and fill her shoes,” Toms River South coach Kim Peto said.
The six seniors who will lead Toms River South are forwards Shiloh Williams and Molly Legrand and guards Hannah Wagner, Caitlin Carroll, Ashley Pataky and Alyia Canfield.
Peto believes that the 2018-19 team will have more of a balanced scoring effort.
“I think we are going to be a very deep team this year. From the fourth and fifth girl down, the only problem I have when I look down at the bench is which girl do I put in. There will not be a drop off this season,” Peto said.
Along with being well-balanced, Peto said that the Indians are athletic and quick as they seek to become a force in the Shore Conference’s A South Division this winter. The Indians ended 4-10 in the league a year ago.
“I want this team to score off its defense. We have that tough, quick and on the ball defense that is going to disrupt a lot of ball handlers. We will look to score in transition and if that breaks down we will pull out and set up our half-court offense. I’m the type that wants to push first. I want the team to go, go, go,” Peto said.
Willams and Carroll have impressed Peto.
Williams averaged 7.8 points per game and 10 rebounds, while Carroll put in 4.6 points per gamed during the 2017-18 season.
Toms River South’s four scrimmages will help Coach Peto finalize her starting five.
Point Pleasant Beach High School will square off with the Indians on Dec. 4 in Point Pleasant Beach for Toms River South’s first scrimmage.
“I am very excited for this season. This teams group of seniors are eager to get started and win games,” Peto said.
