RUMSON – While a new group of players will take the floor for the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School girls basketball team in 2021-22, these players have the same championship expectations as those student-athletes who have suited up for the Bulldogs before them.
Coach Dave Callahan is excited to see what his players can accomplish as they set their sights on winning the Central Jersey Group II state sectional tournament title.
“Our ultimate goal is to make a deep run at winning the Central Jersey Group II title,” Callahan said. “We are a scrappy bunch and we are dangerous. Every one of our kids can shoot the ball. We don’t have some of the size we have had in the past, so we have to make up for that with quickness and toughness. I think we do a pretty good job with that.”
Last season’s top-scorer, Julia Corsentino, returns to lead the way for the Bulldogs. Corsentino will be starting for the third year. As a sophomore in 2020-21, she averaged more than 13 points per game and finished the season with 34 steals and 74 rebounds.
Nice little floater in the lane by JR Julia Corsentino (@juliacorsentino) in RFH’s 2nd scrimmage vs Morris Catholic. Third-Year varsity star will lead the way for @RFHgirlsbball this winter. CC @central_jersey #NJHoops 🏀 pic.twitter.com/BjHH6OjBK3
— Steven Bassin (@SBassin_Sports) December 9, 2021
Corsentino shot very well from behind the three-point line in 2020-21 as she led the Bulldogs with 37 three-point field goals.
Callahan said Corsentino is determined to help this year’s team continue the success the program has enjoyed over the years.
“Julia is a fantastic player,” he said. “She takes the responsibility for how we do really personally. She’s a natural scorer and always looks to make the big shot.”
Senior Charley Rosen is the only other returning starter from 2020-21. She will run the offense as the team’s point guard.
Rosen filled up the stat sheet as a junior, tallying 45 assists, 42 rebounds and 32 steals, while scoring about 6 ppg.
“She’s a tremendous basketball player,” Callahan said of Rosen. “She’s a senior calming influence for us from the way she does things through her play on the court and her leadership. She’s been fantastic for us.”
Senior Grace Colucci will join Corsentino and Rosen in the backcourt, making up the “squad unit” as Callahan calls it. Colucci brings her ability to defend and to shoot well from the perimeter to the lineup.
Junior Dylan Cahill and senior Kaila Scarpa round out the starting five in the frontcourt. Both players came off the bench in 2020-21.
Callahan expects a big senior year from Scarpa, who has looked good at center in the team’s preseason scrimmages.
Sophomore Ella Mason and freshmen Sylvie Notine and Daisen Iwan are expected to see time in the backcourt. Sophomore Abby Boyle and junior Janey Sypeck will rotate in at forward and center.
Even though this year’s squad does not have the varsity experience previous teams have had, Callahan believes the Bulldogs have the talent to be a factor in the Shore Conference A Central Division race and that the players are ready to prove that this winter.
“They have been chomping at the bit,” the coach said of his players. “They are ready. This is their chance to show what they can do.”
The Bulldogs will host Sparta High School on Dec. 17 and compete in the 37th annual WOBM Christmas Classic tournament during the winter break.
The Bulldogs will be trying to round into form during the first few weeks of the season so all of the players are ready to play their best basketball by the end of January and heading into February.
“I tell them not to worry about December. We have to worry about January, February and March,” Callahan said.
