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Panthers Girls Training Young Basketball Team

Team looking to get back to county finals.

The NBA has settled its contract dispute and games are about to start, and that means that basketball is about to start at . 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 Panthers girls basketball team.

OVERVIEW

The Panthers lost four seniors from last year’s team that went to the Somerset County finals and the state semifinals. This year’s team is much younger, with only two seniors on the roster, co-captains forward Christine Tress and guard Lauren Luginsland.  

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“Even though we’re younger this year, we have a lot of experience from AAU and have been working really hard in the offseason,” Luginsland said.

The team’s goal is to make it back to the Somerset County finals for a third straight year, but to get there, they will be looking for their underclassmen to step up and fill the voids.

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“Our younger players have been doing real well in practice and filling their spots nicely,” Tress said.

The team opens the regular season Friday at 7 p.m. at home against Immaculata. A complete schedule of all Panthers games can be found here.

LAST SEASON'S RESULTS

The Panthers finished their 2010-2011 season with a 17-12 record. The team made it to the finals of the Somerset County tournament where the girls lost to Rutgers Prep, 56-50. The team qualified for the State Tournament and made it all the way to the semi-finals, losing to Bayonne by two points.

KEEP YOUR EYE ON

Julia Venturelli, Denisha Petty-Evans, Hannah Brophy, Christine Tress—All returning varsity players from last year’s team. They will all be looked at for their experience and leadership to help get this young squad back to the County Finals and deep into the State Tournament.

THEY WILL BE MISSED

Jessica Venturelli (Guard)—A versatile players who always stepped up to any challenge and always played well. Venturelli was a leader both on and off the court. She is a student athlete at Albright University, Division II and is starting and leading the team in scoring.

Robin O'Dell (Forward)—O'Dell was consistent in her foul shooting, grabbed every rebound when necessary and was a leader on and off the court. She is a student athlete at Misericordia Univeristy, Division III.

Megan O'Connor (Guard) O'Connor lead the team in three-pointers and made many big shots for the Panthers throughout her career. She is currently attending Villanova University.

COACH'S TAKE

“They’ve been working hard in practice and they have high expectations for themselves.”—head Coach Dorcas Miller-Edwards

THEY SAID IT

“This team has lots of chemistry and we feed off each other. When we play as a team and to each others' strengths, we’re really good.”—Tress

“Our goal is to make it back to the county finals again. As long as we stay relaxed and play together as a team, we’re really good.”—Luginsland

2011-2012 PANTHER BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM ROSTER

Player

No.

Position

Grade

Lauren Luginsland *

5

G

12

Christine Tress *

10

F

12

Denisha Petty-Evans

12

G

11

Katie Robbins

30

F

11

Hannah Brophy

15

F

11

Mary Kronenwetter

25

F

10

Julia Venturelli

3

G

10

Sarah Brophy

11

G

10

Eunice Abogado

 

G

10

Jessica Schwed

2

G

10

Rachel Truska

 

G

10

 * Captain

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