Talented Cranford Girls Hoops Could Be Stronger In 2010-2011

This article was published by JR Parachini for Sidelinechatter.com.  Please visit sidelinechatter.com for more articles as the season goes on.  (please note, this link may change as sidelinechatter is updated).

Cranford girls basketball coach Jackie Dyer has great expectations for her talented Cougar hoops squad which is a defending state sectional champion and will be a prime Union County title contender. (Photos by Sean Buldiger)

Cranford has a talented arsenal including 5-8 sophomore Jessica McCoy (right) who had a strong state tournament for the Cougars last winter.

Cranford's talent-laden girls basketball program has had plenty to be happy about as the fine team continues to get better with each and every season.

Talented Cranford Girls Hoops
Could Be Stronger In 2010-2011
By JR Parachini
For sidelinechatter.com

While the Cranford girls’ basketball team is coming off a sectional championship after reaching a sectional final the year before, that could be just the tip of the iceberg.

The potential for this year’s squad to succeed at an even higher level may be unlimited.
Despite the loss of talented seniors Jamie Webb at guard, Taylor D’Antico at forward and Danielle Gross at center, there is plenty of experience back to lead the Cougars to an even higher finish than the 21-8 record that was produced last season.
Leading the way are returning starters Morgan Miller and Jessica McCoy, while sophomore Kaitlin McGovern (5-9) saw quite a bit of playing time a year ago.
Guards Miller, a junior, and McCoy, a sophomore, made quite an impact during their first year of varsity play.
“They all work extremely hard,” said fourth-year head coach Jackie Dyer. “They were at our open gym during the summer, played in fall league and worked on individual skills in AAU ball.
“This year I think of them as upperclassmen.”
McCoy (5-8) poured in 17 points in Cranford’s 59-46 home win over Carteret in last year’s North 2, Group 3 first round, while Miller (5-9) netted nine points in the 44-40 semifinal road victory at second-seeded Voorhees.
“I knew they were good players and had potential,” Dyer said. “They have an outstanding work ethic. They work real hard to accomplish what they set out for. Last year they didn’t back down from any challenge.”
Dyer said Morgan, McCoy, sophomore Jenna Goeller (5-5) and senior Brie Capece (5-3) can bring the ball up.
“We don’t have a definitive point guard,” Dyer said. “We’ll run some new plays on offense because we’re a lot taller all around.”
Last year’s squad was the only Union County team to beat a Roselle Catholic unit that went on to repeat as Union County Tournament champions and finish 23-3. Off a pass from McCoy, Webb made a layup at the buzzer to beat an 8-0 RC team 49-47 in Roselle. Cranford won the fourth quarter 18-5 after losing the previous three quarters.
It was the third straight year that Cranford defeated Roselle Catholic at Roselle Catholic. After the teams split in conference play, RC downed Cranford in the UCT semifinals.
Then one year after winning three road games in five days to reach the Central Jersey, Group 2 final, Cranford won four games to capture North 2, Group 3. The Cougars downed Somerville 46-34 at home in the championship game.
A fine season came to an end at Ramapo when Cranford was defeated by North 1 champion Pascack Valley 40-28 in a Group 3 semifinal.
Falling one win shy of playing for a state championship, this year’s squad might have what it takes to reach that next level.
“We have our goals to do quite a lot in the conference, county and states,” Dyer said. “People know us now and will work hard to beat us, so we have to be ready.”
NOTES: Cranford’s fifth and final scrimmage was at home Tuesday against Summit, which last year captured the Union County Conference’s Watchung Division title.
The first four were vs. Ridge at home, Warren Hills and Bishop Ahr on the road and Union at home.
The Cougars open Friday at 4 p.m. at conference foe Oak Knoll. New Providence and Oak Knoll moved into the Mountain Division this year, replacing Roselle Catholic and Roselle, which moved up to the Watchung Division.
Cranford will then play at non-conference foe Hudson Catholic Saturday at noon and then play at conference rival New Providence Tuesday at 4 p.m.
The Cougars will compete in the West Orange Holiday Classic again, with games set for Dec. 28 and Dec. 30. On the 28th Cranford will play Livingston at 1 p.m. On the 30th, the consolation game is 1 p.m. and the final 5 p.m.
Cranford defeated Kearny 45-27 and then West Orange 44-43 to win last year’s tournament. McCoy scored 17 points in the West Orange win, with Webb scoring the winning point on a free throw.
Cranford will resume conference play Jan. 4 at home at 7 p.m. vs. Johnson.
 
CRANFORD COUGARS
2010-2011 GIRLS’ BASKETBALL:
 
SENIORS (3):
Jackie Monteagudo, 5-6 forward
Brie Capece, 5-3 guard
Sara Gugliuci, 5-5 guard
 
JUNIORS (2):
Morgan Miller, 5-9 guard
Danielle Jakubik, 5-3 guard
 
SOPHOMORES (4):
Jessica McCoy, 5-8 guard
Jenna Goeller, 5-5 guard
Kaitlin McGovern, 5-9 forward
Aaryn Wichelns, 5-7 forward
 
FRESHMAN (3):
Mairead McKeary, 5-5 guard
Carly Mancione, 5-9 forward
Terry Wischusen, 5-3 guard

REGULAR SEASON SCHEDULE:
Dec. 17 at Oak Knoll, 4 p.m.
Dec. 18 at Hudson Catholic, noon
Dec. 21 at New Providence, 4 p.m.
Dec. 28, 30 – West Orange Holiday Classic
Dec. 28 Livingston, 1 p.m.
Dec. 30 Consolation 1 p.m., Final 3 p.m.
Jan. 4 Johnson, 7 p.m.
Jan. 6 at Union Catholic, 4 p.m.
Jan. 7 Hillside, 4 p.m.
Jan. 14 Linden, 4 p.m.
Jan. 18 at Brearley, 4 p.m.
Jan. 20 at Gov. Livingston, 4 p.m.
Jan. 21 Elizabeth, 4 p.m.
Jan. 25 Oak Knoll, 4 p.m.
Jan. 27 New Providence, 4 p.m.
Jan. 28 at Johnson, 4 p.m.
Jan. 31 Union Catholic, 4 p.m.
Feb. 3 at Hillside, 4 p.m.
Feb. 4 Gov. Livingston, 7 p.m.
Feb. 8 at Elizabeth, 4 p.m.
Feb. 10 at Benedictine Academy, 4 p.m.
Feb. 11 at Scotch Plains, 4 p.m.
 
 
UNION COUNTY CONFERENCE
Mountain Division for 2010-2011 (8 teams):
Cranford, Johnson, Gov. Livingston, Hillside,
Union Catholic, Elizabeth, New Providence, Oak Knoll.
Defending champion: Roselle Catholic.
NOTES: Elizabeth moved down from the Watchung Division and
New Providence and Oak Knoll up from the Valley Division.
Roselle Catholic and Roselle moved up to the Watchung Division.
 
 
WATCHUNG DIVISION (8 teams): Union, Linden, Westfield, Scotch Plains,
Plainfield, Summit, Roselle, Roselle Catholic.
Defending champion: Summit.
 
 
VALLEY DIVISION (8 teams): Rahway, Dayton, Brearley, Roselle Park,
Kent Place, Benedictine, St. Mary’s, St. Patrick.
Defending champion: New Providence.