HEAD COACH
Gela Mikalauskas
ASSISTANT COACH
Katie Nikosey
LAST SEASON
9-1 CHSAA, 18-11 overall
PROBABLE STARTERS
G Nicole Nicholson (5-6, Sr.)
G Briana Connor (5-6, Sr.)
F Kelli Yorks (5-7, Sr.)
F Rileigh Wheeler (5-11, Soph.)
C Kayla Schmitter (5-11, Soph.)
KEY RESERVES
Kennedy Welle (5-8, Jr.)
Alexandra Arenas (5-9, Soph.)
Frannie Russo (5-3, Soph.)
MAVERICKS NOTES
Despite the graduation of frontcourt stalwarts Dina Motrechuk (Rhode Island) and Diana Todaro (Kean), the Mavericks are still plenty talented. "From 1 through 9, everyone handles the ball well," said Mikalauskas. "The last few years, we focused on the inside game; now, we're guard oriented. ... Point guard Nicholson "can shoot the 3, drives well to the basket." Connor, who was the CHSAA Defensive Player of the Year last season, "is our catalyst and defensive stopper. And during the summer, she improved her mid-range game." ... Yorks "is scrappy and tenacious. She exemplifies how hard our team plays. She does all the little things well. " ... Wheeler saw time as a freshman on the varsity last season. "And she got to go against Dina and Diana in practice, which only helped her," the coach noted. "She also has nice outside range from 3 and can run the floor well." ... Schmitter, a key JV player last year, has been rehabbing an MCL tear and is "75 to 80 percent. We're bringing her along slowly. When she's healthy, she has a nice touch around the basket." ... Welle "has great hands and a great basketball I.Q." ... Arenas "is a big guard we can bring off the bench who can also shoot the 3." ... Russo, the JV point guard last season, "gives us depth. She can shoot the 3 and has a good handle." ... "We're going into the season front-loaded with non-league games," said Mikalauskas, who said that her team's identity should be established after playing in tough Marist and St. Anthony's tournaments. ... "Our goal is to play hard and play together."
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