O.B. girls hoops squad looking for improvement
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
With a group of veterans returning and several talented youngsters aboard, the Old Bridge High School girls basketball team is looking to turn things around after struggling for the past two seasons.

The Lady Knights have won just four games over the past two years, but coach Ken Fischer is optimistic that his team will reach or surpass the .500 mark this winter.

Fischer is also installing a new motion offense designed to spread the floor and set up more open shots.

"The goal is to keep the girls moving when we have the ball, to confuse the opposition," the coach said. "This should result in more scoring opportunities from the outside and enable us to take the ball inside when we have the chance."

Point guard Amber Zimmerlink, who averaged nine points to lead the team a year ago, will run the new offense.

The senior is a three-year starter who moves the ball around quickly.

Other seniors include guard Angela D'Amico and center Stephanie Smith. Junior Christine Cannon also saw significant playing time a year ago. D'Amico and Cannon play well defensively, and Smith averaged seven rebounds to lead the team in that category.

The Lady Knights will, however, be without Jennifer O'Donnell. The scrappy junior forward will miss the first part of the season due to foot surgery,

Fischer is expecting increased contributions from a trio of sophomore guards Amy Layton and Erica Solazano and forward

Jennifer Patterson. The gritty Layton makes her presence felt, while Solazano owns an accurate jump shot. Patterson, who is returning from an ACL injury, showed promise on both ends of the floor as a freshman.

In addition, several players may move up from the junior varsity to provide assistance, including senior forward Jennifer Harris and three juniors: forwards Kaitlyn Flynn-Rozanski and Jillian Patti and guard Danielle Nathanson.

A pair of promising freshmen, forward Jasmine Jackson and guard Jennifer Bowman, may also see some varsity time this season.

"I really think that we can win 12 or more games," Fischer said. "We certainly have some talented players, but they need to believe they can win. The last couple of years have been tough, so the girls need to regain some confidence. A few early wins will do that."

Old Bridge faces a tough early schedule, with its first three games on the road at East Brunswick on Dec. 14, Piscataway on Dec. 18, and Edison on Dec. 20, before the Lady Knights begin play in the WOBM Christmas Tournament.

Besides installing a new offense, Fischer is emphasizing team defense, a weak point over the past few campaigns.

"Several of our girls are very good defensive players, but we need to play better defense as a team, covering for each other and being in the right position," the coach said. "A lot will be determined for us in the first three weeks of practices and scrimmages. That will set the tone for the entire season."