Young Sayreville hoops squad off to a good start
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
With two victories in its first three contests, the Sayreville High School girls basketball team is off to a good start as it seeks to improve on last winter's 13-11 record.

The youthful Bombers opened the campaign by jumping to a 10-2 lead against North Brunswick, but 21 turnovers took their toll and the Bombers ended up losing by nine points.

Coach Tara Currie's team rebounded with a pair of wins, downing Monroe, 39- 31, and edging South Plainfield, 51-49. In the latter game, Sayreville again had the lead but found itself in a tie with just 1:30 remaining. This time Sayreville recovered to prevail behind Jessica Kitrys' 12-point, 10-rebound performance. A big factor in the win: Sayreville won the battle on the boards, 37-16.

"This team definitely has a lot of talent. What it needs is a littlemore varsity experience and some confidence,"Currie said. "Our inexperience showed when we lost to North Brunswick. Since then, we've cut down on turnovers, andwe didn't lose our poisewhen South Plainfield came back."

Two sophomores have led the Bombers in the early going: Kitrys and point guard Jacqui Ciak, who moves the ball well and averages 13.6 points to lead the team in scoring. Kitrys is not far behind, averaging 11.6 points, and at 5-11 she has proved to be a presence under the boards.

Guard Kelli Seaman, one of just two seniors on the team, has proved to be a valuable defender and usually draws the assignment of guarding the opposition's best perimeter shooter. Heather Roy, a 5- foot-10 junior who pulled down 15 caroms in the season-opener, gives Sayreville another solid forward, while sophomore shooting guard LanieAndrews rounds out the starting lineup.

Cassia Copeland, the Bombers' other senior, junior Keira Williams and sophomore Tanasia Wilson provide depth up front. Williams is nursing an ankle injury and has not been able to play as yet. Currie expects Williams to return in about two weeks. Allie Cuozo, a junior, and Cheyenne Grant, a sophomore, come off the bench to spell the backcourt.

With height up front and good shooting guards - Ciak and Andrews are threats from three-point range - the Bombers can pound the ball inside or work the perimeter depending on the situation.

Last season, Sayreville went 13-11, but did not qualify for the state tournament- something Currie is intent on rectifying this year. The coach also believes her girls can be a factor in the Greater Middlesex Conference White Division.

"We have to be careful not to get too far ahead of ourselves," she said. "I want the girls to take things game by game. They've been working hard and they're playing well together; right now I just want them to focus on whatever is next."