Feb. 7, 2026
By Maddie Scherzer
Staff Writer
With about two weeks remaining in its regular season, the girls basketball team held an 11-9 record as of Feb. 7.
Sophomore point guard Lena Marino, who joined varsity last year and stepped up this season as one of the team’s five starters, said the season did not begin the way the players wanted, with the team losing three of its first four games. However, as the weeks went on, she said the team got stronger.
“We’ve improved on our defense, and our shooting has gotten a little bit better,” Marino said.
While there are eight seniors on the team, Marino said the players had to adjust after the loss of seven seniors who graduated last year.
“The more we play, the better we get at all of those things,” Marino said. “It just took us a little [time] to make sure we’re all playing together as a team.”
Marino said a highlight of the season was the home game on Jan. 9 against North Arlington High School, which ended in a 34-47 loss.
“Even though we did lose the game in the end, [we played together] by communicating and passing the ball around very well. We all put in our full efforts, and that’s why we came out so strong in the first half,” Marino said.
Senior power forward Gianna Lembo, a starting captain in her third year on varsity, said the team has improved its offense and communication, but there is still room for growth.
“We can still improve on… offense, hitting open shots,” Lembo said. “We are [now] working 10 times harder in practice, doing more basic stuff like shooting drills and dribbling… and our practices have been harder to make us better.”
“We have a great group of girls that… work hard every day, and I’m excited to see them get better as players and as people.”
Lembo said she contributes to the team by maintaining a positive attitude.
“When we’re down on the court, [I pick] up everyone with my high energy and [make] everyone laugh when I can,” Lembo said.
Although the competition is fierce, Lembo, who is also on the varsity cheerleading and softball teams, said she feels most at ease during basketball season.
“I have more fun with [basketball] because it’s a sport I play to just stay in shape, so it’s not my main sport like softball is,” Lembo said. “I can have more fun with my teammates because I don’t get too down on myself if I do bad[ly], and I feel like my teammates and my coaches have a really good bond.”
Head Coach Kesack, who is in his second year as head coach after serving as assistant coach for the previous four seasons, said the sport is not just about skill but about developing character, confidence and friendships on and off the court.
“We have a great group of girls that… work hard every day, and I’m excited to see them get better as players and as people,” Kesack said. “It took a while for us to gel as one, but as we’re getting later into the season, we’re playing more team basketball,” Kesack said.
Despite the team’s struggles early in the season, he said its biggest achievement occurred during the home opener against New Milford High School on Dec. 17, 2025. While the players were losing 17-20 at halftime, they pulled ahead in the second half to win 45-30.
“It showed the resilience in our team, [and] hopefully, our biggest moment is ahead of us,” said Kesack.
