ON GIRLS' BASKETBALL

There's still a few hours to go before I head over to Pascack valley for the Joe Poli final between IHA and Rutherford, so now might be a good time to reflect on some quick first impressions after almost a week of serious tournament watching:

* St. Mary has as talented a starting five as you'll find anywhere in North Jersey, and the Gaels can be pretty exciting when they're clicking on all cylinders. But there's just no depth on that bench, and if Kerry Dressel doesn' develop a little help during the regular season, it will haunt the Gaels come tournament time.

* Teaneck is clearly the best team in North Jersey right now. The Highwaywomen are cut from the same exciting cloth as the Gaels, but the difference lies in the depth. It's also worth noting that while the Gaels have their share of high-profile players, anyone one of six players are dangerous with the ball in their hands.

* I get the impression that Sue Liddy's never going to know what she's going to get from Holy Angels on a given day. When you give serious minutes to six sophomores, that's to be expected, especially in the NNJIL. But keep  this in mind --- those young Angels can play and by this time next year, we'll be talking about them as a Top 5 team.

* Did you ever watch a game, see a kid play and say "that's who I want one my team?" Well, the first one who struck me that way this season was Teresa Kirkpatrick of Pascack Hills. She not only held her own around the basket against Teaneck, but she hustled and was a big part of almost every big play by the Cowgirls.

* I've only seen a very small sampling, but there's a nice influx of freshman talent this season. Keep an eye on Kelcey Castro of Immaculate Conception. She's got a great long-range shot, and she looks like she'll be the perfect compliment to Lindsey Lopez. The Blue Wolves are also starting another freshman, Shakir Negron, who seems to have the potential to be pretty tough around the basket. But the real eye-opener is 6-1 Raquel Scott of IHA. She did a great job against St. Mary, and while she has a skittish moment or two, she will be a player to watch the rest of the season.

Comments

[charles hofsaes]

right on with the analysis...going to be great yr ...iha-pc tues will start the ball rolling...PO will be a sleeper???