Nutley HS girls basketball team seeks strong season

NUTLEY, NJ — The Nutley High School girls basketball team, under head coach Larry Mitschow, hopes to have a strong season with key returning players.

Nutley will tip off the season Thursday, Dec. 19, at Immaculate Conception of Montclair.

The Raiders, who are looking to improve on last year’s 9-18 record, will return senior guard Abby Scheidel and senior forwards Jaden Long and Sophia Lamond.

Scheidel, who has started the past three years, will spark the Raiders. She needs around 140 points or so for 1,000 in her career.

Liana Minichini is a promising freshman who will start at the two-guard position. Mackenzie Albert will compete with fellow sophomore guards Alex Twomey and Rebecca Ecchavarrai for playing time. Sophomore center Stephanie Luberto will battle for a starting spot, while junior forward Lindsey Moraski will contribute off the bench.

Scheidel and Minichini have the ability to create their own shot and score from anywhere on the floor, noted Mitschow.

NHS has moved down from the Super Essex Conference-American Division, which is the top division of the conference, to the SEC-Liberty Division, the second highest of the conference.

“Playing last year in the tough American  Division will hopefully prepare us for this season,” Mitschow said.

Mitschow said the team’s goals are to compete for the SEC-Liberty Division title and qualify for the state tournament.

“In order to achieve these goals, we are going to have to push one another in practice everyday and get off to a strong start early on to gain confidence in one another,” Mitschow said. “Building team chemistry will be important as well, with so many younger kids in the program.”

The assistant coaches are Matt Francello and Kara McNish.

The key graduation losses are Courtney Wilde and Alaina Feaster. Wilde was the Raiders’ leading scorer and Feaster was their leading rebounder.

The SEC-Liberty Division consists of West Essex, Columbia, Verona, Glen Ridge, Newark Academy, Nutley and Payne Tech.

Nutley’s home opener is Jan. 7 against Verona.

Schedule

Dec. 19, at Immaculate Conception of Montclair, 4 p.m.

Dec. 21, at Randolph, 1 p.m.

Dec. 23, at Villa Walsh, 11:30 a.m.

Dec. 26, vs. Wallington, at Lodi  Holiday tournament, 1 p.m.

Jan. 3, at Payne Tech, 5:30 p.m.

Jan. 7, Verona, 6 p.m.

Jan. 10, at West Essex, 4 p.m.

Jan. 11, Arts, 11 a.m.

Jan. 14, Newark Academy, 6 p.m.

Jan. 17, at Mount St. Dominic, 6 p.m.

Jan. 18, Columbia, 2:30 p.m.

Jan. 21, at Glen Ridge, tba

Jan. 24, at Memorial, 4:30 p.m.

Jan. 25, Caldwell, 11 a.m.

Jan. 28, Payne Tech, 6 p.m.

Jan. 31, Fair Lawn, 6 p.m.

Feb. 4, at Verona, tba

Feb. 6, West Essex, 6 p.m.

Feb. 11, at Newark Academy, tba

Feb. 13, at Columbia, 5:30 p.m.

Feb. 18, North Hunterdon, 6 p.m.

Feb. 20, Glen Ridge, 6 p.m.

Feb. 25, at Demarest, tba