Columbia HS girls basketball team will be quick, athletic this season

MAPLEWOOD/SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — For the Columbia High School girls basketball team, expect a lot of scrappiness this season.

“We’re fast and athletic,” said first-year head coach Aaron Breitman.

The Cougars plan to use their athleticism to their advantage, especially in trying to compensate for their lack of height.

The backcourt consists of guard Talia Baptiste and point guard Jaime Levi, both returning seniors. The other returning starter is junior forward Campbell Connell.

Baptiste has committed to play basketball at Division 1 Fairleigh Dickinson University in Teaneck.

Sophomore Annabell Nelson will also be in the rotation.

Breitman, a 2008 CHS graduate, also is excited about the freshmen on the team. They include Gabi Ervin, JoJo Yarde and Mayla Defreitas.. 

Breitman emphasizes teamwork, accountability and strong defense that will lead to offensive opportunities, which will go a long way toward achieving the team’s goals of learning, being positive and winning games.

The Cougars, who are looking to improve on last year’s 11-15 season, will tip off the season on Thursday, Dec. 14, at Newark Academy in Livingston.

Breitman succeeds Chuck Keegan, who stepped down to become the West Orange High School boys basketball head coach.

Here is the schedule:

• Dec. 14: at Newark Academy, 4 p.m.
• Dec. 19: vs. Mount St. Dominic, 7 p.m.
• Dec. 21: at Bard, 4 p.m.
• Dec. 27: Plainfield tournament, vs. Immaculata, 1:30 p.m.
• Dec. 28 and 30: Plainfield tournament.
• Jan. 4: vs. Caldwell, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 6: vs. West Orange, 1 p.m.
• Jan. 9: at Immaculate Conception, 4 p.m.

• Jan. 13: at West Essex, 1 p.m.
• Jan. 15: at Paterson Eastside, 6 p.m.
• Jan. 16: vs. Newark Academy, 4 p.m.
• Jan. 18: at West Orange, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 20: vs. Oak Knoll, 11:30 a.m.
• Jan. 22: at Hillside, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 23: at Mount St. Dominic, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 25: vs. Bard, 7 p.m.
• Jan. 30: vs. Randolph, 7 p.m.
• Feb. 1: at Caldwell, 4 p.m.
• Feb. 3: vs. Vernon Township, 11:30 a.m.
• Feb. 6: vs. Immaculate Conception, 7 p.m.

• Feb. 8: vs. University, 5:30 p.m.
• Feb. 10: vs. Hillside, 1 p.m.
• Feb. 12: vs. Lincoln, 7 p.m.
• Feb. 13: at University, 4 p.m.
• Feb. 15: at Bernards, 7 p.m.

Photo by Joe Ragozzino

  Columbia High School girls basketball