WOHS’ Kiley Capstraw (No. 11), above, and Mackenzie Dover (12), below left, compete in the win over Immaculate Conception in the Essex County Tournament final last season.
WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange High School girls basketball team, under seventh-year head coach Caniece Williams, hopes to have another stellar season.
The Mountaineers won the Essex County Tournament title in February for the first time in program history. They lost in the North 1, Group 4 state sectional quarterfinal to East Orange Campus after winning the sectional title the previous year, finishing with a 21-4 record.
WOHS graduated its best player in program history in Mya Bembry, who finished with 1,718 points, 1,068 rebounds, 414 steals and 283 assists in her career.
Other graduated players are Ebony Odom Barnes, Bianca Fede, Kaija Jones and Faith Lewis.
This season, the team returns 6-foot sophomore Kiley Capstraw, 5-5 junior Mackenzie Dover and 5-7 senior Davionna Phillips, who will be the leaders. Capstraw scored 18 points in the 36-25 win over Immaculate Conception in the ECT final. The key newcomers are 5-9 senior forward Shyleea Ryan and 5-3 senior Cohesia Aliramroop.
Williams said the team is very athletic and quick. The goals and expectations for the season are to win the Super Essex Conference-American Division title and compete for another county championship.
What are the keys to achieving those goals and expectations?
“Stay healthy and just don’t get burned out too early in the season,” Williams said.
The assistant coaches are Meghan Colabella, Doug Nevins, Nicole Fleck, Michael Debarbieri and Kianna Montplaisir.
The Mountaineers will host East Orange on Friday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m. in the season opener.
Schedule
Dec. 20, East Orange Campus, 7 p.m.
Dec. 21, at Francis Lewis, N.Y., 8 p.m.
Dec. 27-28, 30, Lincoln HS Christmas Tournament
Jan. 3, at University, 4 p.m.
Jan. 4, at Bloomfield, 11:30 a.m.
Jan. 7, at Newark Tech, 7 p.m.
Jan. 11, Franklin Township, 2:30 p.m.
Jan. 12, vs.Chatham, at Paterson Kennedy, tba
Jan. 14, at Arts, 4 p.m.
Jan. 16, at Immaculate Conception, 4 p.m.
Jan. 18, at Immaculate Heart Academy, 12:30 p.m.
Jan. 23, at East Orange Campus, 7 p.m.
Jan. 25, at Verona, noon
Jan. 28, University, 7 p.m.
Jan. 30, Pope John, 7 p.m.
Feb. 1, at St. Mary, N.Y., tba
Feb. 3, Morris Catholic, 7 p.m.
Feb. 4, Newark Tech, 4 p.m.
Feb. 11, Arts, 4 p.m.
Feb. 13, Immaculate Conception, 7 p.m.
Feb. 20, Bloomfield, 4 p.m.
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