Aviva Cohen, Tess Cusumano, Emily Demm, Anna Joseph, Maeve Keegan, Samantha Mercurio - Captain, Valentina Moretti, Delaney Ricciuti, Sloane Ricciuti, Emily Sensenich, Stephanie Sexton - Captain, Audrey Wattick 

HEAD COACH Tom Kenny  ASSISTANT COACH Kyle Dattola 

Coming into the season with one of the youngest Varsity Girls’ Basketball teams that Summit has had in a while, Senior Captains Stephanie Sexton and Samantha Mercurio wanted to focus on two ideas that later created the season’s slogan: Passion and Purpose. The team plays in the toughest division in the county and to have a winning season, the girls knew that hustle plays, defensive intensity, and hard work would be key. 

    

Unfortunately, the girls struggled to stay healthy as the team was only at full capacity for three of 22 games and dealt with injuries to both Senior captains, including a concussion at the beginning of the season for Mercurio and a late-season ankle sprain for Sexton. 

 

In spite of these obstacles, the team’s hard work and grit showed in their defense where they held teams to just over an average of 45 points a game and Oak Knoll to a season-low 29 points in the second game of the year. This defensive intensity was underscored by the team’s 164 steals on the season, 31 of which came from sophomore Emily Sensenich in just 14 games. Sensenich also led the team in assists with 32. 

 

Senior Stephanie Sexton led the team in scoring with 186 points, including 20 scored in a breakout game against Elizabeth in the Pete Tierney Holiday Memorial Tournament. Sexton was also second on the team in rebounding with 116 rebounds, and was second on the team in steals with 27. Senior Samantha Mercurio was also a threat on the court as she was second on the team in three-pointers and second in assists per game. 

 

The juniors also contributed significantly to Summit’s performance this year. Junior and first-time starter Aviva Cohen led the team in rebounds averaging over seven a game and was third on the team in scoring with 91 points on the season. In her last game of the season, she had her first double-double, scoring 13 points and pulling down 15 boards. Emily Demm also started for the first time this season and was a key factor on offense, being second on the team in scoring (128 points) and first on the team in made three-pointers (22). Maeve Keegan, also a junior on the team, adjusted to a large role this year and got big minutes, including several starts. Keegan acted as a stabilizer for the team and racked up 39 points and 69 rebounds. 

 

Although the team ended with an overall record of 4-18, there is much to be proud of. They came together to be a defensive powerhouse and many younger players earned valuable varsity experience. The girls’ program sported varsity, JV, and freshmen teams, and now that a rebuilding year is behind them, the future for girls' basketball is bright!