Owls take to the hardwood under a new coach

Winning is contagious around Highland Park High School athletics.  That is the opinion of HPHS girls basketball acting head coach Erin Washington, who believes her squad will feed off the recent accomplishments of the Owls’ fall sports season.
“All of these kids play multiple sports and know each other,” Washington said.  “Watching these teams win and do well, it helps this group of tight-knit students.  They like to see each other succeed.”

Washington is stepping in for head coach Glen Kertes, who will sit out the season for personal reasons.  The ’08-’09 squad finished 15-10, falling as the No. 6 seed in the Central Jersey Group I quarterfinals to Florence, 48-41.

“I think it’s a similar team this year,” Washington said.  “We only lost two starters and we’re settling into a run-and-gun set.  Our defense will be our best offense and even though we’re very junior heavy, there is still some experience on the court.”

 

Graduation created the departures of center Alyssa Hudgins (who posted multiple double-doubles last season) and guard Ally Kessler.  This year’s HP squad has just two seniors, Leah Salkin and Melanie Smith; Smith is returning from a two-year hiatus from the team.

Despite taking on her first varsity basketball head coaching position, Washington knows this group of players very well.

“I’ve been around the program for five years, either helping out or as an assistant,” Washington said.  “I’m excited to coach for at least the year . . . I have to look at it as my team.  The kids have responded and a lot of these juniors are players that I coached when they were in eighth grade.  They know what I’m about, that I expect them to work hard and that I love to win.”

The Owls’ high-octane tempo will fit in well with the style of their star point guard, junior Jocelyn Summers.  Coming off a campaign that saw her post per-game averages of 14 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5 assists, Summers will have a lot of the load on her shoulders.

“I expect her to be a leader and more vocal this year as a floor general,” Washington said.  “On the court and before games, she’ll have to speak up and get everyone on the same page.  She makes everyone else better and now in her second year as captain, she has to take that next step.”

Summers is joined by Salkin in the co-captain spots, with both players entering a second season in the position.  Salkin led HP in steals last season and is considered the best “shutdown guard defender” on the team.

While the frontcourt will be less emphasized in transition sets, Washington isn’t concerned about rebounding.  The team returns its top two on the boards in Summers and fellow junior Ariel Brown (who led HP at 9.5rpg from small forward in ’08-’09—and added 12.5ppg too).

“I’m looking for the frontcourt to chip in and get some points under the glass,” Washington said.  “That area is definitely not a weakness with the rebounding production we return, but some other players are going to have to step up in there.”

Experience is another feature that will aid Washington in her transition to the head coaching spot.  Sophomore Tali Petkov is considered one of the “toughest players on the court” at just 5’2” and junior Niashia Southerland is “streaky but can shoot the lights out.”  Both garnered varsity time last year.

The often-mentioned recent turnaround in the HP girls basketball program has never been pinpointed to one event or moment.  However, Washington believes the way the Owls changed their style on the court was a major factor.

“I think our run-and-gun was a big reason why we were in those sectional title games,” Washington said.  “We got athletes in here . . . they were at their best when we just let them play.  Sometimes, with a quick, physical and athletic team, you just have to rebound, run and score.  Playing loose worked, and we stuck with it.”

 

Washington feels that HP should contend for the Blue Division crown as the calendar turns to 2010.  Spotswood is considered the early favorite, with Middlesex quickly emerging as HP’s main rival.
“I expect to compete for the Blue title,” Washington said.  “There’s no reason to think otherwise if our kids work hard and keep improving.”