Team Rolls to a 27-3 Record, Captures First Place at 10-0 in NJAC Play

By Jeff Garrett

Optimism was high last Fall when the Lady Raiders varsity basketball team started practice for the 202223 season. Returning a host of experienced players such as seniors Sydney Jenisch, Madison Jenisch and Aliyah Lambo, head coach Peter Torres knew the season looked Good - but did he think it would be this good?

The team ended up 14th in New Jersey, never having cracked the Top 20 before. December was almost loss-free after the Lady Rams survived a scare on Dec. 22 versus River Dell, 39-37. After a tough loss in the Ridge Holiday Invitational on Dec.30 to Bayonne, the 6-2 squad won their next 13 games going 10-0 in January. They won their January games by an average of 16.1 points per game, fending off Westfield HS, 40-38, on Jan. 28.

Taking a 22-2 record into the post-season, the Lady Rams marched over Rahway, North Plainfield, Colonia and Mendham before edging Teaneck, 40-39 in the NJSIAA Group 3 semi-final round on Mar. 2.

A bittersweet loss to Ewing High School, 41-38 in the finals capped off a great season withRandolph accumulating a .900 winning percentage, one of the best records in school history.

“If anybody told me at the beginning of the year that we’d had done this, I would have chuckled,” said Torres, having finished his seventh season with a 119-55 career record. He gained his 100th win this season thanks to this team too.

As the year progressed and the wins piled up, he became less surprised. One player specialized in unleashing energy, another brought extraordinary hustle while another could shoot with amazing accuracy. while the whole team contributed. “Madison and Sydney made sure to incorporate everyone into this team, this circle. They saw some things which went on last year and wanted to improve upon them and make it better,” said Torres, adding that this team bonded and supported each other almost like none other he’s coached.

Contributing to the team’s accomplishments were the Jenisch siters; Guard Sydney contributed 395 points, of which 48 were treys. She also had 67 rebounds, 48 assists and 48 steals en route to being named 2nd team All-State Group 3 and All-First team, All-Conference. Syney will play continued on page 8