December 9, 2011
2011/2012 Team Preview: |
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Senior Lisa Rovatsos looks to win her fourth county championship with Bayonne. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
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By Jason Bernstein Editorial Director |
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As the three-time defending county champions, it'd be easy to understand why there'd be pressure placed on Bayonne. But in the eyes of head coach James Turner, the pressure won't be from a slate of league contests where they'll have a target on their back. Instead it will be in the quiet confines of their own gym.
"I'm not too concerned about them feeling pressure from other teams," the fifth-year head coach said. "I'm trying to put them in a position where practices are so hard that games are easy.
"I don't think it's any pressure (being defending champs). The girls have enjoyed great success, they know what it tastes like, they know what it feels like."
No one has experienced greater success than Bayonne's tandem of Tara Flynn and Lisa Rovatsos. Both four-year starters, they have been cornerstones of the Bees' recent run of success and are arguably the two top returning players in the County.
Flynn, a 5-foot-6 point guard committed to Adelphi, is an elite defender with three-point range, averaging 10 points and four assists per game. Rovatsos, the HCIAL's reigning Player of the Year, is committed to Caldwell and is a double-double threat whenever she hits the court. Last year she averaged 15 points and 13 rebounds per game.
The 5-foot-8 Rovatsos will have a different role as a senior, primarily a post player the past few seasons, she will be asked to handle the ball more and spend more time at guard. Regardless of position, she should still be a matchup nightmare.
"She's stronger than most guards and quicker than most forwards," Turner said. "She provides a lot of matchup problems."
The graduations of Luisa Montalvo and Kerrie Kosakowski have left Bayonne without a proven third option, but Turner hopes junior Alex Fajardo fills the void. An occasional starter a year ago, Fajardo will be the third guard in the lineup.
The forward rotation is a little more up in the air, but right now Amelia DeSantis and Aniah Williams expected to start up front. Williams, a 5-foot-6 sophomore, has impressed with her strength and physical style of play.
"She's very physical, she gets a lot of rebounds, a lot of offensive rebounds, she screens hard," Turner said. "She does the dirty work and that's what we need."
Juniors Mercedes Fetch and Amanda Novielli will also press for time at forward. Sophomores Jessenia Montalvo and Deserai Vazquez will be the top reserves at guard and showed promise with their play in the summer.
2011-12 Bayonne Overview |
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