December 16, 2011
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Junior Alexis Wilson is a three-year starter at point guard for the Royal Knights. (Photo: Jason Bernstein) |
| Marist Royal Knights Photo Gallery |
By Jason Bernstein Editorial Director |
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The legacy of long-time Marist girls basketball coach Bill De Fazio is evident all over the Royal Knights' home gym. The court is named after him and there are plenty of mementos throughout of the late head coach, the winningest girls basketball coach in Hudson County history.
One year after De Fazio passed away from pancreatic cancer, it is that legacy which has led his wife, Alice to take over as head coach and restore the program her late husband built up.
"The only reason I went back is because of the connection with Marist, what Bill did for Marist and what Marist did for us," said Alice, the current Athletic Director at NJCU and a former head coach there and at St. Dominic Academy. "He accomplished so much there, the fact that they even considered me and asked me, I really am humbled. "We have a really, really good group of kids and they're committed to bringing the program back to the tradition and the pride, not even about the winning, that will take care of itself. Bill put his heart and soul into the program."
Just one player, guard Angela Randle, remains from the last Bill De Fazio-coached team in 2008-2009. Now a senior, the 5-foot-5 Randle is a three-year starter and will be looked upon to provide scoring and outside shooting for the Royal Knights.
Randle is one of three returning starters in the backcourt and is joined by Kayla Rowan, the team's top defender, and Alexis Wilson.
Wilson, a 5-foot-4 junior, enters her third season as the team's starting point guard and has the talent to be a difference maker for Marist.
"She's got a lot of ability as a point guard, but I see a growth in her leadership capabilities and that's so critical," De Fazio said. Her forte is taking people off the dribble and going to the basket. If she gets double-teamed she's going to make her teammates better because she can kick it out and give the ball up at the right time."
Marist lost more than 35 points per game out of their front court a season ago with the departures of Antoinette Blake and Jasmine Brandon. In their place is 5-foot-9 sophomore Angela Lenzo and 5-foot-9 Marisa McCabe. McCabe, who transferred from Cedar Grove last year is the x-factor for Marist as she comes back from a series of injuries which ruined her junior season. When healthy, McCabe has the versatility to play all five positions on the floor.
Forwards Muriel Pierrott and Diamond Kirkland provide added depth and toughness off the bench. Freshmen Anaya Hobert (a 5-foot-5 guard) and Marlena McMichael (a 6-foot-0 forward) are raw and inexperienced, but could prove valuable later on in the season.
2011-12 Marist Overview |
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