H.S.girls basketball: Early preparation high on Dumont's list

The Maroon and White Tournament is comprised of mostly Ocean County schools and played at Red Bank Regional High School. At the time Cieplicki was looking for something more competitive than the leagues the Lady Huskies participate in during the summer.

They played in the tournament last year and went back again this summer.

"The tournament is unbelievable," Cieplicki said. "They mean business. We got after it and I hope it helps us this winter."

'Higher competition'

The Lady Huskies played two games July 27 and two more July 28. They finished 2-2, topping Barnegat and Jackson Memorial, while losing to a pair of Group 4 schools, Red Bank Regional and Toms River South.

"I thought we were very competitive," Cieplicki said.

"When you play up here you play towns that are equal to you," said Chi Chi Onwudiwe. "[At this tournament] you play higher competition. You have to work harder so you get more out of it."

In addition to playing together as a team there were other benefits to traveling down to Red Bank.

"It was good for team bonding," Onwudiwe said. "We got to sit and talk between games."

"We laughed and got to relax," added Yakira Rosa. "We were all gelling. We know what we can and cannot do. It should be a really good season."

'Everybody back'

Dumont tied for the league title with Ridgefield Park in 2014-15, but fell to 12-15 in 2015-16 after losing three starters to graduation. They were a young team with sophomores Ariana Pena and Amber Porrett and freshmen newcomers Jenna Mazzone and Rosa all playing key roles.

"High school basketball was definitely way different," Rosa said of the leap from middle school ball. "I was on a new team."

Those four underclassmen gained a year of experience in 2015-16 and will be counted on for this upcoming season, as will rising seniors Onwudiwe and Sarah Skeith and junior Caleigh McCabe.

"We only lost one senior," Onwudiwe said. "Everyone else is coming back."

"Sophomore Samantha Howard was also a pleasant surprise over the summer," Cieplicki added. "We could go 10 deep this season."

That's why it is important for the team to play together as often as they can.

"It helps a lot," Mazzone said of the Maroon and White Tournament. "I did not play in it last year so I'll be better prepared this season."

"Everybody is coming back," Cieplicki said. "We have experience. Just being there, especially in the summer helps a lot. A lot of teams are scattered because there is also softball and soccer. These kids get it. They know their job and know what to do."

'Harder schedule'