High Point basketball teams seeking success

SUSSEX — After all of the hard work on- and off-the-court during preseason practices, scrimmages and workouts, the high school basketball season will get underway in full force across the Garden State this weekend.

Student-athletes, coaches and fans alike share a sense of nervous excitement as tip-off time approaches.

So whether a team is ready or not, there’s no turning back now. Two local teams hoping to show they are ready for the competition that awaits them this winter are the High Point Regional High School boys' and girls' squads.

The Wildcats’ girls' program, with head coach Chris Dexter at the helm, had a successful 2012-13 campaign and is looking forward to seeing what the team can accomplish this season. High Point finished with a 21-6 record last year and will have a mix of veterans and newcomers on the roster.

Key returning players for the Wildcats include Janine Hlavaty (senior, guard/forward), Lanae Tallamy (senior, forward), Erin Woop (senior, guard), April Peterson (junior, center) and Madalyn Smith (sophomore, guard).

Newcomers hoping to have a positive influence for the Wildcats this winter include Kayla Halloran (sophomore), Paige Heller (sophomore), Keeley McGregor (sophomore), Kate Morris (sophomore) and Loree Tallamy (sophomore).

“Our captains, Erin Woop, Janine Hlavaty and Lanae Tallamy, have done a great job leading this team," Dexter said. “In addition, our players have worked hard in the offseason and I would expect us to be in the mix for the league title.’’

The High Point girls' team is scheduled to open the season with a home game versus Pope John on Friday, Dec. 20.

Boys basketball
The boys' program, which will begin the season with a road contest at Pope John on Friday, Dec. 20, had nine victories last year and have six seniors, Kyle Adams (guard), Kevin Lawson (center), Brandon Potucek (guard), Matt Rittweger (guard), Brad Smolen (guard) and Adam Walton (forward).

“I am expecting all of them [the six seniors] to show the young guys how to work hard in practice and be a varsity athlete," coach Jesse Strehl said. “We want to play the game hard, play as a team and get better every day. We are looking to be a contender every night. We play in a tough division with some really good teams, but we believe in each other and are going to compete night in and night out."