VIDEO: Lady Hawks will look to compete through defense

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

The Cape May Tech girls basketball team won’t dazzle anyone with prolific offense.

With that in mind, the Lady Hawks are hoping to grind out victories through their defense this season.

“I’d like for us to be more of a defensive-minded team,” Tech coach Amber Waddington said. “Offense is great but how good can you be if you can’t stop the other team from scoring?”

Tech enters the 2019-20 season a little short on experience. Yes, three starters return, but two of them are sophomores. The returning starters are senior Emily Pasceri (5-2 G) and sophomores Izzy Schmucker (5-32 G) and Kennedy Campbell (5-5 G/F).

Seniors Leah Williams (5-10 F) and Olivia Albrecht (5-9 F) also saw varsity time last season.

Newcomers expected to chip in include junior Sydney King (5-7 F), sophomore Alex Garcia (5-4 G) and freshman McKenna Anderson (5-4 G).

“We’ve moved the ball phenomenally in our scrimmages,” Waddington said. “They’re communicating well and there’s good chemistry on the floor. That’s good to see at the beginning of the season.”

Cape May Tech finished 9-15 and in third place in the Cape-Atlantic United Conference last season. The team also won a bracket championship at the Boardwalk Basketball Classic. Waddington is hoping the team can accomplish the same kinds of things this season, while also mixing in a few more victories.

“I’d like for us to have at least a 10-win season,” she said. “We’re very young, but while being young the top five or six do have some varsity experience so that should help us. We’re looking to continue to grow the program and be competitive this season.”

Waddington is assisted by Jessica McAnulty.

Cape May Tech begins the season Friday at Egg Harbor Township at 5:30 p.m.