After a successful 2018-2019 season, the West Essex Girls Basketball team looks to stay victorious and have an even better 2019-2020 campaign. Although they lost a few key players from last year’s graduating class, the team is optimistic they can follow in the footsteps of their alumni.

Sophomore Halle Aschenbach was a key player as a freshman, and will look to be a vital force for the team this upcoming season. 

“Having a year on varsity changes the way I approach this season because I am so much more confident and now I know what to expect,” Aschenbach said. “I am going into the season with a set goal and the right mindset. We moved up a division, but a team goal is to win counties and the conference this season, and I hope to contribute in anyway I can.”

Senior captain Grace Weiss also has high expectations for her final season. After putting the work in for four years, she looks to leave it all on the court. Along with Aschenbach, one of Weiss’ goals is to win big titles. 

“As a team we want to win another conference title, get first place in the holiday tournament and we are looking to make a good run in states,” Weiss said.

However, apart from winning, Weiss also wants to be a good leader for the underclassman. She wants to “ to take on a leadership role and to be an example for the underclassmen so they see what hard work can accomplish and carry that into future years.” 

The squad is driven by team chemistry, hard work and focus that comes from players in all four grades. The team looks to pick up where they left off and is willing to do everything they can to come out on top.