Bombers getting a boost from freshman Quintero

With several key players back, this winter Sayreville High School’s girls basketball team will be looking to improve upon last season’s total of three victories.

Thus far, the Bombers are off to a 1-2 start, having bested Carteret, while falling to North Brunswick and South Plainfield. Despite the two early losses, there are plenty of positive signs for the Bombers.

The emergence of 5-10 forward Amanda Quintero has been a shot in the arm for the Sayreville offense. In three games, the freshman has averaged 13.3 points per game, including 17 against Carteret, and nearly seven rebounds, while giving her team a much-needed presence under the hoop.

Seniors Rachel Harris and Bridget Giovenco are the team leaders. Harris exploded for 22 points in her team’s 55-30 triumph over Carteret and is a threat from threepoint range. Giovenco, now in her second season as the point guard, is averaging 4.3 points and four assists. She is also a good long-range shooter.

In the Carteret game, Harris and Quintero combined for 39 of Sayreville’s 55 points. The duo helped key a 15-8 second quarter run to give the Bombers a 23-15 edge at the break. Sayreville outscored the Ramblers 20-10 to add to their lead. Other key players for the Bombers include senior forward Tori Woods, and sophomore guards Gina Bongiorno, Amber Edwards and Andrea Payne. The return of junior guard Jackie Nunes, who missed last season with an injury, is another plus. The feisty Nunes is a strong defender who can also play the point. Another freshman, Megan Quinlan, may also see some action.

Sayreville coach Tara Currie noted that her team is still coming together and pointed out that the Bombers had the difficult task of squaring off against two of the top teams in the Greater Middlesex Conference’s (GMC) White Division. South Plainfield’s Ashanti Bishop, who is averaging 15.5 points, and LeRhonda Womack can be a handful for any team, while North Brunswick’s 6-0 center Tatyana Kelly and shooting guard JasmineWalker, who is averaging 20 points, are perhaps even more effective. All four players are among the best in the GMC.

In both games Currie’s team found itself down early and was unable to come back. She noted that her team would have another opportunity against both teams in the second half of the season.

“We’re still a very young team and the girls are still adjusting,” Currie said. “We do have some very good players though and, as a team, our goal is to get better as the season moves along.”