State tournament appearance highlights BHS girls’ hoop season

By Joe Ragozzino
Sports Editor
In the new Super Essex Conference this season, no team benefitted more than the Belleville High School girls’ varsity basketball team.
The conference was created to put teams of similar playing caliber in their own divisions.
And the Bucs took full advantage, enjoying a competitive 8-12 season that included qualifying for the State tournament for the first time in many years.
In the past, the Bucs competed in the always-difficult Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League, which featured dominant teams, mostly in Bergen County.
Not only did they have to compete against those teams, but they had to endure long bus drives, which took a toll.
BHS second-year head coach Jill Fischman acknowledged that the SEC-Liberty Division did wonders for the team, in terms of travel and competition. Still, her players worked hard, and it paid dividends.
The SEC “helped us tremendously, but my players did a great job,” said Fischman, whose team lost to Warren Hills in the first round of the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group 3 tournament.
The Bucs primarily used a six-player rotation. Three were seniors - point guard Nicole Velardi, and guards Raquel Pichardo and Crystal Ortiz.
Velardi, a four-year letterwinner, showcased her athleticism and leadership, earning first-team all-league honors.
“She was an extension of me on the court,” said Fischman. “She had a wonderful career here at Belleville. It will be sad to see her go.”
Freshman forward Chassity Sousa made a strong impact, starting all but one game this season.
“She has unlimited potential if she continues to work at it,” said Fischman of Sousa, who made second-team all-league.
Jessica Benacquista, a six-foot forward, was the lone junior who was named all-league honorable mention. As the only senior next season, Benacquista is expected to provide much leadership while continuing to be a force on the court.
“We expect big things again from her next year,” said Fischman of Benacquista. “She did a great job this year, rebounding and playing defense. She had some big games offensively. Next year she is going to be the lone senior. She has big shoes to fill from the senior leadership that we are losing, but if there is anybody up to the task, it’s going to be her.”
Sophomore guard Vanessa Gomez rounded out the team.
The team also will miss senior manager Meriena Perez, said Fischman.

Worrall Community Newspapers

2009-10 All-Area Girls' Basketball

Name School Pos. Ht. Year
Brianna Thomas Columbia PG 5-5 Senior
Gabby Jackson Columbia F 5-8 Junior
Shaina Earle Columbia G 5-6 Senior
Jade Johnson-Walker Columbia C 5-11 Freshman
Linda Hamilton EO Campus C 6-0 Junior
Delisha Thompson EO Campus G 5-8 Junior
Domonique Herring EO Campus G 5-6 Senior
Ashley Morris West Orange C 5-11 Senior
Anna Fucci West Orange PG 5-0 Senior
Alnisa Hernaiz Irvington F 5-8 Senior
Natasha Walker Irvington PG 5-6 Soph.
Andrea Fraser Glen Ridge C 6-1 Senior
Mary Alati Glen Ridge G 5-2 Soph.
Tahirah Matthews Bloomfield C 6-0 Senior
Nicole Velardi Belleville PG 5-6 Senior
Chassity Sousa Belleville F 5-9 Freshman
Khayriyyah Dawson Bloomfield Tech G 5-7 Junior
Qyidirah Williams Orange G 5-8 Senior
Alissa Tucci Nutley G 5-2 Senior

Players of the Year: Brianna Thomas, Columbia; Delisha Thompson, East Orange Campus
Coaches of the Year: Derrick Johnson, East Orange Campus; Johanna Wright, Columbia
Editor’s note: The All-Area is selected by the Essex County sports staff of Worrall Community Newspapers and consists of schools in the WCN publishing area of Belleville, Bloomfield, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Irvington, Maplewood, Nutley, Orange, South Orange, West Orange and Vailsburg. The athletes chosen also must reside in those municipalities.