The Chiefs graduated two players in 4-year varsity standout and 1,000-point career scorer Tea Fiore (Fairfield University) and reserve forward Kaci Pace (Penn State), both as students only.

“Not having Tea anymore is a huge loss because besides her outstanding play she was a great role model for all of us and played a big leadership role for our team,” said Addy Keenan, who will enter the 2026-2027 season with 1,457 career points. "Kaci was another fantastic teammate and we’ll miss them both, but we definitely have all the pieces in order to have another outstanding season.” 

In addition to Keenan, the Chiefs will return a wealth of talent, including returning starters in rising juniors led by defensive tone-setter Fallon Fiore, who is Tea’s younger sister; the underrated guard-forward Elena Kearns, who had 11 rebounds in the Group 2 final vs. Manasquan; and hard-working forward Aayliyah Rodriguez, who is another fine defender and force off the boards.

There is also considerable depth including with the return of rising juniors Adriana Brown and Grace Hodgson, the latter of whom missed all of last season following a knee surgery, but has varsity experience; sharp-shooting sophomore Scarlett Schlomann and valuable junior reserves Bella O’Donnell and Siena Leone.

In addition, Caldwell has an impact transfer in 6-foot-1 junior center Jordan Salisbury, who played her first two years for neighboring rival West Essex, but has since relocated to the Caldwell-West Caldwell school district.

“It’s such a great group of girls,” said Addy Keenan. “Fallon does so much stuff that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet, hustles like crazy all game long and guards the best player on the other team.

“Elena does all the dirty work for us and si a lot more important to what we do than some people may realize. Aaliyah is so tough down below and although she may not be that tall she battles it out with every opponent defending or to get a rebound.

“Adriana is coming off a great year and is having a terrific summer. Scarlett, who is a terrific outside shooter, will really make great strides as a sophomore. Bella is a great hustler and Siena has good size and can really help us get rebounds.

“Adding Jordan, who has already had a couple of strong seasons at West Essex, is going to be a big plus for us.

“It’s a talented team with a lot of depth and I believe you’re going to see a lot of different contributors throughout next year as we work our hardest to get back to Rutgers and win a Group 2 state title!” 

NOTES- Keenan’s United U17 team has already been to tournaments in Atlantic City and Hamilton, Ohio, and will be at another event in Louisville July 23-26…Her United U17 team is coached by veteran AAU mentor Jimmy Ostaszewski, who took over the reins of the team after former coach Joe Gaba, who had been the longtime Chatham High School coach, decided in June to accept an assistant coach’s position at Lafayette College…Among the other teams competing against Caldwell in the Clark Summer League are Union County teams Westfield, New Providence, Linden, host Johnson and Union Catholic along with Essex County neighbor Verona…Coach Amanda Keenan is proud of the fact that all her current Chiefs play AAU ball, including several with the Essex Elite team at Mount St. Dominic which is coordinated by Caldwell resident Chris Checchetto...Caldwell's independent schedule in upcoming season will include participation in an attractive NJBCA showcase event in December at Manasquan High School where the Chiefs will face Shore Conference strongholds Red Bank Caholic and St. Rose...Caldwell tied with West Orange for the Super Essex Conference-American Division championship last season as both were 9-1 while splitting regular season meetings...Caldwell played in the annual early summer 'Jersey Live' even in Junet held this year at Montgomery High School where the Chiefs faced Paramus Catholic and Hudson Catholic.                   . 

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