There is No Margin For Error
As IC Eyes ECT & State Titles

While it is a game that Immaculate Conception would rather forget altogether, the fact is the Lady Lions cannot fail to realize the precarious situation they will be in the rest of the way this season when it comes to avoiding any more on-the-court conflicts that could lead to another ejection because a third ejection at this juncture would mean no state tournament in 2025 for the favorite to capture the Non-Public B state crown.

IC (8-2, 4-0) remains an odds-on favorite to capture a fourth straight Essex County Tournament title on Feb. 22, but to remain eligible for entry in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association state tourney, there can be no more reactions like the ones that occurred in what became a very ugly on-the-court incident vs. Lenape n the Dec. 21st Shore Games at St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel.

Punches were exchanged in the third quarter of the independent contest between a player from both Lenape and IC, and when another Lady Lion came onto the court the brief, but frightening incident resulted in three ejections, including two for IC.

IC’s margin of error is now razor thin because, as NJSIAA rules state, “Any varsity team accumulating three or more player or coach disqualifications for flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct prior to the start of a tournament will not be permitted to participate in same.”

So, the Lady Lions cannot afford even a single player or coach ejection for the remainder of the 2024 season – which includes all levels, whether they be varsity, JV or freshmen - or else no playoffs- pure and simple.

“We are appealing the (NJSIAA) decision,” said IC coach Jimmy Kreie. “It was a very unfortunate situation which we feel Lenape started with a punch to the mouth of one of our players.

“We also feel that they should have received more than just one ejection.
“Still, we have moved on and are fully concentrating on having a very strong season as we look to 4-Peat as county champs and then win a state title.”

IC has played the first month of the season without its No. 1 player from last year, University of Albany-bound senior forward Nila Giraud, who has been spending time in physical therapy while letting a sprained ankle absorbed during a volleyball game properly heal.

“Nilah is doing well and we feel she could be close to returning to action,” said Kreie. “We want her to be fully ready to go for our biggest games in February and March so we’re not rushing her back.”

Without Giraud, who was Sideline Chatter’s Essex County Player of the Year last season, IC has been led by juniors Jayah Curtis, Nilah Rivera, London Crawford, Daiya Anderson and Niaja Troutman along with veteran Long Island University-bound senior Camille Wiley.

Anderson missed all of last season with a leg fracture suffered in November of 2023 and is a welcome addition to this season’s squad.

Curtis, who is averaging 15 points per game, has been a force for the Lady Lions with her all-around play including an ability to consistently connect from the perimeter.

“Right now, Jaya is the county Player of the Year,” said Kreie. ”She has really evolved her pull-up jumper, is strong to the rim and has been our most consistent player.”

Rivera, a veteran backcourt performer, has kept progressing as one of the top, young point guards in the state, while Crawford and Anderson have each raised their games as well this season.

“Nilah has been very solid and has taken her game to another level,” continued Kreie. “She is having an outstanding season for us.”

With Morris Catholic moving up to Non-Public A this season, IC is the favorite in Non-Public B where stiff competition may emerge from schools such as Gill St. Bernard’s and Saddle River Day School.

Gill has terrific size with University of Connecticut-bound 6-6 senior Gandy Maloou-Mamel and 6-2 Naval Academy commit Sidney Quinn; however, Kreie likes the way his Lady Lions can match up well even with bigger opponents.

“We like our style of play and I believe we can do well against a team with size like Gill,” he said. “The team we have now has the highest IQ of any group I have coached and I really like our team moving forward.”

As far as the ECT is concerned, the other title contenders would appear to be West Orange and University. The Lady Mountaineers, who lost to IC, 43-41, in the Garden State New Year’s Ball on Jan. 4, own an early-season 53-44 victory over University.

The Phoenix, who have lost to IC in the past three ECT finals, return star senior guard Paradise Fisher from last season’s 27-3 Group 1 state championship squad along with talented 6-3 junior forward Briana Holt.

West Orange is led by its terrific trio of seniors Anaya Karriem (North Carolina A%T) and Kyley Gary-Garrison (Coppin State) along with talented sophomore Rhyan Watt.

IC went up to Boston for the She Got Game Classic over the Jan. 11-12 weeknd and won two games, defeating Cathedral (Mass.), 65-46, on Saturday afternoon before knocking off South (Mass.) 46-33, on Sunday.

Anderson led the way was Cathedral with 23 points while Curtis added 19.

NOTES- IC’s two early-season defeats have come in the Holiday Hoopfest, first to Rutgers Prep (47-39 in overtime) and St. John Vianney (66-27)…The Lady Lions had to bid adieu to one of last season’s key backcourt performers, junior Lena Most, who moved with her mom to Seattle, Wash….IC’s Anderson makes a 90-minute trip each way from Queens, N.Y. to the Montclair Catholic school…Last season’s standout ‘big’ 6-1 center Brenae Jones-Grant, is a freshman reserve at Cleveland State University this winter campaign. She is the daughter of Hillside football coach Barris Grant…Kreie also coaches with the AAU program, ‘Team Sharp’ wher he works with noted coaches such as Team Sharp director Michele Sharp, an assistant at Rutgers Prep, and Stockton State University coach Devin Jefferson.