Bad news from the beginning plus the graduation of four key starters forced an immediate realignment of the Westfield High School girls basketball team last year. However, that starting from scratch situation plus the return of senior Catie Carayannopoulos may turn out to be very good news for the Blue Devils this season.

Last year, with an entirely new starting five, the Blue Devils took their lumps early on and Head Coach Liz McKeon had to keep juggling the lineup to find the right combination. The young squad lost 13 of their first 18 games but begun to find the right formula to win five of their final eight games and finished 10-16. Additionally, the final three losses were all competitive.

“(We) Started 5-13 and finished 53 losing a very close game (lost by 2 on foul called at end of game) to 244 Ramapo and scaring New Providence in the County Tournament. First round of States we drew freshly crowned County Champs Elizabeth and took them to the end. Losing 5855,” Coach McKeon recalled.

Carayannopoulos, who had to sit out the entire 2023-24 season due to injury, really proved to be a huge influence her junior season with a team-leading 228 rebounds and 47 blocked shots to go with 209 points (1 3-pointer, 38 free throws), 44 steals and 38 assists. Her return will give the Blue Devils plenty of leverage with the lineup.

“Having Catie back is huge on and off the court. She has been a leader since she was a freshman and we look forward to her and Laura’s (Oliveira – other senior) leadership skills. Catie knows what it takes to win. She has won state championships in both basketball and volleyball as well as three straight sectional championships in volleyball,” Coach McKeon explained The Blue Devils got a lot of mileage last year from Sophie Lane and Megan Logan (now juniors) and Mairin Fowler (now a sophomore). Lane led the team with 250 points, which included 11 3-pointers, was second in rebounds with 162 and blocks with 41, and added 24 steals. Logan led the team in rebounds (171), blocks (75), steals (40) and assists (51), while scoring 159 points. Fowler also scored 159 points, including 20 3-pointers, and added 43 assists, 65 rebounds and 28 steals. With the rebounding skills of Carayannopoulos, Lane and Logan, the Blue Devils could have firm control of the boards.

Additionally, Catherine Oliveira and Lucy Burke (now sophomores) also matured quite well as the season progressed. Oliveira pulled 142 rebounds, led the team with 43 steals, scored 133 points and added 34 assists. Burke grabbed 101 rebounds and added 80 points, 24 steals, 20 assists and 14 blocks.

Junior Darby Hubner returns with ample floor time and finished with 58 points, 26 rebounds, nine steals and nine assists. Laura Oliveira finished with 43 rebounds, 31 points, six steals, five assists and four blocks.

“With the majority of our team coming back, plus getting people back from injury, our expectations are high. Last year was a learning experience and we definitely had some growing pains. The growth of this young team from the beginning of the year to the end was amazing. I was (and continue to be) extremely proud of the fight of these girls. They don’t back down to anyone and always fight,” Coach McKeon emphasized.

Sophomore guard Molly McDermott returns from an injury and freshman Kate Cymbor has been added to the roster.

“She (McDermott) will add tenacity and quickness both defensively and offensively. Along with Molly, Mairin and Catherine are also part of the state champion soccer team. We are hoping the winning ways of the volleyball and soccer teams translate to the court. This team is a year older, more experienced and has gotten a taste of what winning feels like,” Coach McKeon expressed.

The Blue Devils will travel “out of this world” today, December 19, to face Neptune at 5:30. On Saturday, December 21, they will be at Plainfield to face the Cardinals at noon then on Monday, December 23, at 11:30 the Blue Devils will host Rumson-Fair Haven.

Coach McKeon pointed out, “Our goals never change: play as a team and win as a team. We always think and play as though we can win the conference, the county, the section, and the state. All are achievable as long as we do what we set out to do.”