By Fiona Corrigan, Staff Writer

Despite the ongoing challenges facing high school athletics this year, the Trinity Hall Monarch basketball team has been off to a strong start to their current 2021-2022 season. With a 10-7 record, the Monarchs are led by new coaches along with senior captain Haven Dora, junior captain Jill DeSio, and sophomore captains Nina Emnace and Siobhan Stapleton. 

“Coach Kristen and Coach Abby are both experienced players that truly have a love for the game. Over the past months our team has been able to connect with them and take their advice and add it to our game plan,”said junior Jill DeSio. “Their constant cheers off the bench and motivation during the game push our team to constantly focus all of our energy into the game, and give our best effort during practice.”

The team has already shown resilience both on and off the court, as injuries and Covid exposures have presented a challenge early in the season. Health and safety concerns have continued to limit the spectator capacity for the attendance of fans, media, and parents as well, since state regulations still significantly restrict sporting event numbers for all indoor winter athletics. However, the team has persevered nonetheless. 

“During the pre-season, a few of our players were out due to Covid protocols, so we had to readjust and work harder than ever,” DeSio said. “At one point in the season, we only had eleven players in total from both the varsity and junior varsity teams. In a sense, this made our team stronger because we all had to come together and hype each other up, and create a vibrant energy in the gym.”

So far the Monarch’s most outstanding performance has been their 44-41 win against Rumson-Fair Haven on the road.

“This win meant so much to us because everyone gave everything they had into the game. Our coach had prepared us for a while before the game, making sure we had all the information we needed to have our best shot at beating them,” DeSio said. 

Emnace scored 16 points while fellow sophomore Stapleton followed suit with 9 points, pulling the team ahead against the Bulldogs late in the game. Haven Dora made four free throws on the way to 14 points, all resulting in success for the Monarchs. 

The Monarchs finished the season 13-11, and 7-5 in Shore- A Central. They are proud of their successes and look forward to next season.