PASSING IT ON: Hun School girls’ basketball player Kennedy Jardine looks to pass the ball in action last season. Senior guard Jardine will play a key role in triggering the Hun offense this winter. The Raiders, who fell 76-58 to the Blair Academy last Monday in its season opener, are next in action when they play at the Life Center Academy on February 12.

Dealing with COVID-19 concerns and strict protocols hasn’t dampened interest around the Hun School girls’ basketball program.

“The surprising thing is that this is the most girls I have ever had come out,” said Hun head coach Bill Holup, noting that the team’s December practices were held outdoors on the school’s tennis courts.

“I think there were about 30 girls who came out originally even under the circumstances of being outside in the cold and everything. That was very encouraging.”

In mid-January, the Raiders finally got to practice in their gym and were thrilled to work indoors.

“They were excited, they are still wearing masks,” said Holup. “It is such a fun group and they are excited to be together; together but separate.”

Hun is returning two key performers in senior guards Izzy Lalo and Kennedy Jardine, who helped Hun go 18-7 and advance to the state Prep A final last year.

“This will be Izzy’s second year being healthy; when she first came to us two years ago she had an injury and missed the entire season,” said Holup, whose team started its 2021 campaign by losing 76-58 to the Blair Academy last Monday.

“Now that Kennedy and her have played together for an entire season, they know each other very well. They live in the dorms, they get along great. They can both handle the ball, they both can shoot and both of them can create. We are expecting a lot from both of them.”

Holup is expecting junior Kiera Hahn to provide some gritty work at guard.

“This is her third year with us being a varsity member, she does a lot of the little things,” said Holup, who will also be using a trio of freshman Aly Leva,
Michaela Pestano, and Anna Schweer along with junior Lily L’Oiseau in the backcourt.

“She will draw the charges, get those loose balls and box out against anybody. She does all those things that don’t always show up in the box scores.”

At forward, sophomore Sasha Moise is looking to build on a solid debut campaign.

“Sasha started probably about half the games last year,” said Holup, noting that sophomore Priscilla Stelmach is also returning in the frontcourt.

“When we had some other players out with injuries, Sasha stepped in. When she didn’t start, she was usually the first person in the game off the bench.”

Post-graduate Kennedy Wilburn should step in and make an  impact in the paint for Hun.

“Kennedy is coming from Cherokee High in South Jersey, they are a solid team,” said Holup, whose front court unit will also include freshman Lexi Kobryn.

“She will give us good size and experience in the post area. Her basketball IQ is terrific. Her athleticism is great as is her attitude.”

While COVID-19 concerns will limit Hun’s schedule this winter, Holup believes his players will show a great attitude in dealing with those challenges.

“They are making the most out of every day, we are happy that we are having a season,” said Holup, whose team is slated to play at Life Center Academy on February 12.

“We will do what we can; we will play some of those local private schools multiple times. It is nice to have some good numbers and talented kids who seem pretty committed to it, even under the circumstances.”