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DeMille, who has compiled a 258-52 record in 12 years at ND, including a 26-1 mark last season and a 47-4 record the last two years, has three starters back and two of her top reserves.
The Irish will again be led by 6-foot-1 center Michelle Campbell, last year's Trentonian Player of the Year. She has already signed with Rutgers.
At Trenton, Murray has put together a 260-125 record over 16 years. That includes a 71-11 record the past three seasons.
This year, all five starters are back, led by one of the state's best guards in 5-foot-5 Mykeema Ford, and one of Jersey's top post players in 6-foot-1 Asia Dowling.
The race between Murray and DeMille for No.1 in the county record book will be as intense as the battle between their teams to see who is No. 1 in the CVC.
NOTRE DAME
Coach: Ann DeMille (13th season)
Last year's record: 26-1
Returnees: Michelle Campbell (6-1, sr., C); Jackie Reddy (5-11, sr., F); Danielle Wexler (5-8, sr., G); Janey Quinn (5-10, jr., F); Bridget Catanese (5-10, so., F); Victoria Mele (5-6, sr., G); Julie Fleming (5-4, jr., G);
Newcomers: Chantal Douglas (5-7, jr., G); Amanda Rapciewicz (5-8, so., F); Seana Smith (5-7, so., G); Kristina Campbell (6-1, fr., F).
Outlook: After setting a CVC record with 26 straight wins to start last season, the Irish return three of last year's starters and two of their top reserves for what may be another banner year at ND.
Senior Campbell, who has already signed with Rutgers and is the premier post player in the East, will be the "go to" girl for the Irish. But she won't have to do it alone because Reddy and Wexler are capable of big games and Catanese has the potential to be one of the CVC's best.
Wexler will move to the point guard slot to replace graduated Talia Merlino, but finding an outside shooter who can hit 3-pointers with the consistency Karen Bolster did the last four years may be impossible.
"Danielle is responding to the challenge of playing the point to the standard Notre Dame point guards play," DeMille said.
TRENTON
Coach: Reggie Murray (17th season)
Last year's record: 21-6
Returnees: Mykeema Ford (5-6, sr., G); Asia Dowling (6-1, sr., C); Charlene Phelps (6-1, jr., F); Ciera Darby (5-9, so., F); Charnette Phelps (6-1, jr., F); Raquelle Rivera (5-10, sr., G); Tonya Canty (5-8, sr., G).
Newcomers: Kendra Owen (5-9, so., G); Karen Aviles (5-9, so., F); Zahiya Anderson (5-6, jr., G); Michele McArthut (5-11, jr., F).
Outlook: Last year the Lady Tornadoes were talented, but young. This year they are even more talented, and much more mature.
That's why coach Reggie Murray thinks this could be the best THS team since 1986. It will certainly be one of the most exciting with Ford back for her third record-setting season, Dowling ready to rule in the paint, and the Phelps twins much improved under the boards. With former frosh sensation Zahiya Anderson eligible again and ready to run the point, the Tornadoes have the formula for a powerful squad.
"Asia is the complete player and a big plus for us," Murray said. "Charnette worked hard all summer to become a better player, and Charlene is Mykeema's target on the fastbreak and ready for a big season."
NOTTINGHAM
Coach: Mike Kelliher (3rd season)
Last year's record: 7-16
Returnees: Vicki Jenkins (5-7, sr.G/F); Alison Werkman (5-11, sr., C); Jen Palmer (5-11, jr., F); Shannon Bennett (5-7, so., G).
Newcomers: Danielle Hanson (5-7, sr., F); Megan Uhaze (5-10, so., G).
Outlook: Although the Northstars are "very young and inexperienced," according to coach Mike Kelliher, this team could mature fast and be pushing for a winning record by the middle of the season.
If senior veterans like Jenkins and Werkman can hasten the development of all the sophs and underclassmen, the Northstars could surprise.
"We played our best ball of the season last February and improved by seven wins over the previous year. We're more of a team this year than ever before," Kelliher said. "It's a fun team to watch."
WEST WINDSOR SOUTH
Coach: Beth Fitzpatrick (3rd year)
Last year's record: 22-4
Returnees: Gio Buono (5-11, sr. G/F); Rashanna Edwards (5-5, jr. G);
Natasha Edwards (5-7, jr. G/F); Lindsey Williams (5-10, so., F);
Newcomers: Dana Lachenmayer (5-10, so, F); Keri Denaro (5-4, so. G);
Jenna Shaughnessy (5-5, so, G); Amy Skapyak (5-7, so,G); Jen Urs (5-7,sr. G);
Outlook: After graduating 3-year veterans Laine Jelenic, Kate Lala, Sara Williams and Ayesha Fitchett, who combined to lead the Pirates to the best record in school history and a spot in the Central Jersey IV final, WW-P South will be rebuilding this winter.
But the Pirates still have high hopes. "Our goal is to qualify for the state tournament," says coach Beth Fitzpatrick. "The girls who are returning are giving us great leadership. All of them except Urs (a transfer from PDS) were on the state tourney roster last year, so they saw the work ethic from the group of seniors we had last year."
Look for the Pirates to rely on a fullcourt pressure defense and score most of their points in transition.
"I hope our defense comes together," Fitzpatrick said. "We hope to create havoc and get a lot of transition points."
STEINERT
Coach: Jim Giglio
Last year's record: 16-10
Returnees: Kelly Pugh (5-5, sr. G); Colleen Weber (5-8, sr. G); Stephanie Burrell (5-6, sr. G); Sarah Bahr (5-7, sr., G); Cynthia Marquez (5-7, sr., F); Nicole Brown (5-8, jr. G); Pam Simons (5-5, jr., G); Lindsay Brenna (5-5, jr., G); Christi Redondo (5-8, jr., F); Bridget Law (5-7,jr. F).
Newcomers: Gina Broach (6-1,jr. F); Nicole Kasian (5-6, so. G); Lindsay Kelly (5-6, so., G)
Outlook:After winning eight games two seasons ago, then doubling the win total to 16 last season, the Spartans hope to take the next step this year.
"Hopefully this is the year for us," says coach Jim Giglio. "We want to be a running offense again and thrive off the press."
With speedy veteran guards Pugh and Burrell back to run the offense for a third season, and Marquez and Redondo providing scoring and rebounding power in the paint, Steinert could stay in the top half of the Colonial Division standings all season. A third returning starter -- soccer star Kelly Dutko -- opted not to play basketball this year, but Giglio looks to have a solid bench led by Law and Brown to keep fresh legs on the floor.
HAMILTON
Coach: Linda Weise (5th season)
Last year's record: 20-7. C.J. Group III finalist
Returnees:Elyse Patterson (5-8,jr. F/G); Jen Rogers (5-9, jr. G); Jessica Williams (5-6, jr., G); Jaime Frascella (5-6, sr. G); Katy McCormack (5-9, sr. F);
Newcomers: Stacy Adam (6-1,jr., F); Jeanette Bell (5-11, fr., F); Melissa Hodge (5-6,fr. G).
Outlook: "We have a good nucleus (of returning players) and good newcomers who will play a decent amount of time," says coach Linda Weise. "We're making progress, and hope to build from last season."
Hamilton has four returnees with experience, a solid fifth starter in Frascella who transferred in last season but didn't crack the lineup until late, and some promising newcomers who should keep the team above .500.
LAWRENCE
Coach: Cindy Westhead (11th season)
Last year's record: 12-12
Returnees: Orpha Allen, (5-4,sr. G); Tiffany Lewis (5-7, jr. F); Tashema Whittaker (5-3, jr. G);' Theresa Gregory (5-9, so. C).
Newcomers: Mary Campbell (5-6, sr. G); Theresa Bottoni (5-9, sr., F); Alexis Hickman (5-9, sr. F); Mary Lazarides (5-9, sr. F); Erica Lopez (5-7, sr. G); Tyesha Thomas (5-6, sr. G); Kiersten VanDoren (5-7, sr., F); Arianna Brame (5-8, so., F); Erin Gomez (5-6, so. G).
Outlook: Last year the Cardinals finished 12-12, "but we're hoping to get over that this year," says coach Cindy Westhead. "We've talked about
the difference between being an OK team and a very good one."
Returning starters Allen, Lewis and Whittaker "are coming together very well and showing leadership," Westhead says. "They're helping the newcomers adjust very well."
Allen will be in her third season on varsity and has improved her game considerably after a strong summer. "She has come in with a great attitude, and is working hard," says Westhead, who will count on returning starters Lewis and Whittaker to form a solid trio with Allen to keep Lawrence in the hunt for a state tourney berth.
