She shoots, she scores!

EBHS’s girls basketball team is more than just a team, it’s family.

Coach Retz prepares his girls for the game; encouraging them to try their best and play as a team.

Coach Retz prepares his girls for the game; encouraging them to try their best and play as a team.

Sarah Kincaid, Bear Hub Editor

Made up of only 12 players, the girls let their tight bond guide them towards their goal of championship. Their strong connection, added to the girls’ determination, strength, focus, and passion for their sport is what pushed them so far in the season.

The Bears varsity girls basketball team holds an 11-3 record and, for their 2020 season they were the ninth seed in the country tournament in which they advanced to the quarter finals. The girls were also the thirteenth seed in the central jersey group four sectional tournament, playing Montgomery 3/3.

With all the girls proving their varsity basketball team to be true champions this season, EBHS would like to congratulate senior Brianna Sliwinski one recording her 1,000th point and for being selected all red division and all Middlesex County. Also, congratulations to junior Erin Cosio for being selected second team all red division. Both Brianna Sliwinski and Erin Cosio are captains of East Brunswick High School ‘s varsity basketball team.
The girls would like to thank their coach Mr. Retz for having confidence in them throughout the whole year, encouraging them at every game, and for supporting them through it all!

An Interview with the captains:

Q: WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT COACH RETZ?
Erin Cosio: The best thing about my coach is how he sees us as people before players. He really cares about each and every one of us and makes that known every day. It was his first year as a varsity coach which could be stressful, but he’s done more than we could’ve ever asked for, and he got our team to the quarterfinals in the GMC tournament.
Brianna Sliwinski: The best thing about coach Retz is that he always pushes us to be the best we can be and he always believes in us. He is also always so encouraging with his words and is so positive towards every player.

Q: HOW IS YOUR TEAM DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS?
Erin Cosio: What sets our team apart from others is how we are always viewed as the underdogs. We are a young team this year with only three seniors but we got further than people expected us to. Our work ethic is unmatched.
Brianna Sliwinksi: What sets our team apart from others is that we work in every off season like in the spring, summer and the fall. We are always working so hard. There are only 12 of us one the team so we are like a family, we are always together one and off the court.

Q: WHAT WAS THE BEST MOMENT FROM THIS BASKETBALL SEASON?
Erin Cosio: The best memory of my season was probably senior night. It was so great to see all our seniors out on the floor and our team chemistry. I had a tough first year but played a different game the second half and stepped up.
Brianna Sliwinski: The best moment of our season was making the quarterfinals in the GMC’s because nobody really had faith in us but we were able to prove them wrong.

Q: WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR NEXT SEASON?
Erin Cosio: Being named captain of the team this year as a junior prepared me for my role next year. I want to bring the team together and stay a team, we’ll play as a whole. Returning next year, I hope to bring out the best in all my teammates and show what the EB girls basketball program has in store in the future years. I also hope to play at the next level in college.
Brianna Sliwinski: This is my senior year, so I won’t be here next season but, I’m sure the goals for the other girls will be to have over a 500 record, and perform the best they can be. Good luck girls!