The Cinnaminson High School girls’ basketball team finished a competitive season with a 22-8 record. Led by senior Ava Sztenderowicz and a strong group of seniors, the Pirates battled through a tough schedule and attempted a deep playoff run.
“We’ve definitely had a good season so far,” Sztenderowicz said ahead of playoffs. “We’ve had some good wins over teams like Shawnee, so yeah, it’s been exciting.”
Sztenderowicz led the team in points, scoring 380, while junior Shiloh Moore contributed the most in assists (74). She admits the team had a slow start in finding its momentum.
“I think the season is going great, and we are starting to get in our flow as a team,” Moore said during the season. “It definitely took some time, but now that we have, it’s helping us play better.”
The team set high goals for itself, with a sectional championship being the ultimate prize.
“I think I can speak for my whole team when I say our goal is to win a sectional championship,” Head Coach Bret Jenkins said.
In her final season as a Pirate, Sztenderowicz’s main goal was to win the championship.
“I really want to win the South Jersey Championship for the first time, Sztenderowicz said. “We’ve lost in the final the past two years, but hopefully this year will be different.”
A big part of the Pirates’ success comes from their hard work and strong bond.
“Our work ethic as a team helps us win games because we are always determined to do our best,” Moore said. “Unlike some other teams, our team has a special bond that gives us an advantage on and off the court.”
Sztenderowicz echoes Moore adding, “Through my four years here, we’ve always had a good relationship. We’ve never had little things that separate a team, and that’s helped us stay strong.”
Despite the team’s strong camaraderie, the team has faced its share of challenges this season, including injuries and player absences.
“Our point guard, Gabby, had ankle surgery, so she’s been on and off. That’s a key component,” Sztenderowicz explained. “We’ve also had players miss time for soccer and other things, but battling adversity has made us stronger.”
To get ready for games, the team tries to keep things lighthearted.
“I like to listen to music and stuff,” Sztenderowicz said. “Bus rides—we always blast music as a team. I usually just get in the zone and have a snack.”
One of the most memorable moments of the season was a big win over Westampton Tech (51-50) in a redemption rematch against the Panthers.
“Everyone was hype and supporting each other, which I think definitely helped us get the win,” Moore said.
Another big win came against Shawnee (48-44).
“Beating Shawnee and beating West Tech on their senior night were definitely memor
able games,” Sztenderowicz said.
Despite not making it to the championship, the Pirates finished strong.
“Most importantly, we want to be playing our best basketball by the end of February,” Coach Jenkins said. “We’ve improved a lot since the start of the season, and I’m happy with the results so far.”
The Pirates relied on their strong leadership, teamwork, and determination to accomplish their goals.
“We just take it one game at a time,” Sztenderowicz said. “At the end of the day, it’s just basketball—you’re going to make mistakes, but it’s about having a next-play mentality and staying together as a team.”
