Wednesday, February 10, 2021
The Observer | www.theobserver.com
Sports & Recreation WITH
Jim Hague
9
Harrison girls turn to ‘Lady Blue’ alum to lead in Caliendo
ogsmar@aol.com
NA’s Vikings: Rough start among COVID rules The North Arlington High School boys’ basketball team has sputtered out of the gates amid the new-fangled season due to the regulations and restrictions placed upon high school sports due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. After the late start, the Vikings have lost all four of their games so far. But that hasn’t discouraged head coach Marcello D’Andrea one iota. “First and foremost, the kids have great desire to play,” D’Andrea said. “We knew it was going to be a little tough. We were returning only two starters and both are 5-foot-5.” The Vikings suffered a big loss when Sean Manzo suffered a leg injury during soccer season that will keep him on the sidelines for the entire basketball season. They lost another key player who was kept out of action due to the concerns caused by COVID. But D’Andrea remains upbeat. “I am optimistic that we can be playing our best basketball before the end of the season,” D’Andrea said. “It’s all part of the process. Even though the results aren’t there, I think we’ve been making strides in terms of team chemistry. They’re getting a feel for each other.
We’re working on situational stuff. We’re grasping the idea of better man-to-man defense. I don’t want them to get down too far. I want to build them up.” However, the competitive side of D’Andrea is evident. “No, I’m not a happy camper now,” D’Andrea said. “I’m doing my due diligence to make the team better. We subscribed to Hudl (the renowned video service) to break down every game. We know we are trying to get to the basket more and get to the free throw line. But the kids compete. They play hard. I’m happy to coach these kids. They’re a good bunch of kids.” Leading the returnees is senior guard Joey Witt. The talented 5-foot-6 three-sport standout Witt (football, basketball, baseball) averaged eight points per game last season as the team’s shooting guard. “He can play the 1 (point guard) if he has to,” D’Andrea said. “He’s the catalyst of the offense. Joey has to be on the floor. He brings the intensity and fire to the team. He’s the type of kid you want to have on the team. He’s the cog who makes the engine go.” Another returnee is 5-foot5 point guard Fernando Baez. See VIEW, Page 11
Photos by Jim Hague
The Harrison girls’ basketball team this year will count on the leadership provided by senior guard Haley O’Donnell (left) and junior forward Emily Leiras (right).
By Jim Hague ogsmar@aol.com Jenn Caliendo is Harrison through and through. She’s born and raised in Harrison, schooled there in from prekindergarten through Harrison High, eventually graduating from Harrison and moving on to Rutgers-Newark. In her journey through the years, Caliendo was an athlete, predominately a severely undersized center for the girls’ basketball team. She continued her career in college at Rutgers-Newark, playing three seasons for the Scarlet Raiders, ending in 2009. She had to reinvent herself as a player at R-N, going from playing center in high school to guard in college. “I had to learn to become a versatile player,” Caliendo said. “I knew that was going to be my assignment. My whole college career was getting to be an all-around versatile player.” Caliendo also learned from two great coaches in her career, going from the immortal Hudson County Sports Hall of Famer Jack Rodgers in Harrison to Kevin Morris at Rutgers-Newark. “I learned about the values of playing man-to-man defense, full court too,” Caliendo
said. She also learned something about herself – she wanted to be a coach one day. So Caliendo volunteered her time coaching kids on all levels – recreation, youth leagues, then her alma mater. She became an assistant to Erika Thompson at her alma mater. “I learned from other coaches, learned about their philosophies,” Caliendo said. “I learned so much from Erika.” Caliendo spent three seasons as Thompson’s assistant with “Lady Blue,” the nickname for the Blue Tide’s girls’ basketball program. When Thompson became a mother during last season, she stepped down to concentrate on her parental duties. “When Erika told me she wasn’t coming back, I didn’t know what to think,” Caliendo said. “It was going to require a whole new chapter in my life. But I knew I wanted to be the head coach. Years back, I knew I wanted it.” For Harrison athletic director Kim McDonough Huaranga, it was a no-brainer. She recommended Caliendo assume the head coaching duties. Caliendo was then appointed as the new head coach.
“I was beyond grateful,” Caliendo said. “It was really my dream come true.” Caliendo realizes her importance to the Lady Blue sorority. “Especially in this post-pandemic world, I have the responsibility of keeping these girls afloat and even inspired to continue to play sports,” Caliendo said. “I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work. I know the importance of being a student/athlete.” In her playing days at Harrison, Caliendo was named the school’s top scholar/athlete and was honored at the NJSIAA’s annual luncheon. She was also a member of the National Honor Society. “My academics and sports were my No. 1 priorities growing up, so I expect nothing less from out girls,” Caliendo said. “I’m grateful to have the chance to motivate them from my experience and not just tell them.” Caliendo had to face the adversity of coaching Lady Blue through the endless pandemic. In fact, for most of the time over the summer, Caliendo could do nothing. The summer leagues and clinics that her team usually participated See HARRISON, Page 10
