Spartans aim to build on last season’s success

After a highly productive 2024-2025 season, the Sparta High School girls’ basketball program is working hard to keep the positive momentum going this year.

The Spartans are scheduled to host Mount Olive on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

“We want to compete for a division championship, and look to defend our Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex title,’’ Sparta coach Patrick McCarney said.

Among the key returning varsity tested student athletes are: Moira Sweeney (senior, guard), Kayla Barreau (senior, forward), Alyssa Ciaburri (senior, guard), Brooke Shust (junior, forward), Izzy Van Winkle (sophomore, guard), Kaelyn Sabanosh (sophomore, guard) and Mya Grycuk (sophomore, guard).

Promising newcomers for Sparta include Brooke Meara (sophomore, forward), Avery Munier (sophomore, forward) and Reagan Cina (freshman, guard).

Leadership could very well prove to be a valuable asset for the Spartans this season.

“Moira Sweeney and Brooke Shust are returning starters who will take on more of a leadership role this year,’’ McCarney said. “Kayla Barreau and Alyssa Ciaburri are two seniors who were captains on the soccer team and have great leadership qualities.’’

Last season, the Spartans tallied an overall record of 20-7 with a mark of 10-2 (as second place finishers behind only Morris Knolls) in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) National Division.

They also advanced to the NJSIAA North 1 Group 3 sectional tournament quarterfinal round as the No. 6 seed before being defeated by third-seeded Teaneck. The Spartans topped Northern Highlands in the first round of the sectional tournament last winter.

“We view ourselves as a contender for the division title,’’ McCarney said. “Every team in our Division will be tough this year, as Roxbury, Morris Hills, West Morris, Parsippany Hills and Mount Olive all bring back the majority of their players from last year. Montville comes down from the American Division and will be battle tested.’’