The Verona High School girls basketball team improved its record to 7-3 on Saturday by defeating Newark Lab 45-36.
Playing at home, VHS was neck-and-neck in the first quarter with Newark Lab, a small public charter high school based in Newark’s Central Ward. Verona pulled away just ahead of the half, before turning on the jets in the third quarter, putting up 16 points to Newark Lab’s nine.
Jada Bednar, a sophomore, led the scoring for Verona with 16 points. Fellow sophomore Giada Contorno had eight, while junior Cali Giacomazza and freshman Eliana Marateo had six apiece. Verona has a very young team this year, with only one senior on the squad. It is also the first season as head coach for Verona resident Pat Coyle, who previously coached at Rutgers University and the WNBA’s New York Liberty.
Girls hoops travels to Livingston on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. start before coming home on Thursday to play Montclair Kimberley Academy.
