Girls Basketball Seniors: Emily Milano, Ella Dunn, Emily Walsh, Tabitha DeVries, Lacey Joyce, Caitrin Lynch, Kylee Siebert,

EMILY MILANO

How long have you been playing basketball? On what teams do you play on?

I have been playing basketball since 4th grade, so since I was 10, on a variety of teams. To name a few, the Flemington and Readington rec league, Hunterdon Hustle, Hunterdon Horizon, and a couple more. 

What position do you play?

I usually play either the 3 or 4 position, which would be either a guard or forward. 

What other activities are you involved in at school (clubs, honors societies, sports, etc)?

Last year, a couple of friends and I re-created the ping pong club where we would meet every other week and get to socialize while playing ping pong. I really enjoyed being able to get together with friends after school and also meeting new people. It affected my life by introducing me to new people and getting to see that staying after school doesn’t have to mean going to tutorial or finishing a test, it is also an opportunity to hang out with your peers. 

What activities do you participate in outside of school?

Outside of school, I work at a cafe and help out in any way I can. Because of the hours the cafe is open, during the school year I only work on Saturdays, but during the summer I come in whenever I can. I love the environment that my boss has set up for the establishment and I know I can come to them with any issues without any judgment or questioning, they would simply be there to help or listen. It has immensely affected my life by exposing me to real life situations that I will encounter throughout my adulthood and effective ways to deal with any issues. It has also helped me learn discipline and responsibility for my actions and words. 

What do you do for fun?

For fun, I love to decompress by relaxing, watching tv/movies, hanging out with friends, and exploring new areas. I enjoy finding new places to shop, sight see, or just simply educate myself on because I would love to travel in the future. 

What is your favorite thing/thing you will miss most from Central?

Name at least one thing you want to do before you graduate?

One thing I want to do before graduating is watch the sunset on Stewart field again. That experience was mind opening for me because I got to appreciate the feeling of coming to school with the intention of wanting to, rather than being forced to. 

Plans after high school? College? Career?

After high school, I plan on attending a college, but as of right now I am unsure of exactly where I want to go or study. Eventually I would like to get a degree in esthetician, but that would be after attending a university. My life long goal, however, is to simply be happy in the life I chose and the path I end up on. 

What is one way you have changed since freshman year?

I have gone through a lot of personal growth since freshman year, mentally being able to balance the stress of school while still keeping a social life. It has taken me throughout high school, and I still continue to work on this today, to understand that high school isn’t everything. Yes, there are going to be bad days and yes there are going to be tests that you fail, but it ultimately doesn’t determine your future. 

Pretend you are talking to your freshman self: what would you say to them?

If I could go back and give my freshman self advice, it would be to not let the little things knock you down. I would encourage myself to take every day as it comes and appreciate the good things that happened rather than stressing over the negative. 

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ELLA DUNN

How long have you been playing basketball? On what teams do you play?

I’ve been playing since 1st grade. During highschool I have been on the freshman, JV for 2 years and Vastity for one.

What position do you play?

Forward

What other activities are you involved in at school (clubs, honors societies, sports, etc)?

I am on Varsity Girls Golf. I really enjoy the sport and the people you meet from it. Golfing made me closer with my parents as they both play as well.

What activities do you participate in outside of school?

Outside of school I played for Hunterdon Horizon. I really liked the season as almost all of the

players on the school team also played for Horizon. It was a really fun group of people.

What is your favorite thing/thing you will miss most from Central?

I’ll miss my friends, as this is my last year seeing them almost everyday before we go off to

different schools.

Name at least one thing you want to do before you graduate?

Go skydiving.

Plans after high school? College? Career? What are you looking forward to after high school?

College, I’m excited to see all the other things that come after high school.

What is one way you have changed since freshman year?

I wish I could have changed my outlook on certain things and been more positive.

Pretend you are talking to your freshman self: what would you say to them?

I would say it’s not a big deal, or do your homework.

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EMILY WALSH

How long have you been playing basketball? On what teams do you play on?

I have been playing basketball since 6th grade. 

What position do you play?

I play shooting guard. 

What other activities are you involved in at school (clubs, honors societies, sports, etc)?

I also play softball, in the NHS, French NHS, Rho Kappa NHS, Science NHS, and Key Club.

What activities do you participate in outside of school?

I play club softball for NJ Lady Dukes Gold.

What do you do for fun?

I enjoy hanging out with my friends and playing softball and basketball. 

What is your favorite thing/thing you will miss most from Central?

I’ll definitely miss the relationships I’ve made with my friends and teachers throughout the four years. 

Name at least one thing you want to do before you graduate?

I want to go skydiving. 

Plans after high school? College? Career? What are you looking forward to after high school?

After high school I am going to Babson College and playing softball there. I will major in Finance and Business Analytics.

What is one way you have changed since freshman year?

From freshman to senior year I am definitely more outgoing and more hardworking. 

Pretend you are talking to your freshman self: what would you say to them?

I would tell them to work as hard as you can and you will succeed. 

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TABITHA DEVRIES (CAPTAIN)

How long have you been playing basketball? On what teams do you play on?

I have been playing basketball since 6th grade. I have played basketball for school teams, and my AAU team, United. I have been playing United since 8th grade.

What position do you play?

I play center/forward.

What do you do for fun?

I love taking my dog for runs and babysitting. I also really enjoy hanging with my friends and going to the beach.

What is your favorite thing/thing you will miss most from Central?

The basketball memories. Basketball is a huge part of my life, and it has been such an amazing experience being a part of this team.

Plans after high school? College? Career? What are you looking forward to after high school?

Next year, I am going to Houghton University to play basketball and earn a degree in Elementary Special Education.

What is one way you have changed since freshman year?

I have become more confident in myself and my future.

Pretend you are talking to your freshman self: what would you say to them?

Highschool goes by really fast–enjoy it while you can. Play your heart out and leave it all on the court. 

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LACEY JOYCE

How long have you been playing basketball? On what teams do you play on?

I have been playing basketball for 13 years, since kindergarten. During the off season I play for Hunterdon Horizon. 

What position do you play?

I am a center/forward. 

What do you do for fun?

I love spending time off the court with the basketball team. We’re all a big family and have so much fun together, like going to play pickleball! 

What is your favorite thing/thing you will miss most from Central?

My friends! Getting to see my favorite people every day is something I will definitely miss. 

Name at least one thing you want to do before you graduate?

Skydiving! 

Plans after high school? College? Career? What are you looking forward to after high school?

I plan on going to college, and I want to become a Physician’s Assistant. 

What is one way you have changed since freshman year?

I’ve learned how to be more independent. 

Pretend you are talking to your freshman self: what would you say to them?

Enjoy the time you have (especially every basketball season) because time goes by fast. 

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CAITRIN LYNCH

How long have you been playing basketball? On what teams do you play on?

I have been playing basketball since elementary school on a Readington rec team. Out of season, I play for Hunterdon Horizon with many of the other Central girls. 

What position do you play?

I am a shooting guard/small forward. 

What other activities are you involved in at school (clubs, honors societies, sports, etc)?

I also played soccer from freshman through junior year. Sam Culton and I founded the Ping Pong Club at Central last year. I am in the National Honor Society and French Honor Society, as well as Asian Student Alliance. I also volunteer as a tutor for the Student Success Program. 

What activities do you participate in outside of school?

Outside of school, I play for NJ Elite, a club soccer team. I also work at Juniper Hill Restaurant and Bar, as a food expeditor. I am the link between the chefs and the servers and I manage the food runners. 

What do you do for fun?

For fun, I like to watch movies and cook. My favorite movie is the Maze Runner series, and I love to cook penne vodka. 

What is your favorite thing/thing you will miss most from Central?

I will miss all my friends at Central. It’s going to be difficult to go every day without seeing them in the halls. 

Name at least one thing you want to do before you graduate?

At the beginning of the year, I would have said skydive, but I already did that for my 18th birthday. It was amazing. Now, before I graduate, I want to go on a ski/snowboard trip with my friends. 

Plans after high school? College? Career? What are you looking forward to after high school?

After highschool, I want to go to college. My top choices are Boston University, Pitt, and Maryland. I want to go into the STEM field, probably something related to the environment, sciences, and engineering. I am looking forward to the newfound freedoms and going on a cross-country van trip with my friend. 

What is one way you have changed since freshman year?

Since freshman year, I have definitely become more confident and outgoing. I have found an amazing group of people through basketball, and I know they will be lifelong friends. 

Pretend you are talking to your freshman self: what would you say to them?

I would tell my freshman self to trust your gut, be confident in your abilities, and don’t be afraid to try new things. Great things come from overcoming fears. 

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KYLEE SIEBERT

How long have you been playing basketball? On what teams do you play?

I’ve been playing basketball since I was 8. I played on many travel teams, including Flemington travel, United, Hunterdon Hustle, Lightening, Thunder, Panthers, Hunterdon Horizon, and now for Hunterdon Central, the school team.

What position do you play?

I am a shooting guard.

What activities do you participate in outside of school?

I play the drumset and have been for 5 years. 

What do you do for fun?

My favorite thing to do for fun is listen to music, specifically with wired earbuds. Nothing else, it has to be wired earbuds. I also enjoy watching college and professional basketball, breaking down players and how teams work. During the summer I love to surf and be around the ocean. 

What is your favorite thing/thing you will miss most from Central?

Name at least one thing you want to do before you graduate?

Plans after high school? College? Career?What are you looking forward to after high school?

Planning on going to college.