CALDWELL- Kyla Ramseur has an undeniable passion for basketball and in the process looks to be an inspiration for those around her who play the game, which for the final month of the 2025-2026 season – and perhaps beyond – will be coaching the Mount St. Dominic girls.
The 27-year-old Ramseur, a former standout player at Bloomfield Tech and in college at both Dominic and Post University, took the reins of the Mount program following the Jan. 21st resignation of second-year head coach Brian Dorflaufer and two of the Lion assistants.
“I’m truly excited about this opportunity as the ‘interim’ head coach and I appreciate the support of the school in trusting in my ability to guide and inspire these terrific young student-athletes,” said the enthusiastic former scholastic and collegiate point guard now in the early stages of a burgeoning coaching career. “Just like when a player is hurt, it’s ‘next man up,’ and I’m happy to be here to help our girls to keep progressing after what was a brief storm.
“It’s all about creating a winning culture on and off the court and building both the discipline and sisterhood for our girls.”
The Mount has played well for the most part since Ramseur took the reins of the girls hoops program at the Caldwell-based Catholic school.
The sixth-seeded Lions gave third-seeded Arts all it could handle before being edged, 39-36, on a late 3-pointer by the Jaguars in Saturday’s Essex County Tournament quarterfinals in Newark. They bounced back nicely the next day in the Morris Vs. Essex Coaches Vs. Cancer Showcase at Morris Hills, roaring past West Morris, 74-52.
Overall, it’s been mainly a solid recent stretch for the Mount which began following a 59-36 Super Essex Conference-American Division loss at No. 13 ranked West Orange on Jan. 22 in Ramseur’s first game at the helm. The Lions then reeled off five straight victories, winning at Payne Tech and Wayne Hills before knocking off Montclair, 58-23, in the first round of the ECT on Saturday, Jan. 31, and defeating SEC-American Division rival West Essex, 53-41, on Tuesday, Feb. 3 before knocking off Cranford, 61-46, in independent action on Thursday, Feb. 5.
The Mount (14-8, 2-5) will now look to try and finish strong, including with its next conference clash on Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 10) at Glen Ridge.
The Lions have just one senior on its roster with key players such as junior Bella Iannitelli, sophomore Gia McArdle and freshman Hailey Root helping to lead the way, and with solid supporting role players including sophomore Izzy DeLorenzo and freshman Sofia Gonzalez.
Iannitelli had a 'double-double' with 23 points and 20 rebounds in Sunday's win vs. West Morris, while McArdle led in the scoring column with 27 points and Root added 13 points and 6 boards.
The new Mount head mentor on the hardwood is excited about the possibilites.
“I’m looking to try and help this team build on its great potential,” said Ramseur. “We have a very talented, young group here to work with, that’s for sure!”
The Mount coach comes from good basketball lineage having been a backcourt leader for longtime Bloomfield Tech coach Bill Rogers on some strong Spartan teams.
Bloomfield Tech, which played its home games at what is now the West Caldwell Tech home gym, merged with North 13th Street Tech to form Payne Tech in the 2018-2019 school year.
Ramseur will always value her basketball upbringing with the former BT head girls hoops honcho.
“Coach Rogers was amazing to play for and really helped me become a better point guard each season,” added Ramseur. “He was a big reason why my high school career developed in such a positive fashion and led to me pursuing an opportunity to play at the next level.”
