WEST CALDWELL- The desire to prove its place among the best teams in Essex County begins with unrelenting defensive pressure for an experienced Caldwell team which in spite of its still relative youthful nucleus appears ready to be right there again in late February and early March.
The Chiefs began their 2025-2026 season with an energetic jolt by bottling up Glen Ridge for much of Thursday night’s contest in a resounding 56-30 victory in the James Caldwell High School gymnasium, the same site where it had all come to an end last March in a one-sided loss to Madison in the North 2, Group 2 state sectional final.
“After losing the final here last year we definitely had that game on our mind for a while, but we were also determined to get right back to work which we’ve done that,” said senior Tea Fiore who scored 16 points and had 4 assists. “We’ve been practicing hard, especially on our defense where we try to use our speed and feistiness.
“We feel that even if a team is bigger than us, that we can use our athleticism and speed to help turn our strong defense into points at the other end.”
While veteran coach Amanda Keenan’s young Caldwell squad enjoyed a splendid 26-4 season last winter (including 10-0 in the Super Essex Conference-Liberty Division), Glen Ridge also had an exceptional campaign, achieving the program’s first state sectional title, and then advancing to the overall Group 1 state final where it fell to New Providence in a close contest at Rutgers’ Jersey Mike’s Arena.
Glen Ridge graduated three starters from that team, including very productive 6-foot center Riley O’Sullivan (MIT) and standout point guard Katie Powers (Bucknell for lacrosse), and despite returning some good size this season. and winning its first two games of the new campaign, including this past Tuesday’s 52-37 triumph over University, the Ridgers do appear to be susceptible to pressure defense, which was certainly the case vs. a quick and persistent Chiefs squad.
Fiore and junior Addy Keenan, who had a game-high 23 points, including five made 3-pointers, helped Caldwell (1-0) build a comfortable 34-13 halftime lead over Glen Ridge (2-1) by combining for 14 points in a 21-8 edge for the Chiefs in the second quarter.
Sophomore Elena Kearns (12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 steals) also helped spearhead the defensive pressure along with Tea’s sister, sophomore Fallon Fiore (5 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals).
“Defense is definitely something we’ve been working on a lot because it does fuel our offense,” said Keenan, who had 15 first-half points. “Along with that, we’ve also been working on our chemistry because that is so important for a team’s success.
