Watt was the star of last year’s ECT final vs. London Caldwell’s IC Lions as she ignited a 19-4 third quarter surge by the Mountaineers with four 3-pointers on her way to a game-high 24-point output to lead West Orange to its second ECT crown in program history, 43-41, over the top-seeded Montclair Catholic school.

She has continued to produce in big moments in February which was in evidence in the recent (Feb. 7) ECT quarterfinals as she hit 12 conventional field goals and finished with a game-high 25 points, 3 rebounds, 6 assists and 6 steals as the Mountaineers owned the second half vs. seventh-seeded West Essex, outscoring the Knights, 42-18, to pull away for a 62-30 victory.

Caldwell added 18 points, 6 assists and 6 steals vs. Wessex as the dynamic backcourt duo for West Orange accounted for 43 points.

After a rather pedestrian 11-point, 6-steal outing in the regular season win at University as the Phoenix’s Edwards made her debut for the Brick City magnet school, Watt came up with another energizing effort in her team’s important second meeting this season vs. Caldwell with her 24 points which were complemented by 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. The Mountaineers outscored the Chiefs, 35-25, in the second half en route to its 11-point margin victory which took some of the pain away from a 55-51 loss in West Caldwell on Jan. 13.

West Orange and Caldwell look to finish as co-champions in the SEC-American Division.       
Now in her third season as a varsity contributor (she averaged 8.9 ppg as a freshman for a 20-10 Mountaineers squad in 2022-2023, Watt has continued to progress as an all-around player.
“Rhyan has worked hard in trying to improve each year,” said West Orange’s 13th -year head coach Caniece Williams. “She is attacking the rim a lot more, scoring at all three levels, and developing her mid-range game as well.

“I also like the fact she continues to distributing the ball very effectively and her assist numbers are good.

“Plus, she is terrific defensively and has developed into one of our best rebounders.

“Off the court she is also one of our top students with a 4.4 GPA and has a tremendous future in whatever professional field of work she chooses to pursue.

“I know that she’ll pick a college that fits both her athletic and academic interests.”   

Watt, who has already received interest from Cornell, NJIT and Iona, enjoys her classes at West Orange including favorite courses such as AP environmental science and calculus.

“I want to study biology, hopefully attend ‘med’ school and I hope to one day be an anesthesiologist,’ she said. “I know it’s a lot of school, but I look forward to it as I learn all I can so I can be ready for that is involved in a very important role.”

For now, her role on the basketball court is to try and lead West Orange to another ECT crown and – hopefully – another trip to the overall Group 4 state final in Jersey Mike’s Arena at Rutgers University.

Hillsborough edged the Mountaineers, 55-52, in last year’s Group 4 title tilt.

“It’s an exciting time of the season,” said Watt. And, I feel that we’re ready for the challenges ahead these next few weeks which includes going out and winning another county championship!”

West Orange won its 12th straight game on Tuesday afternoon (Feb. 17) completing its SEC-American Division schedule with a 77-61 victory over West Essex as Caldwell led the way with 29 points and Watt had 19 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.

NOTES- Rhyan has a twin brother Aidan Watt who is an outstanding 2-year starting center for the successful West Orange football team…Their dad Martin is manager of a utility company and mom Rhesha works in the insurance field…When not busy with basketball Rhyan also enjoys shopping at a number of different places, including Jersey Gardens, The Willowbrook Mall, Paramus Mall and Woodbury….She has been playing basketball since the fifth grade and has traveled with Team Sharp to tournaments around the country including in Pittsburgh, Atlantic City and Indianapolis and also in states such as Kentucky and Ohio….West Orange won its first ECT title in 2019 with a team led by Mya Bembry and current Yale University standout Kiley Capstraw…University has appeared in 12 previous ECT finals winning three championships with the last one coming in 2020 vs. Immaculate…West Orange also defeated University, 43-27, Jan. 8, at home, before Edwards was eligible to play for the Phoenix following her transfer from Hudson Catholic.

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