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Salem Girls Basketball Preview

Last year's record: 10-11 (lost to Andover, 87-30, in Division 1 North first round)

Coach: John Fortunato (4th season)

Key returnees: Karly Henderson, Sr. G; Ashley White, Jr. G.

Key departures: Ashley Arroyo, Jen Olejnik.

Strengths: Backcourt experience and depth. Henderson, a four-year starter, and White are two combination guards that can create matchup problems for any team. Senior Natasha Nieves and juniors Louigina Rijo and Erica Mendez are also experienced guards who will help the Witches employ and uptempo attack.

Concerns: The graduation of size. Arroyo and Olejnik were a pair of 6-footers who are currently playing college basketball | Arroyo at Leslie College and Olejnik at Curry. Fortunato will lean on his guards, while hoping freshmen forwards Jasmine Bryant and Amanda Wilkins get up to varsity speed quickly.

Coach's outlook: "Until you get out there and see other teams in the league, it's hard to know how you stack up. I do know this, the girls are working real hard and my hope with this team is that every time they get on the floor they continue to get better as they go on. Our attitude and hard work will pay dividends.