HAMILTON — Carmela Arana is proof that one player can make a noticeable difference in a varsity high school girls’ basketball team. Arana, a 5-foot-7 guard who transferred from Edison High to Stuart Country Day School ahead of her sophomore season after compiling 319 points, 112 rebounds, 70 ste als and 60 assists as an Eagle. Then, after the summer, Arana ended up at the Princeton prep school and, through three 2025-26 games, she has amassed 56 points in her first three contests with eighth-year head coach Tony Bowman’s club. Arana impressed so much Monday when she put up 25 points and 10 assists for a double-double as the Tartans remained unbeaten with a 62-24 win over Hamilton West at the Hornets’ Nest that fans were coming up and asking for her autograph after the outing. “(Assistant) Coach Rob (Rogers) reached out to me over the summer and told me how strong Stuart used to be,” Arana said. “He said he thought I could help them get back to that level.” Arana got stronger as the game went on yesterday. She scored six points in the second quarter and six more in the third, then erupted for 11 more points in the fourth quarter to help put the game into mercy-rule status (up by 35 points or more in the fourth quarter; running clock). “I like to bring my energy when I’m out there, and I love this team,” Arana said. “I love my steals and trying to get the ball to my teammates. I enjoy shooting 3-pointers as well as getting the ball to the basket. Mostly, I’m happy that we’re changing for the better.” A year ago, Stuart went 6-16, but surprised some when it made a run to the Non-Public B South semifinals in its first season with dual eligibility in the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Tournament and the New Jersey Independent Schools Athletic Association Tournament. Before winter break one season later, the Tartans are already halfway to that win total. With Arana combining with usual consistent scorers Taylor States, a 5-10 senior forward/center who added 15 points and 10 rebounds Monday; Leila Hernandez-Lewis, a 5-7 senior guard who scored 10 against Hamilton; and Lia States, a 5-8 sophomore guard who chipped in nine points, Stuart improved its output in every quarter, making their change that much more understandable. Fifth-year head coach Rob Farina’s Hamilton West team has also started better this winter. But after winning their first two contests, the Hornets have fallen on hard times against Bordentown and Stuart Country Day, both at home. “We have a nice young team, but we still have to figure out ways to handle the ball better and get into our offense,” Farina said. “Against aggressive teams, that’s a problem right now.” Hamilton (2-2) had balance in its attack against the Tartans, just not enough. Kimani Harlan, a 5-10 senior forward turned in a team-high seven points and 12 rebounds. Hailey King, a 5-10 freshman forward scored six points. Zoe Vanselous, a 5-9 sophomore guard/forward, and Aislin Smith, a 5-5 freshman guard, provided four points. STUART COUNTRY DAY (62) TStates 5-5-15, Chirik 1-0-2, LHernandez-Lewis 5-0-10, Broughton 0-1-1, Murphy 0-0-0, LStates 4-0-9, THernandez-Lewis 0-0-0, Arana 9-6-25, Larbi 0-0-0, Valez 0-0-0. Totals — 24-12-62. HAMILTON WEST (24) Harlan 3-1-7, Vargas Gutierrez 0-0-0, Vanselous 1-1-4, Onorati 0-0-0, NJones 0-0-0, Hassel 0-0-0, King 1-4-6, McCabe 1-0-2, AdSmith 0-1-1, AiSmith 1-2-4, Carthan 0-0-0. Totals — 7-9-24. Stuart (3-0)                          10    15    18    19    —    62 HamiltonW(2-2)                     2      3      9    10    —    24 3-point goals — LStates, Arana (SCD), Vanselous (HW). ...read more read less