Katie Fricker is one of just three seniors on The College of New Jersey women’s basketball team and she believes the adversity the Lions have overcome this season will serve them well in the conference playoffs. TCNJ (15-10) gained the No. 2 seed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs and opens its drive for a conference title in the semifinals on Tuesday at home against No. 6 Rutgers-Camden at 7 p.m. Camden (14-12) advanced with a 69-55 upset of No. 3 Rowan (14-10). The other semifinal game has No. 1 William Paterson (24-1) hosting No. 4 Stockton (16-10), which defeated No. 5 Montclair State (15-11), 67-60. The NJAC finals are set for Friday at 7 p.m. at the higher seed. “I can’t wait for the playoffs,’’ declared Fricker. “We have been able to have experiences this season that I believe will help us in the long run. We are going to continue to take it one game at a time and see how far it gets us.’’ The Lions started the season with six straight defeats, and since that rough beginning they have put together a strong, 15-4 finish to the No. 2 seed. “I believe that the key to this season turning around was our resilience,’’ said Fricker. “We knew that we were going to win games down the stretch and we just needed to stick together. We’ve been able to have a great in-conference record because we kept in mind that basketball is a long season and to take it one game at a time.’’ Fricker’s leadership has been a key down the stretch. She is second on the team in scoring with 11.8 points a game, second in rebounds with 6.9 a game, and first steals with 40. Amanda Baylock leads the Lions with 14.2 points a game and Brooke McFadden leads in rebounds with 8.7 a game. TCNJ and Camden split the season series with the Scarlet Raptors winning at home, 54-53, and the Lions taking an 81-61 win in Packer Hall. Always a very confident player, Fricker understands that it’s not incumbent upon her to do it all. “Being on a team with as much depth as we do, I did not feel pressure to step up offensively,’’ Fricker said. “We have a team where anyone could go off at any night, and it just happened to be my time the past couple weeks. Everyone has stepped up in big ways and I want to do anything I can to help our team reach our goals.’’ Fricker’s goal after graduation is to join the nursing profession. But, first she wants to make sure this senior season is a memorable one. “Senior year has been very special to me, as I emerged into a leader on this team and I am very lucky to have a great group of girls that is extremely bought into the team,’’ Fricker said. “It feels weird to be saying my career is coming to an end, but I wouldn’t want to finish it with any other group of people.’’ Fricker and the other seniors, Olivia McGee and Myah Horigan-Hutton are ready to make it a great finish. ...read more read less