Right now, as the second half of the season gets underway, the Barnegat girls basketball team is relying heavily on one of the team’s most experienced players, sophomore Kya Joseph. Yes, a sophomore, the Bengals’ highest-scoring returner from last season.

“It’s a team effort and my teammates push me to do what I do, but I know I need to carry my team when a game’s on the line,” said Joseph, after she poured in 22 points and snagged 11 rebounds during the Bengals 35-31 win over Shore Conference Class B South rival Pinelands on Jan. 24.