Shore Sports Network Journal Final Four Shore Conference Basketball Tournament

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February 24, 2015 Volume-VII Issue-4


The first thing fans, players, coaches and parents want to know after the big game is always, ” ” Is this going to be on Shore Sports Network has established itself as a leader in scholastic sports coverage in Monmouth and Ocean counties, providing more video highlight clips, in-depth reporting, feature stories and regular updates than ANY OTHER OUTLET in the area.

SteveMEYER

Shore Sports Network Director High School Division steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com 7 3 2 - 2 3 3 - 4 4 6 0

ScottSTUMP

Managing Editor

stump@allshoremedia.com

Senior Content Providers MattManley // Mmanley21@gmail.com BobBadders // Badders@allshoremedia.com

Shore Sport s Net work Journal

is published by: To w ns q ua r e M e d ia 8 Robbins Street Toms River, NJ 08753

Copyright© 2015 Townsquare Media

All rights reserved Reproduction in whol e or in part wi th out the perm is si on of Sh ore Sport s N et work i s prohi bited

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Shore Sports Network Website Features n Get Video Highlights of all the important games that Shore Conference fans will be talking about. n Catch up on the action you might have missed n Watch video clips of everything from the action early in the event to the big finish as well as video interviews with various athletes. n www.shoresportsnetwork.com is the most visited sports site in the Shore Conference during the scholastic year n Follow us on Twitter (over 18,000 followers) & Facebook, we keep fans posted on the latest scores and news n Established leading portal for local high school coverage.

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OPEN MRI & DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING OF WALL

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Continues its Support for the 3 rd Straight Year of the Shore Basketball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Game

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor

This year’s game will once again feature top talent from the girls and boys senior classes in the Shore. On the boys side, the game will include standouts like Christian Brothers Academy's Jack Laffey, Toms River South's Tymere Berry, Shore Regional's Dan Largey, Southern's Jake Logue, Colts Neck's Chris O'Reilly, Point Beach's Jesse Hill and more.

pen MRI and Diagnostic Imaging of Wall has been a proud supporter of Shore Conference basketball, which continues this year with the Shore Conference Basketball Coaches Association Senior All-Star Games at Wall Township High School.

For the third straight year, Open MRI will be the title sponsor of this season's boys and girls all-star games, which are on March 25 at Wall Township High School. The girls all-star game will be at 6 p.m., followed by the boys game at 8 p.m. As always, the games are a great way to send off the Shore Conference’s top seniors in their final game as high school players.

The girls game also will feature a host of standouts, including Manasquan's Marina Mabrey, Rumson-Fair Haven's Grace Stant, St. Rose's Jess Louro and Kat Phipps, Neptune's Marajiah Bacon and more.

There also will be a 3-point shootout during halftime of the boys and girls games, with players chosen from the all-star practices competing for longrange supremacy. Powered By

Once again RKE Athletic is supplying the game shirts for the boys and the girls.

“These games for the seniors are a great way for them “This game has become an important to go out, and we are happy to be a part of it” said RKE part of the basketball calendar every owner Ted Maciejewski. year in the Shore Conference, and Open MRI’s The top player in each of the senior all-star games will receive the Arthur W. sponsorship and support are big reasons for that,’’ said Harmon Jr. Most Valuable Player Award, named after the late Art Harmon, a long-time official in the Shore Conference. Shore Sports Network’s Steve Meyer. “Their support allows us to put on a memorable event for these Check our website for more information: seniors as they wrap up their high school careers.” www.shoresportsnetwork.com

ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE 2015 ALL-STAR GAME DAY PROGRAM

B e part of a tradition at the Jersey Shore that reaches

a large and enthusiastic Basketball audience from Monmouth and Ocean counties by having your business featured in this year's 2015 Open MRI of Wall Shore Basketball Coaches Senior All-Star Game official game day program. The detailed game program put together by the Shore Sports Network staff not only recounts the past season and highlights this year's group of All-Stars, it also serves as a keepsake for all the players, coaches and fans involved. Not only is the program a chance for your business to reach a wide and passionate audience, it is a chance to become a permanent part of a lasting memory for many members of the Shore Conference Basketball community.

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CHRISTIAN BROTHERS ACADEMY 2014-15 BOYS ROSTER

NO

1 2 3 4 5 10 12 15 20 22 24 25 31 33 41

PLAYER

Jack Laffey Jack Boyan John Salcedo Derek Leohner Daniel Cleary Luke Chece Connor Aldridge Shaun Belbey Connor Gilmore Samuel Houston Jack McGuire Nicholas Mugavero Joseph Siegle Matthew Dean Patrick Andree

Head Coach: Geoff Billet

HT

6’4 6'0 5'10 6'2 5'10 5'10 6'1 5'10 6'1 6'2 6'7 6'0 6'4 6'6 6'8

YR Sr. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

Christian Brothers Academy (19-4) The top-seeded Colts are seeking their second straight appearance in the Shore Conference Tournament final after falling to Point Beach in last year’s championship game. A win over fourth-seeded Toms River North would give CBA its 23rd SCT final appearance, the most of any team in the Shore since the Colts reached their first final in 1983. CBA is second all-time behind Neptune with 16 SCT titles in its history, and its 16 championships are the most of any team in the conference since the Colts won their first one in 1984. The Colts enter the semifinals having only lost one game to a Shore Conference opponent all season. CBA, which repeated as the Class A North champion during the regular season, is two wins away from its first SCT championship since 2010. To illustrate its dominance, this is the longest stretch CBA has gone without winning the SCT since its first title in 1984. The Colts have won two SCT championships (2009 and 2010) under eighth-year coach Geoff Billet, who starred for CBA in the mid-1990s and played at Rutgers University. The Colts are led by the tandem of junior forward Pat Andree and senior swingman Jack Laffey, who combined for 41 points in a quarterfinal win over eighth-seeded Manasquan. During the regular season, the 6-foot-8 Andree became the first CBA junior to reach 1,000 points since Colts legend Bob Roma, the school’s all-time leading scorer, in 1974. Andree was a first-team All-Shore selection by Shore Sports Network as a

sophomore and has multiple Division I offers, while Laffey is committed to play at Adelphi University. Senior point guard Shaun Belbey is another veteran starter and top ballhandler, and 6-foot-6 junior Jack McGuire gives the Colts length on defense and versatility on offense. Junior guard John Salcedo adds a 3point shooting threat, and senior Connor Aldridge adds a defensive presence on the perimeter.

FOR SHORE SPORTS NETWORK

ADVERTISING INFORMATION

Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460 steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com 4

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TOMS RIVER NORTH NO

1 2 4 5 20 21 22 23 24 40 41 42 43 44

2014-15 BOYS ROSTER

PLAYER

Mike Husni Evan Martin Darrion Carrington Hunter Petrick Anthony Storino Kevin Blum Mike Nyisztor Ted Thelemaque Patrick Marinaccio Brian Brannagan Quintin Manning Jordan Craig Mark Fitzpatrick Justin Wrightson

Head Coach: Rory Caswell

HT

5’10 5’11 6’ 6’1 6’2 6’1 6’3 6’4 6’2 6’2 6’2 6’6 6’ 6’7

YR

So. Sr. So. Jr. Jr. Sr. So. Sr. Jr. Sr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr.

Toms River North (19-4)

The Mariners are back in the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals for the second time in three seasons in search of their first trip to the championship game since 1996, when they lost to CBA in the program’s only appearance in the SCT final in history.

Both semifinal appearances have come under fourth-year coach Rory Caswell, who led the Mariners to their second Class A South title in three seasons during the regular season. A former coach at Ocean County College, he has presided over one of the best stretches in the history of the Mariners’ program, including a schoolrecord 25win season in 2012-13.

The Mariners feature one of the Shore’s deeper lineups, with any of a number of players capable of leading them in scoring on a given night. Senior guard Evan Martin is an athletic slasher off the dribble who had 14 points in their quarterfinal win over Wall, sophomore Mike Nyisztor is one of the Shore’s top 3-point shooters and the team’s leading scorer, junior Pat Marinaccio is another athletic wing player who can get to the basket, junior Hunter Petrick has emerged as yet another scoring weapon, senior Ted Thelemaque is a 3-point threat, senior Kevin Blum is another quality guard off the bench and sophomore point guard Darrion Carrington has been among the Shore Conference assist leaders all season.

Toms River North also has a talented inside presence in 6-foot-6 senior Jordan Craig, a University of Maine football recruit who is coming off a 20-point, 12-rebound effort in the win over Wall.

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RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN NO

2 3 5 10 12 14 15 20 23 24 25 31 33 34 35 44

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2014-15 BOYS ROSTER

PLAYER

HT

Mike O’Connor 6’1 Brendan Barry 6’2 Mickey Schluter 6’ Conner McCann 6’ Alex Geiger 6’1 Thomas Famulary 6’2 Jack Luby 6’2 Tim Morales 6’2 Jackson Reid 6’2 Morgan Maguire 6’3 Reed Bedell 6’6 Matt Healy 5’11 Henry Sillen 6’5 Colin McDevitt 6’ Elijah McAllister 6’6 Kenny Ferrare 6’3 Head Coach: Chris Champeau

YR

So. Jr. Jr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Sr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Fr. Sr.

Rumson-Fair Haven (20-4)

The 11th-seeded Bulldogs are back in the semifinals for the first time since reaching the Shore Conference Tournament championship game in 2011, which is their only SCT final appearance in program history. Both of their semifinal appearances have come under sixth-year coach Chris Champeau. They also became the first team in the Shore Conference to reach 20 wins this season after knocking off third-seeded Freehold Township, 54-43, in the quarterfinals. During the regular season, the Bulldogs earned a share of the Class A Central title with Shore Regional and Manasquan with a 10-2 divisional record. They are led by guard Brendan Barry, who has already passed 1,000 career points as a junior and is one of the top scorers in the Shore Conference. He had a game-high 19 points in the quarterfinal win over Freehold Township. Senior forward Morgan Maguire, an Old Dominion baseball recruit, has also shined in the postseason as a complementary scorer. Senior guards Thomas Famulary and Alex Geiger give Rumson two other scorers out of the backcourt, with junior Mickey Schluter and senior Jack Luby adding to a deep group of guards. Senior football standout Kenny Ferrare gives the Bulldogs toughness in the frontcourt, while 6-foot-6 freshman Elijah McAllister has emerged as a shot-blocking force in the second half of the season.

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NEPTUNE

NO

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Neptune (15-9)

2014-15 BOYS ROSTER

PLAYER

Barry Brown

HT

5’11

So.

5’11

Sr.

6’6

Jr.

Keith Pettway

5’10

King Pugh

6’5

Kerry Kirkwood Marcque Ellington

Keishawn Kirkwood

5’11

Azeon Huntley

5’6

Micah Kerr

Sean McMillan

Oshane Curate

Jared Kimbrough Shane Nolan

Head Coach: Joseph Fagan

YR Jr.

Jr.

Sr.

6’4

Sr.

6’

Sr.

6’1 6’6 6’2

Jr.

Sr. Fr. Jr.

The 10th-seeded Scarlet Fliers enter the semifinals as one of the hottest teams in the Shore Conference, having won 12 of their last 14 games after a 3-7 start. This is their first season under coach Joe Fagan, who took over for Hall of Famer Ken O’Donnell after a successful stint at Jackson Memorial in which his teams went 114-50 in his six seasons, won two division titles and reached an NJSIAA sectional final. Neptune has won 22 Shore Conference Tournament titles, a Shore Conference record, with its most recent championship coming in 2012. A win over Rumson-Fair Haven in the semifinals would mark Neptune’s 38th appearance in the SCT championship game since the tournament’s inception in 1937. The Scarlet Fliers feature a balanced attack with a deep group of guards led by senior twins Kerry and Keishawn Kirkwood, senior Sean McMillan, and the team’s leading scorer, sophomore Barry Brown, who is in his first season with Neptune after transferring from Cardinal McCarrick. Senior forward Micah Kerr, who had 11 points and 13 rebounds in a quarterfinal win over defending SCT champion Point Beach, anchors the frontcourt along with 6-foot-6 junior Marcque Ellington. Senior football standout Oshane Curate and 6-foot-6 freshman Jared Kimbrough add depth to the frontcourt off the bench.

The Scarlet Fliers finished tied for fifth in the Class B North standings during the regular season but have played their best basketball during the tournament, dropping only one game to a Shore Conference opponent in their last 14 games.

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Fruits/Veggies & Starchy Carbohydrates: Your Secret Weapon By Adam Feit - Director of Sports Performance (RYPT)

We move forward with our

healthy habits of performance nutrition and explain the important of fruits/veggies along with making better choices in regards to those breads, pastas and bagels. To maximize your performance on the field, we need a healthy balance of all these food groups especially during this rigorous period of offseason training.

Part 2 of a 4 part sersies

Essentially, we feel more comfortable and can most likely sit in a hot tub longer than an ice bath. By adding more fruits and vegetables to our dietary intake, we are bringing an alkaline (basic) load to our body so we can burn fat and build muscle in a more effective environment.

Take home point: If you’re looking to lose fat, focus on adding more vegetables in your meals, about two fists worth with each time. If fat loss isn’t an issue and you’re looking to add some muscle, two cupped hands worth around most meals shouldn’t be a problem. Females should halve those servings into one each.

Habit #3: Eat fruits & veggies with most/all meals

Here’s something to consider. Every time we ingest some sort of grain (bread, pasta, bagel, etc.) or protein (steak, chicken breast, etc.) we alter the balance of our body’s blood concentration, or make it more acidic. There is nothing comfortable about an acidic environment. Our body has a tough time building muscle or losing fat in this type of environment. Compare it to sitting in an ice bath after practice or workouts to aid in recovery and restoration. We want to get in and out as fast as we can because we can’t stand being in the ice-cold water there any longer as we have to. It’s painful, unpleasant and very uncomfortable. This is how our body feels when we don’t eat enough fruits or vegetables. Lack of fruits and vegetables equals loss of muscle mass and bone strength, both something very critical for success.

But, every time we ingest some type of fruit OR vegetable, we bring balance back to our body’s circulatory system and allow our blood to operate in a more basic state. Now, picture yourself sitting in a hot tub after a long day at school, trying to relax.

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Habit #4: Make better carbohydrate choices

Carbohydrates are the preferred fuel source of the body. If you’re a competitive athlete, you want to optimize your performance by having an adequate amount of these with most meals. Foods like bagels, pasta, granola bars and sports

drinks can all assist with energy demands for sport. They can be digested either quickly or slowly, depending on the source and how it’s prepared (White rice versus brown rice, white bread versus wheat, etc.). They can also aid in providing extra calories for increasing muscle mass and improve recovery from exercise for those who can tolerate them in their diet. But not everyone responds the same to these food types.

If you’re an athlete that can eat a large amount of carbohydrates throughout the day and either have a low body-fat level or not gain any additional weight or body-fat (think cross country runners and skinnier athletes), chances are you’ve got a good tolerance and can eat more. If you’re an athlete that gains weight easily or already has a high level of body-fat (think offensive linemen), then you probably have a low carbohydrate tolerance. Managing this single nutrient can improve your ability to lose fat, gain muscle, maintain size and appearance, and most importantly improve performance. Carbohydrates are great for athletes, but they should be managed appropriately.

When choosing what types of carbohydrates to eat, focusing on high fiber, whole-grain and unprocessed items are the best. Foods like oatmeal, beans, potatoes and quinoa are great natural, unprocessed sources that will keep you feeling full and strong!

Take home point: If you’re looking to lose fat, try to eat more of your carbohydrates on days where you are training or practicing and time them up around your workout periods (about 1-2 cupped handfuls with those meals). For athletes that are trying to gain muscle, opt for most of your meals to include those carbohydrates, along with a generous portion of protein, fruits and vegetables.

In the next article, we’ll address why fat doesn’t make you fat and the importance of hydration! Thanks for reading! #eatRYPT

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or drop it to a teammate on the block for a lay-up makes CBA extremely difficult to defend, particularly on the high pickand-roll.

wo boys basketball teams that have combined for 38 Shore Conference Tournament titles will take on a pair of teams that have never been to the SCT mountaintop when the last four teams standing battle it out to be the one eventually holding the big plaque at Monmouth University.

Top-seeded Christian Brothers Academy is no stranger to this spot, having reached last year’s SCT championship game before falling to Point Beach, not to mention the fact that the Colts have won 16 SCT titles in their history and played in 22 championship games. Since winning their first SCT title in 1984, the Colts had never gone more than four years in between conference championships until now, as their last SCT title came in 2010. Meanwhile, fourth-seeded Toms River North has only reached one SCT final in its history, falling to CBA in 1996.

“(Belbey) penetrates, and teams don’t have a lot of options to come off guys,” Billet said. “When he is able to turn that corner and get by his man, it puts a lot of the pressure on the ‘D’ because they have to make a decision.”

McGuire gives them length on defense as well as a versatile scorer who can get in the lane and step out behind the arc. Guard John Salcedo, who hit four 3-pointers in the Colts’ Round-of-16 win over Red Bank Catholic, is another one Toms River North will have to account for. Under fourth-year coach Rory

CBA’s Patrick Andree

This year’s CBA group is looking to add its names to the list of great Colts teams with two more victories. Under eighth-year head coach Geoff Billet, they are led by the tandem of junior forward Pat Andree and senior swingman Jack Laffey. The reigning Class A North champions have only lost one game to a Shore Conference opponent all season, a regular-season setback against Freehold Township. The 6foot-8 Andree, who has multiple Division I offers, is coming off a 22-point effort in a quarterfinal win over Manasquan, while Laffey, an Adelphi University recruit, poured in 19 points of his own in that game.

While Andree has gotten plenty of individual accolades, including becoming the first 1,000point scorer as a junior at CBA since the legendary Bob Roma in 1974, he knows what needs to be done to be cemented among the greats.

“My focus is on winning first,’’ he said. “One thing I haven’t done that a lot of those other guys have done is win the Shore Conference Tournament. That’s more important that any of the records.”

While Laffey and Andree handle the bulk of the scoring, senior point guard Shaun Belbey and 6-foot-6 junior Jack McGuire have also been important to CBA’s success. Belbey’s ability to get in the lane and either score, get kickouts to open shooters,

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Toms River North’s Evan Martin

By Scott Stump – Managing Editor Marinaccio. Senior Ted Thelemaque uses his long arms to disrupt teams on defense and can also step out and hit the three, while junior Hunter Petrick has emerged as another slasher off the dribble who can score. “They are very talented, they deserve to be the No. 1 seed, and we’re glad we’re playing them,” Martin said about CBA. “When the tournament was being seeded, we wanted to be put on the same side as CBA because we’re a team that wants to play the best competition out there. It’s going to be a challenge, and we’ll be prepared.”

Caswell, the Mariners are back in the semifinals for the second time in three seasons with an almost entirely different group than the one that made it in 2013. A key player for them in defending the interior against Andree and others is 6-foot-5 senior center Jordan Craig, a University of Maine football recruit who had 20 points and 12 rebounds in a quarterfinal win over Wall. When he has played his best, Toms River North has been unbeatable on its way to winning its second Class A South title in three seasons.

A PROUD TRADITION VS. A NEW TRADITION

A 10th-seeded Neptune team that has won a Shore Conferencerecord 22 SCT titles in its illustrious history faces off against an 11th-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven squad trying to make the final push to capture a tournament title it has never won.

Toms River North looks to use its depth

advantage in the backcourt to even out CBA’s advantage in the frontcourt, as the Mariners boast a host of guards capable of swinging the game in their favor. Sophomore Mike Nyisztor has led the team in scoring much of the way and is a dangerous 3-point shooter on kickouts off penetration by guards like sophomore Darrion Carrington, senior Evan Martin and junior Pat

In their first season under coach Joe Fagan, the Neptun’s Barry Brown Scarlet Fliers are one win away from a mind-boggling 38th appearance in the SCT championship game, and two wins away from their first SCT title since 2012. After starting the season 3-7, they have rattled off 12 wins in 14 games heading into the semifinals, including

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which share a division with one another, as well as fourthseeded Rumson-Fair Haven. The Purple Roses, however, earned their perch by proving themselves on the court, beating Manasquan on Feb. 14, the day before the tournament was seeded.

If the Purple Roses can get by a tough Middletown South team in the semifinals, there is a chance they could see Manasquan again in the championship on Friday night for the third time in four years. The two teams have split the two previous title games. St. Rose is two wins away from its fourth SCT title overall, which would tie it with Asbury Park for the fourth-highest total in Shore history.

In the quarterfinals against No. 8 Holmdel – another team in the Shore Conference Class A Central division with Manasquan, St. John Vianney and Rumson – St. Rose looked every bit the No. 1 team in the tournament, outscoring the Hornets by 30 points in the second half en route to a 70-24 win.

By Matt Manley – Senior Staff Writer

he St. Rose girls basketball team is no stranger to the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals, and it was just three years ago that the Purple Roses won the whole tournament.

There is one thing that is new for this St. Rose group as it pertains to the SCT: the “No. 1” attached to its name.

St. Rose enters Tuesday’s Shore Conference Tournament semifinals at Brick Memorial High School as the undefeated top seed in the tournament and will take on No. 5 seed Middletown South in hopes of reaching the championship game for the second straight year and third time in four years.

“I think our girls wanted to send a message that they couldn’t play with us,” St. Rose coach Joe Whalen said. “We have players who like a challenge, and I think that’s what they wanted to prove (Saturday).”

Louro and fellow senior and 1,000-point scorer Kat Phipps combined for 40 points, but the game also showcased St. Rose’s up-and-coming talent. Sophomore Ellyn Stoll dropped in 11 points, freshman Elizabeth Marsicano chipped in nine points and 11 rebounds and sophomore Jen Louro added eight points, three assists and three steals. Freshman Makayla Markham also gave the Purple Roses quality minutes off the bench, particularly on the defensive end. Midd South's Stephanie Karcz

have plugged in their collection of young talent and built on last year.

In order to reach its second straight championship game, St. Rose will have to get past Middletown South, which is fresh off its biggest win of the season. The Eagles took down RumsonFair Haven Saturday at Brookdale Community College, which was the second time in three years Middletown South beat the Bulldogs in an SCT quarterfinal game. Stephanie Karcz, who already has passed the 1,000-point mark as a junior, had 15 points along with fellow junior Julia Valkos to lead the takedown of Rumson.

Middletown South lost to No. 1 seed and eventual champion Red Bank Catholic in 2013 and will face what could amount to an even greater challenge on Tuesday against a nationallyranked Purple Roses team that is not only the No. 1 team in the Shore Conference, but also No. 1 in the state, according to several sets of rankings. St. Rose is ranked No. 14 in the country by MaxPreps.

“It’s definitely in the back of our heads that we can beat anyone with the effort we put out today,” Karcz said. “It definitely showed two years ago when we came back and won on a back door lay-up in overtime, and we proved we could do it again today.”

It will be the strength of the Eagles’ starting lineup against the star power and depth of St. Rose, as Middletown South’s starters, who also include Angela DeBartolome, Haley Dalonzo and Alexandra Balsamo, combined to score all of their points in the win over Rumson.

Middletown South is trying to reach its first SCT championship game since winning it all in 1985. The only other public schools that have won titles since the Eagles’ SCT crown 30 years ago are Neptune, Colts Neck and Manasquan.

RIVALS REUNITE

Class A Central rivals Manasquan and St. John Vianney are scheduled to meet two times per season in divisional play, but both sides came into this season banking on at least three showdowns in 2015.

Warriors-Lancers Part III will tip off Tuesday night at Brick Memorial in the second of the two SCT semifinal games and will also be the rubber match after the two teams split the regular-season series and the Class A Central championship.

“This has been part of the master plan,” Whalen said. “These girls go against Jess and Kat in practice every day and (Friday) might have been our best practice as an entire team.”

“It’s really exciting to be considered the number one team,” St. Rose senior Jess Louro said. “We’ve been working really hard in practice all week, so it hasn’t stopped us from trying to get better and proving that we belong in the number one spot.”

An undefeated mark would not have been enough on its own to secure a No. 1 spot for the Purple Roses, whose competition for the No. 1 seed in the tournament included No. 2 Manasquan and No. 3 St. John Vianney,

St. Rose's Kat Phipps

With all of the pieces falling into the place at an opportune time, St. Rose hopes to clear one more hurdle and finish what it could not last year. The Purple Roses beat Rumson in the SCT semifinals, but fell to Manasquan, 61-41, in the championship game. Although St. Rose lost three starters from that team, the Purple Roses

St. John Vianney’s Kelly

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Manasquan is the defending SCT champion after winning an overtime classic at the buzzer against St. John Vianney in the semifinals before rolling through St. Rose in the championship game. That could very well be Manasquan’s path to a second straight title, and in order to get past Campbell

Girls

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B O Y s Continued from page 14

only one loss to a Shore Conference opponent.

“When I come in, there’s a whole different point of emphasis than coach (Ken) O’Donnell, and that took some getting used to,” Fagan said. “Even when we were 3-7, I was saying, ‘Believe me, it works. I’ve been doing this a long time.’ We’re going to start winning, and when we start winning, we’re going to be a tough out, and that has happened.”

The marquee match-up between the two teams is in the backcourt, where Neptune boasts good offensive balance with senior twins Kerry and K e i s h a w n Kirkwood, senior Sean McMillan, and s o p h o m o r e sharpshooter Barry Brown, who has emerged as a consistent scoring option. Neptune’s size and offensive rebounding ability in the frontcourt behind senior Micah Kerr and junior Marcque Ellington will also be a concern for Rumson. Kerr had 11 points and 13 rebounds in a win over defending SCT champion Point Beach in the quarterfinals while also doing a strong defensive job to limit Garnet Gulls standout Jesse Hill to 11 points.

That group of guards will face off against a

Rumson corps led by junior Brendan Barry, a 1,000-point scorer and one of the best offensive players in the Shore Conference. He is joined by seniors Thomas Famulary and Alex Geiger, another pair of 3-point threats, as well as junior Mickey Schluter and senior Jack Luby. That group will need to play well if Rumson is to reach its first SCT final since 2011 and just the second one in school history. The Bulldogs have never won the tournament, having fallen to Raritan in the 2011 championship, but have had the best stretch of success in program history under sixth-year coach Chris Champeau. Senior Morgan Maguire, an Old Dominion baseball recruit, will be crucial in dealing with Kerr and Ellington underneath while also supplying some offense. Senior Kenny Ferrare gives Rumson another big body under the boards, while 6foot-6 freshman Elijah McAllister could be a huge X-factor as he has emerged as a shot-blocking force in the postseason.

“It’s going to start on the defensive end,” Barry said. “Their guards are very quick, so we’re going to have to contain them and protect the paint again. We’ll have Elijah to do that.”

If CBA ends up meeting Neptune in the championship game, it would be the sixth time in history that they have faced off in the SCT final and the first since 2009, with CBA holding a 4-1 edge. Should Toms River North and Rumson-Fair Haven square off, both teams would be playing for their first SCT title in school history.

SPECIAL THANKS to the photographers who supply the photos seen throughout all our issues & website Mark Brown www.b51photography.com Bill Normile www.billnormile.zenfolio.com Doug Bostwick www.sportshotswlb.com

Rumson's Brendan Barry

Larry Murphy www.sportspixnj.smugmug.com

G i r l s Continued from page 15

the Lancers again this year, the Warriors will look to duplicate their performance from Feb. 3, when Manasquan rolled to a 64-39 win at home over Vianney.

“That game sticks in our kids heads and I think this game coming up will be an opportunity to beat a good team that we are very familiar with,” St. John Vianney coach Dawn Karpell said of the semifinal loss last year. “They played a really good game against us at their place a few weeks ago, and it’s going to be a great challenge for us to prepare better and play better.”

Manasquan coach Lisa Kukoda said. “We would obviously like to control the tempo like we did in the last game, and we are going to try to play the same way while also being ready to see some different things from them to try to adjust.”

Although St. John Vianney lost the last meeting with Manasquan by 25, the Lancers won the first meeting, 58-51. Since the second regular-season meeting between the teams in 2014 – the first game Marina Mabrey played for Manasquan – the teams have alternated wins in the series.

A Manasquan vs. St. Rose rematch from a year ago would give both teams a shot at redemption. St. Rose would be seeking a second SCT title in four years after a lopsided loss to Manasquan last year. The Warriors meanwhile, suffered one of their two losses this season to the Purple Roses – a 60-57 St. Rose win. Manasquan has never won back-to-back SCT titles and is coming off its first SCT crown since 1983.

“We’re going to try to play the exact same way we played last time and come out with a win,” Manasquan senior McDonald’s AllAmerican Marina Mabrey said.

In order for the Warriors to recreate that early-February performance, they would first like to improve upon their performance in the quarterfinals. No. 7 Neptune caused Manasquan problems on the offensive end and the Warriors only pulled away because of a 14-point third quarter by Mabrey that turned a three-point game into a 15-point game. Manasquan went on to win, 49-39, behind 24 points and 15 rebounds by Mabrey.

St. Rose also beat St. John Vianney in a regular-season game last year, but still came in behind St. Rose in the Shore Conference Tournament seeding last year.

“We don’t talk about (being number 1) because we still don’t get St. John Vianney Manasquan's Marina Mabey respect anyway,” is the exact Whalen said. “There opposite of Manasquan heading into were people that thought we were going to Tuesday’s game: the Lancers lost that last lose (Saturday to Holmdel), and that’s fine. meeting to Manasquan in ugly fashion, but We like being the underdog, so if it fuels us are coming off an impressive quarterfinal to keep working hard. People can rank us showing. They picked apart No. 11 Freehold however they want.” Township, 72-37, behind their patented St. John Vianney, meanwhile is looking to swarming defense, 17 points from junior Kelly Campbell and four three-pointers by win its first championship since 2005. In the nine-year tenure under Karpell, the Lancers junior Kellie Crouch. have won an NJSIAA Tournament of “(St. John Vianney) is very good at setting Champions title but have not finished off an the tempo and getting their opponent to have SCT championship. In their proud history, to play at their speed and we need to control St. John Vianney has a Shore-record 12 SCT the things that we want to execute,” titles.

FOR SSN ADVERTISING INFORMATION Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460

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steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com /

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MANASQUAN

Manasquan (21-2)

2014-15 GIRLS ROSTER NO

3 5 10 11 14 20 21 23 24 30 33 44

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PLAYER

POS

YR

HT

G, PG

So.

5-5

G, PG

So.

5-3

F, C

Sr.

5-10

Marina Mabrey

G, SG

Sr.

5-11

Victoria Galvan

F, C

So.

6-0

SG, SF

Fr.

Maggie Kelly

Addie Masonius

SG, SF, PF Fr.

Dara Mabrey

PG, SG

Carly Geissler

PG, SG

Stella Clark Molly Read Alex Kurtz

G, F

Courtney Hagaman Gillian Black

Emma McMenaman

G

Head Coach: Lisa Kukoda

PG, G

Fr.

Fr. Jr.

Sr. Jr.

5-7

5-9

5-6

The defending Shore Conference Tournament champions are looking to win back-to-back SCT titles for the first time in school history after capturing their first SCT championship since 1983 last season. A win over St. John Vianney in the semifinals would give them their third final appearance in four seasons.

Manasquan beat the Lancers 65-63 in last year’s semifinals on an overtime buzzer-beater by now-senior guard Courtney Hagaman. This year the two rivals split a pair of games in sharing the Class A Central title during the regular season, and Manasquan’s only other loss is to undefeated St. Rose, the No. 1 seed. The Warriors have been a powerhouse under third-year coach Lisa Kukoda, a former Red Bank Catholic star who led them to a 27-win season that included the SCT title, the NJSIAA Group II championship, and a trip to the Tournament of Champions final last year. They are led by senior Marina Mabrey, one of the top players in the nation, who averages 27 points per game. Mabrey is a McDonald’s All-American who is committed to Notre Dame and has scored more than 2,000 points in her career.

Hagaman, sophomore guard Stella Clark, Mabrey’s younger sister, freshman Dara Mabrey, and Clark’s cousin, sophomore Addie Masonius, give the Warriors a formidable backcourt, and junior Gillian Black adds another 3-point threat. Sophomore Victoria Galvan is a top post presence who is usually on the finishing end of dishes by the guards off penetration into the paint. Senior Alex Kurtz has also been a solid contributor off the bench.

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MIDDLETOWN SOUTH

Middletown South (20-4)

2014-15 GIRLS ROSTER NO

3 4 11 12 15 20 23 24 30 32 42

PLAYER

Angela DeBartolome

POS

Julia Valkos

Haley Dalonzo

Stephanie Karcz

Brianne Naughton Madison Curtis

YR Sr.

HT

5’5

Jr.

5’9

Jr.

5’9

So. Jr.

Sr.

5’7 5’7

5’7

Roberta Montes

So.

5’6

Jill Falvey

Sr.

6’1

Alexandra Balsamo Hannah Fite

Gabby Cook

Head Coach: Tom Brennan

So. Sr. Fr.

5’7

5’8 5’9

The fifth-seeded Eagles are back in the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals for the second time in three seasons in search of their first trip to the SCT championship game since winning their last title in 1985. Middletown South has won two SCT championships in its history, with the other one coming in 1979. The Eagles are one of only four public schools that have won an SCT title since 1985. They are led by veteran coach Tom Brennan, who earned his 300th career victory in the WOBM Christmas Classic semifinals in December to kick off his 19th season at the helm. Last season, he led Middletown South to a 22-4 finish and the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III title, Middletown South’s first state sectional championship since 1979. This season he has already led them to their fourth straight Class A North title.

Middletown South is led by Stephanie Karcz, who already has passed the 1,000point scoring mark as a junior and is one of the Shore Conference’s top players. She had 15 points in the quarterfinal win over fourth-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven along with fellow junior Julia Valkos, another key member of the Eagles’ stellar starting lineup. Senior Angela DeBartolome and sophomores Alexandra Balsamo and Haley Dalonzo round out the starting five, which scored all of Middletown South’s points in the win over Rumson and has consistently accounted for almost all of the Eagles’ scoring in big games.

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ST. JOHN-VIANNEY

St. John Vianney (20-2)

2014-15 GIRLS ROSTER NO

3 4 5 11 12 14 15 20 21 22 25 25 31 32 33

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PLAYER

POS

Abby Anderko SF, SG Courtney Dobrzynski G Kellie Crouch PG, G Emily Uribe G Julia Ramos G Riley Kehoe G Kimi Evans C, F Kelly Campbell PG Zoe Pero F Madison Doring G, SF Gabrielle Camponegro F, C Gigi Caponegro PF Tina Lebron G Megan Furch F Vanessa Pinho G Head Coach: Dawn Karpell

YR

So. So. Jr. Jr. So. So. So. Jr. Jr. Fr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr. Jr.

HT

5-9 5-9 5-6 5-9 5-5 5-5 6-3 5-9 5-10 5-10 6-1

5-6 5-10 5-6

The most accomplished girls basketball program in Shore Conference history, the Lancers are seeking their 19th appearance in the Shore Conference Tournament final. They have won a Shore-record 12 SCT titles, including a record-six straight from 1994-1999, with their last title coming in 2005.

Ninth-year head coach Dawn Karpell is a former Lancers star who has led them to an NJSIAA Tournament of Champions title in 2009, an appearance in the 2010 TOC final, four Non-Public A titles and eight division titles as well as two appearances in the SCT championship game. The Lancers look to avenge a loss to Manasquan on an overtime buzzerbeater in last year’s semifinals. Manasquan and St. John Vianney split their two regular-season games this year to share the Class A Central title. The Lancers are led by junior guard Kelly Campbell, a DePaul University recruit who scored her 1,000th career point in the SCT round of 16 while registering a triple-double in a win over Matawan. She followed that with 17 points in a win over Freehold Township in the quarterfinals. Kellie Crouch, who had 12 points in the win over Freehold Township, is another key cog on the junior-laden Lancers thanks to her ability to stretch the floor with her 3-point shooting.

Sophomore Courtney Dobrzynski complements Campbell and Crouch in the backcourt, and juniors Tina Lebron and Zoe Pero give the Lancers perimeter depth, while sophomore Kimi Evans and junior Gigi Caponegro anchor the frontcourt. Junior Vanessa Pinho is also a key contributor on a rotation where all the players have made big shots in high-pressure games this season and been part of the Lancers’ trademark swarming, full-court press.

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ST. ROSE

St. Rose (24-0)

2014-15 GIRLS ROSTER NO

3 4 5 10 11 12 13 14 20 21 22 23 24 25 33

22

PLAYER

Danielle Jordan Katie Coakley Kirsten Heine Makayla Markham Ariana Dalia Jess Louro Kelly Regan Kayla Dillenger Ellyn Stoll Elizabeth Marsicano Jennifer Louro Gianna Cretella Kat Phipps Alex Preckajlo Alex Pendergrass Head Coach: Joe Whalen

POS G G F G F G G G G F G G G F F

YR

Sr. Sr. So. Fr. Fr. Sr. So. Jr. So. Fr. So. Sr. Sr. So. So.

HT

The Purple Roses are in the midst of what has the potential to be the best season in their history as the only undefeated team left in the Shore Conference Tournament. They enter the game ranked No. 14 in the nation by MaxPreps and No. 1 in New Jersey thanks to a regularseason win over defending SCT champion Manasquan, which is also ranked in the top 25 nationally. Third-year coach Joe Whalen has presided over one of the best stretches in program history, leading the Purple Roses to a 29-4 record last season that included a trip to the SCT final, the NJSIAA Non-Public B title and an appearance in the Tournament of Champions semifinals. St. Rose is seeking its third trip to the SCT championship game in four seasons after losing to Manasquan last year and beating the Warriors in the 2012 championship game for its third SCT title in history. St. Rose is led by one of the Shore’s top duos, seniors Kat Phipps and Jess Louro. Phipps, a St. Francis (N.Y.) College recruit, poured in 34 points, including 19 in the fourth quarter, in the regular-season win over Manasquan and had 17 points and 7 rebounds in the Purple Roses’ quarterfinal win over Holmdel. Louro, who is committed to Middle Tennessee State, had 23 points in the win over Holmdel. Senior Katie Coakley along with the upand-coming talent of sophomores Ellyn Stoll and Jen Louro and freshmen Elizabeth Marsicano and Mikayla Markham have also been key contributors.

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Most Titles:

1976: 1. Neptune (22) 2. CBA (16) 1975: 3. (tie) Lakewood, Red Bank (8) 1974: 5. Manasquan (6) 1973: Most Consecutive Titles: Neptune, 7 (1961-67) 1972: 1971: 2014: Point Beach 49, CBA 41 1970: 2013: Lakewood 39, Point Beach 33 1969: 2012: Neptune 37, Colts Neck 33 1968: 2011: Raritan 43, Rumson-FH 35 1967: 2010: CBA 60 Middletown South 44 1966: 2009: CBA 58 Neptune 49 1965: 2008: Neptune 67 Monsignor Donovan 52 1964: 2007: Freehold Township 55 CBA 49 1963: 2006: CBA 65 Monsignor Donovan 56 1962: 2005: CBA 57 Manasquan 41 1961: 2004: Raritan 60 Neptune 58 1960: 2003: CBA 44 Raritan 30 1959: 2002: Neptune 57 CBA 47 1958: 2001: CBA 56 Neptune 39 1957: 2000: CBA 60 Neptune 38 1956: 1999: Red Bank 44 CBA 43 1955: 1998: Neptune 55 Red Bank 48 (OT) 1997: Long Branch 44 CBA 42 1954: 1996: CBA 64 Toms River North 58 1995: CBA 58 Lakewood 57 1953: 1994: CBA 51 Long Branch 38 1993: CBA 60 Red Bank 52 1952: 1992: Red Bank 60 CBA 54 1991: Lakewood 86 Lacey 67 1951: 1990: CBA 42 Neptune 30 1950: 1989: Lakewood 79 Neptune 77 (OT) 1949: 1988: CBA 57 Lakewood 55 1948: 1987: CBA 58 Asbury Park 55 1947: 1986: Asbury Park 61 Lakewood 60 1946: 1985: CBA 70 Asbury Park 63 1945: 1984: CBA 58 Mater Dei 51 1944: 1983: Red Bank 61 CBA 58 1943: 1982: Toms River South 83 Neptune 80 1942: 1981: Neptune 59 Long Branch 28 1941: 1980: Neptune 72 Manasquan 45 1940: 1979: Middletown South 73 Red Bank 68 1939: 1978: Asbury Park 41 Long Branch 37 1938: 1977: Long Branch 65 Lakewood 49 1937:

Neptune 59 Long Branch 54 Lakewood 55 Neptune 45 Lakewood 65 Wall 60 Ocean 71 Neptune 63 Neptune 80 Manasquan 66 Ocean 65 Henry Hudson 56 Long Branch 88 Neptune 67 Henry Hudson 56 Long Branch 53 Lakewood 61 Ocean 55 Neptune 48 Lakewood 45 Neptune 61 Lakewood 44 Neptune 63 Lakewood 56 Neptune 59 Matawan 53 Neptune 66 Point Pleasant Beach 54 Neptune 82 Keyport 58 Neptune 69 Keyport 60 Matawan 62 Manasquan 59 Red Bank 68 Matawan 47 Lakewood 59 Atlantic Highlands 57 Manasquan 79 Red Bank 56 Red Bank 55 Lakewood 51 (Class A) Manasquan 76 Neptune 65 (Class B) Matawan 70 Point Pleasant Beach 56 (CLass A) Neptune 73 Manasquan 52 (Class B) Atlantic Highlands 62 Hoffman 59 (Group II) Red Bank 60 Neptune 55 (Group I) Hoffman 53 Atlantic Highlands 41 (Group II) Neptune 60 Manasquan 39 (Group I) Hoffman 56 Atlantic Highlands 53 (OT) Neptune 61 Hoffman 52 Red Bank 56 Neptune 52 Neptune 71 Atlantic Highlands 45 Manasquan 58 Freehold 48 Manasquan 57 Point Pleasant Beach 25 Red Bank 34 Manasquan 27 Manasquan 31 Red Bank 26 Lakewood 40 Toms River 36 Neptune 32 Manasquan 25 Neptune 42 Manasquan 40 Manasquan 35 Neptune 32 (OT) Hoffman 33 Manasquan 31 Neptune 41 Manasquan 38 Atlantic Highlands 28 Neptune 22 Keyport 31 Atlantic Highlands 22

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Most Titles:

1. St. John Vianney (12) 2. Neptune (7) 3. Red Bank Catholic (6) 4. Asbury Park (4) 5. (tie) St. Rose, Manasquan (3)

Most Consecutive Titles: St. John Vianney,(6) 1994-1999 2014: 2013: 2012: 2011: 2010: 2009: 2008: 2007: 2006: 2005: 2004: 2003: 2002: 2001: 2000: 1999: 1998: 1997:

Manasquan 61, St. Rose 41 Red Bank Catholic 50, Point Boro 46 St. Rose 65, Manasquan 56 Neptune 57, St. John Vianney 48 Neptune 60, Colts Neck 50 Neptune 56, St. John Vianney 54 Colts Neck 66, Red Bank Catholic 53 Red Bank Catholic 34, Rumson-FH 31 Red Bank Catholic 41, Rumson-FH 31 St. John Vianney 47, Monmouth 30 St. John Vianney 56, Toms River North 47 Red Bank Catholic 48, Marlboro 46 St. John Vianney 39, Marlboro 36 Red Bank Catholic 44, St. John Vianney 39 Red Bank Catholic 62, St. John Vianney 56 St. John Vianney 56, Red Bank Catholic 52 St. John Vianney 45, Red Bank 34 St. John Vianney 59, Red Bank Catholic 45

1996: 1995: 1994: 1993: 1992: 1991: 1990: 1989: 1988: 1987: 1986: 1985: 1984: 1983: 1982: 1981: 1980: 1979: 1978: 1977: 1976: 1975: 1974: 1973: 1972:

St. John Vianney 53, Red Bank Catholic 47 St. John Vianney 61, Red Bank Catholic 55 St. John Vianney 86, Red Bank 46 St. Rose 67, St. John Vianney 57 St. John Vianney 54, St. Rose 50 St. John Vianney 58, Keyport 47 St. John Vianney 59, Toms River East 48 Neptune 79, St. John Vianney 49 Neptune 70, Raritan 48 Neptune 61, Manasquan 46 St. Rose 55, Freehold Twp. 52 Middletown South 50, Neptune 48 Southern 42, Neptune 40 Manasquan 43, Lakewood 36 Neptune 59, Rumson-FH 46 Manasquan 45, Middletown North 35 Freehold Twp. 70, Brick 47 Middletown South 46, Asbury Park 43 Shore 48, Asbury Park 45 Asbury Park 56, Shore 33 Asbury Park 83, Lakewood 56 Asbury Park 51, Toms River South 27 Asbury Park 45, Long Branch 37 (OT) Shore 43, Brick 41 Brick 37, Point Boro 27

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Shore Sports Network Team Today! Interested in joining our team and think you have what it takes to be covering sports in the Shore Conference for Shore Sports Network? We are looking for local writers interested in covering sports like Lacrosse, Baseball, Football, Basketball, Soccer, Swimming, Track, Ice Hockey and more as part of our

newspaper and our website (www.shoresportsnetwork.com). Grab your chance to appear regularly in The Shore Sports Network by-weekly publication and posted on www.shoresportsnetwork.com while helping us recognize more athletes and bring more stories to Shore

Conference sports fans. This is your chance to become a regular contributor to a growing business on the cutting edge of covering sports in Monmouth and Ocean County.

Just contact Managing Editor Scott Stump @ stump@allshoremedia.com

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