2025-26 “B” NORTH. PREVIEW
Today we preview B NORTH. This may be the most competitive division in the Shore Conference. This division is all about up and coming teams. They’re a number of D1 players in the division as well as top flight coaches who have won SCT CHIPS. This division could see a number of teams knocking each other off throughout the year.
THE FAVORITE
TRINITY HALL
COACH: MATT McCARTHY
Trinity Hall brings back a core of seniors who have helped build Trinity into a Top 5 team in the Shore over the pass 4 years. ALL 4 are battle tested and have played on big stages. They are big, strong and long. This year they hope to take a final step and compete for a SCT title. But first they will need to survive getting through B NORTH. This will not be an easy task. Trinity added an impact freshman and are hoping for the return of Teagan Drennan a proven scorer and rebounder before she was injured and missed last season. This could be the year TRINITY HALL FINALLY GETS OVER THE HUMP.
THE LINEUP:
GRACE FEENEY- SR- FORWARD- The D1 Bucknell University bound FEENEY is the backbone of the team. She will not only carry the scoring load but look for her to play the role of facilitator as well. She is one of the 10 best players in the conference. Trinity is going nowhere without Grace Feeney.
WHITNEY HOBSON- SR- COMBO- Coach Matt McCarthy will put the ball in Hobson’s hands as often as possible. She will run the show. The Emory bound senior will most certainly look to score more this year. She is a tough defender and has been in all the wars over the years. Trinity will need a big year from her if they’re going to get over the hump.
NIAMH STAPLETON- SR- FOWARD- She is the heart and soul of the team. She does all the dirty work. She rebounds in traffic and is an outstanding defender. The Tufts University bound Stapleton has proven she can step away from the basketball and score or post up. She is an excellent passer. She will not back down to anyone. She is highly confident and has matched up against the best of the best. She has no fear and Trinity will count in her all season to set the tone.
TEAGAN DRENNAN-5’10”- SWING- She missed all of last season. She is a former FIRST TEAM ALL FRESHMAN MEMBER. Teagan is a proven scorer when healthy and an excellent offensive rebounder. If she returns to old form it is a massive shot in the arm for Trinity and certainly gives them a better chance to take the next step.
LYLA LU – Soph- COMBO- Lyla was a surprise last season as she saw major minutes in big games. She is an excellent defender and brings real quickness and energy to the table. She could find herself in the starting lineup as she started in the teams first scrimmage.
BREE KORCH- SR- FORWARD- She has been around for 4 years and knows what is expected. Bree is a excellent shooter and will be ready if called upon.
O’MALLEY ELDRIDGE -JR – SWING- saw limited minutes last year and hopes to make a contribution this year.
THE FRESHMAN
ELLA KRYAL- 5’10”- COMBO- She will make an immediate impact. She is the leading candidate for freshman of the year.. She is a deadly shooter and excellent passer. She is a high IQ player and a gym rat There is no question she brings additional scoring and playing making to the table. She could be the missing piece for TRINITY HALL
ANNA NOBLE- 5’6”- GUARD- Tough hard nosed player. She could have a big future one day.
GIANNA SCHOOR- 5’9”- GUARD- She is a excellent shooter shooter and will be counted on in the future to bring scoring and rebounding
KATHERINE MCCARTHY- 5’8”- SWING- She is a high IQ player with off the charts passing skills. She is a improving shooter and may be able to contribute before the season is over.
WHAT TO EXPECT?
TRINITY HALL will run its offense though GRACE FEENEY. But they will once again run the flex offense to try to get everyone involved. Ella KRYAL will certainly provide additional scoring. Hobson will run the show. Stapleton will bring a physical presence. Trinity will once again play hard nose tough half court defense. They force opponents to grind and they gang rebound.
THE QUESTIONS?
Have they improved as a group? They spent lots of time together as a group. But did their grow? Where is the bench? It’s impossible to beat SJV or RBC without a bench
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
A B NORTH CHIP would be a nice going away present for the Trinity Hall seniors. But the real goal for this group is to make it to the SCT FINALS and let the chips fall where they may. I say they have an excellent chance of doing exactly this. While they may lack gym rats. This is a highly competitive and prideful group.
THE CONTENDERS
COLTS NECK– This is a up and coming group. They start the year ranked in the Top 10. They have a group of emerging players. Their off season player development has been nothing short of dynamic. They have scorers up and down the roster and have the perfect point guard to get them the ball. Future D1 point guard EMILY DONAHUE is simply the best passing point guard to enter the Shore in years. Her vision and timing is immaculate. She is the backbone of the team and everything starts with her. JULIANNA JASINA was simply a beast last year. The undersized post player was eventually unstoppable at times. She was name the SHORE SPORTS NETWORK FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR. She is workhorse on the boards. Junior Mattilyn Caffiero (5.8 ppg., 3.2 rpg., 2.1 apg., 2.2 spg.), Senior Gabriella Bryce (4.5 ppg., 4.6 rpg.) are proven scorers and more importantly are capable of explosive nights. Both are confident and have been around. AVERY WALLACE is the forgotten one. But make no mistake she can score in a variety of ways. She also is a lockdown defender. Finally the biggest boost of all to this team was the addition of Sophomore Transfer Allison McAndrew. Future D1 guard McANDREW is knocking on the door to stardom. She brings a Swiss knife game to the table. She is a three level scorer, and gets on the glass. She fill lanes in transition and is mega competitive. COLTS NECK is deep, much improved and have a HALL OF FAME COACH in Nick Russo who has won everything in his career to show them the way. They believe they can win B NORTH.
HOWELL is another Top 10 Team in the division. They are another up and coming team. KYLEE BEAM is a future D1 player and a force. She can dominate a game inside or out. She also is a next level defender. She plays her best against the best. She had a rock star fall preseason. She will have her eyes on the division POY. BELLAROSE MARINO is a true scorer as she can knock down three’s but also get to the basket. The senior has been in big games and has made big plays. There is no doubt who the heart and soul of this team is. PEYTON SMITH is a flat out warrior and winner. She will set the tone both on offense and and defense. She is an extension of a coach on the floor. Everything for Howell starts with Peyton Smith. OLIVIA QUINONES got spot minutes last year. That is about to change. She is much improved and will add real scoring and ball handling. She will have a breakout season no doubt. Junior Zoe Ficorelli could provide so additional help off the bench. She defends and is a very capable shooter. Coach Joe Santopietro has his program cooking. This is a deep and talented deep. They also have won some big games in recent years. Now the question is can they take the next step. The “B” NORTH TITLE would be a step in the right direction.
ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN
WALL will try to sneak up on one of the contenders. HOLMDEL has a puncher’s chance chance each night with CASEY ZAMMIT.… RANNEY has a new coach and a few transfers so they may surprise someone. None of these teams can win B NORTH. But they can ruin a contenders chances.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS
This division is going to be a war. Each of the contenders have weaknesses. I believe nobody is going to cruise through the division. Winning on your home court will be very important as well as who can handle pressure the best late in games.
MY PICK
This is a tough one. You have experience teams, young and up and coming teams. All are very capable of winning the division. But I say never bet against seniors… I SAY TRINITY HALL WINS B NORTH!
