This weeks Top 10 has “NO MOVEMENT” for the first time. The weekly awards were the toughest choices to date. This past weekend MAY have been the most exciting weekend, we have this year. We got to see a terrific battle between RFH and Manasquan and on the same night we had the traditional SJV vs Christ the King game. Then on Sunday we had the Coaches Choice Showcase at Holmdel High School, where St. Rose and Long Island Lutheran played a game for the ages…
WEEK 7 TOP TEN RANKING-
the money crew was on the MONEY all WEEK!
1- SJV– Another quality win added to the resume, with win over CTK
2- St. ROSE– right now is anyone playing better?
3- MANASQUAN– played there best game of the year vs RFH…true team effort.
4. RUMSON– Chemistry is improving and Seniors Stant, Sabino and Mayfield are turning it up
5. NEPTUNE– Bacon and Allen just keep rolling along under the radar, just the way Coach Brown likes it.
6. MIDDLETOWN SOUTH– lost to #1 team in the state
7. SOUTHERN– We are going to learn more about them on Wednesday
8. RBC– Alex Barazotti and Josie Larkins have been great…the babies are getting better and prays for Joe Montano’s family
9. DONAVON CATH– They keep winning the games they are suppose to..
10. MARLBORO– To stay here they will need a good showing this week..
WEEKLY AWARDS
PLAYER OF THE WEEK-
JESS LOURO- ST. ROSE-SENIOR
It becoming an old story for Miss Louro who seems to play her best games against the best teams. She was dominate on Sunday against the #1 team in the Tri-State area. In St. Rose’s win over Long Island Lutheran she had 26 points 8 rebounds and 4 assists
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK-
DARA MABREY-MANASQUAN
She was special all night for Manasquan, starting with her 3 point basket to close the first quarter to her outstanding passing to Victoria Galvan in the 4th quarter. On top of that it was she that prevented Sid Sabino of having any chance of getting a three point shot off to tie the game..Mabrey is having a dream freshman season. Her final stats vs RFH…12 points, 4 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals…that called showing up in real games.
COACH OF THE WEEK-
LISA KUKODA- MANASQUAN
The baby faced and humble Lisa Kukoda put on a clinic on Friday against RFH. She was brilliant out of time outs with her offensive sets that caught RFH off guard all night. Her changing man/man defenses and insightful match-ups were masterful as Manasquan defeated RFH in a barn burner…where every little edge matters.
TEAM OF THE WEEK
There all smiles!
ST. ROSE
For the 2nd week in a row Joe Whalen’s team gets the honor. All his team did was knock off the best team in the Tri-State area, Long Island Lutheran. This was one of the biggest out of Conference wins in years for a Shore team in years. His team continues to pile up quality wins and force critics to scramble for new ways to discount them. They are the hottest team in the Shore Conference. They have a real case for #1
SURPRISE PLAYER OF THE WEEK-( two winners)
JANAE MAYFIELD- RUMSON- SENIOR
Janae Mayfield’s 3rd quarter performance against Manasquan proved she is more than a defensive player. Mayfield took over the game in the 3rd with shooting, passing and defense. She brought out her full arsenal and almost single handily helped RFH run away from Manasquan. She had ten points and countless assist in her breakout performance
Victoria is becoming at star
VICTORIA GALVAN- MANASQUAN- SOPHOMORE
This is no longer a surprise, as Galvan is becoming a star in her own right. Her two three point plays late against RFH was the difference in the victory. Then she came back on Sunday against NY ranked Molloy and had another big night….Galvan is making a real case for the season ending most improved award….she’s been brilliant.
MY THOUGHTS ON THE TOP 10/WEEKLY AWARDS
St. Rose has a real case to be #1
Now some are saying St. Rose should be #1, those people have a good case and I have no problem with their passion. Last year I felt that St. Rose should have been seeded first in the SCT because they beat SJV in head to head competition. They have not played SJV to date, so I go to quality wins and SJV has played a monster schedule. There lone loss to Franklin is a product of playing top flight competition every week…at some point you are going to lose a game when you play that type of schedule. Some are asking why Holmdel is not ranked anymore…It simple they needed to be more competitive in the heavy weight games. You cannot get credit for simply playing top teams. Some point to the fact that teams ranked 7-10 would have lost big as well and I agree…But the fact of the matter is those teams DID NOT PLAY THOSE TEAMS…
She had a great week!
This was a tough week to pick the WEEKLY AWARD winners. Marina Mabrey was outstanding all weekend. She had 28 points against RFH and on Sunday had 20 points vs Molloy. But if truth be told she could make a case for this award each week.
The Freshman of the week could have gone in many directions. Elizabeth “lovings” Marsicano was big time against Long Island Lutheran with 8 points and 6 rebounds. Makayla Markham was flat off the charts on Sunday; against two of the best senior guards (both signed at D1 schools) she may face all year. Then there was Haley Moore of RBC who averaged 12.5 points a game this week.Yesterday against Moore Catholic she had 14 points. All made great cases for baby of the week.
Finally Joe Whalen was super against Long Island Lutheran, nobody prepares their team better and has the trust of his players the way Joe Whalen does. Whalen is a master teacher on both sides of the ball and his team can play any style thrown at them.