HERE IS WHAT I KNOW RIGHT NOW!

It’s early but there a few things I know right now. Not just about the Shore but a few thing from around the state. The because the first week of the Shore is revealing so much about players, teams , programs and coaches. The good news is that we have a long way to go and some much can change for everyone; and it usually does.

I know the odds are, at some point, in the State of NJ SJV will lose a game at some point. It may even be a team that nobody expects.Everyone will say there is blood in the water and not that good. But I know this, it will take a combination of SJV having a off day and someone playing out of there, of there mind. That’s because after watching the Top Teams in the state. SJV even at 60% will beat everyone and here is why. COACHING, Dawn Karpell is on a totally different level than everyone else.

I know St. ROSE is the 2nd best team in the Shore. But when they get Tanaiyah Decker back they become the solid #2 team in the Shore and Top 5 team in the state.

I know Trinity Hall is a Top 20 team and Top 5 team in the Shore. I also know they don’t get any respect because they are a new school and program. But the past 3 years they have taken a big each year. Do you NY program outside of SJV that can say that over a three year period? They won a SCT POD, went to the SCT semi final, beat St. Rose and RFH. Lost to RBC in overtime. All in the last 3 years. A program that was everyone’s homecoming game just 4 years ago.

I know after one week who the best baby in the entire state of New Jersey plays at; That would be RBC and her name is ADDY NYMCHECK. But guess what KATIE “K3” LIGGIO has been just as good the last 2 games. Madison Kocis has been rock solid and won MVP at the Super games. Jada Lynch showed she could dominate against RFH.

Player of The Year is going to be a 2 horse race. They’ll be a few pretenders but this award is going to come down to Nina Emance and Zoe Brooks. Devyn Quigley will put up big numbers but too bad for her , his team won’t win enough for serious consideration. She will get all the Ocean votes and maybe a few votes from media types. I know this, if you don’t get to a game to watch Quigley you have no idea what you’re missing.

Speaking of Defensive Player of the Year. We can put a wrap on that. Last year Nina Emance was 1st Team All Defense. This year she’ll be DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

MANASQUAN looks like a team on a mission. Olivia Shaughnessy is doing what we expectedly last year. Katie Collins is stuffing the box score. McKenna Karlson is proving she is a future D1 player. HOPE MASONIUS is acting like she is First Team All Shore

I know Gil Bernard lost to St. Rose. But they have a big upside. Once there young talented guards, learn how to use there bigs and play inside/out. They could be a danger to all. Stellar Lockhart I just love and college coached trust me, you didn’t get a real taste of what they kid can do, you be wise to come back and see her again later in the year.

RUTGERS PREP gave one away to Morris Catholic this weekend. But trust me they are a team even SJV has to know has all the tools. Makayla Blakes is a Top 20 player in the 2024 class in the country, at least in my eyes. But more importantly a #1 person in the country in terms of class and goodness to all. ZAHRA ALEXANDER is the real deal and a future D1 impact type kid. She can play either side of the ball. As a BIG EAST asst Coach said Sunday…”she can guard her ass off” The kid is a warrior. KATIE LEDDEN has improved so much it really is amazing and nice to see, the young lady is going to have a monster season #FACT. She gotten stronger and has rounded put her game. CHLOE ESCANILLAS is just a program kid with big talent. I have no idea how if your in the IVY or PATRIOT League you could pass on this kid. They have a mega talented freshman, I’m not sure of name, but not real sure of her name but I love her goggles. Gigi Battle had moments and it just a matter of time.

https://twitter.com/HoopGroupHQ/status/1599422718763732992?s=20

I know if your not encouraging your kids to attend this event. Your a phony, why? Because for 4 days a kid can get in a competitive environment and get growth. A week of camp is a month of training. This is something very hard to find in the winter. Kids get a road map and a big head start but somebody has to lead them to the right events. Parents don’t kid yourself, this is a great event for freshman and JV non swing players as well

WHEN Jackson Memorial plays TRN and it’s really to find out who is going to rule Ocean County. The most talented player in Ocean just may be Megan Sias and she plays for TRN.

Erin Reid, Abby Boyle and Ella Mason may hold the key to RUMSONS season. The three players each bring something different to the table. Mason is a deadly shooter, Boyle athletic and a rebounder. Reid is elevates the RFH talent level. Now the question is can you lose two home games(the fort is there 2nd home). Then you work you way back to the light against elite teams. When you have Corsentino anything g is possible, just like last year…RFH WILL TRY AND RUN IT BACK.

Morris Catholic are seeking the spotlight and after watching them. They are certainly fun to watch on and off the court. They put on a show and it works for them. Mia Pauldo is so talented and gifted. She is going to be a POY candidate…THIS YEAR! Her twin sister Mya along with Danielle Matus give Mia a nice surroundings cast in the backcourt. Natalie Stoupakis and Alexis Rosenfield round out the starting five. This team can play with anyone. They have the talent, the desire, mental toughness and play the game as a unselfish group. They are a team, that plays team ball, and that I know. There just a fun team and bring so much more to the game to the table… I think we call it EXCITEMENT.

MONTCLAIR IMMACULATE suspending there coach Jimmy Kreie is a DAM joke. In fact the Montclair kids deserve a big clap on the back. Go watch the video of there game vs Caldwell, you won’t believe some of the fouls in that game. Not once did a Montclair kid respond. BRAVO TO THOSE KIDS AND THE MONTCLAIR COACHING STAFF. Now let me tell you what your won’t see, anyone coming to the defense of the Montclair staff and their coach. Do you know why? Because until it happens to your. It’s someone else is problem.

This is a total disgrace what is going on with this coach, his team, parents and school. They deserve better!

I know Allison Cannon. Is getting ready to have a big year. She can score, defend, pass and rebound at a elite level from. The guard position.

The Trinity Hall babies have been better than anyone could have dreamed of to this point. Grace Feeney, Whitney Hobson, Teagan Drennan and Nimh Stapleton have given Trinity Hall a major upgrade in talent.

Ocean Twp is playing Donovan Catholic who is ranked #8 in the Asbury Park Press Top 10. Ocean has Betton back but Janeen Ayyash will not be a go until the end of the week. Then it’s game on for Ocean. Eli Clark and Kayden Clark are on the ALL SHORE CONVERSION.

Emma Thornton of Barnegat is putting up crazy numbers. She is unknown because like a lot of Ocean kids, she doesn’t play high level AAU or train in competitive environments. But make no mistake the sophomore can play and when Riley Fitzpatrick shows up, Barnegat is going to be different and scary for Ocean teams.

What do schools Donovan Catholic and Manchester prove? It’s not easy to build a sustained powerhouse like RBC, SJV, MANASQUAN and ST. ROSE.

UP TO MINUTE ALL SHORE

ZOE BROOKS (POY)- SJV

NINA EMANCE – TRINITY

JANIE BACHMANN- SJV

DEVYN QUIGLEY- MANCHESTER

JULIA CORSENTINO- RFH

MAGGIE CAVANAUGH- ST. ROSE

Thursday at Manasquan vs St. Rose. This is going to be a war. I miss that it’s not the first and last game of year. That was kind of fun way to start and end the season. I would get there early if you want a good seat. St. Rose will need to be at it’s best if they hope to get a win. Just do me a favor regardless of who wins, don’t use the word upset.

Two teams that are in a strange place right now. RBR lost by 40 to Chatham, we have not seen RBR treated this way since John Turhan arrived. In fact, I don’t think we have ever seen a John Truhan team treated with such disrespect. All there problems start in the same place it did last year, in the backcourt. WALL yesterday vs St Rose simply couldn’t take care of the ball. Both RBR and WALL need to get back to the drawing board, that was not a good look for either!

UP TO MINUTE ALL FRESHMAN TEAM

*All I know is that whoever makes all freshman is a accomplishment.

ADDY NYMCHECK (FOY) – RBC

KATIE LIGGIO- RBC

MADISON KOCIS- SJV

JADA LYNCH- ST. ROSE

TEAGAN DRENNAN- TRINITY HALL

TESSA LIGGIO- RBC

What the most dangerous thing in high school basketball? Thats easy, taking away minutes from seniors or changing their role as seniors. They either adjust or become poison. Trust me there is no in between, this I know. Guess what? High school coaches know as well. Well folks not everyone is Dawn Karpell and Joe Montano that can stand up to parents and kids. Young coaches are not that lucky and sometimes get crushed by this and often it leads to two things a bad season and parents out of control.

Had a college coach ask if there were any gym rats in the 2027 class? My answer ,we will find out in the next few weeks. Anyone notice which freshman are playing? While some are not. Those not playing will blame it on upper-Classman being ahead of them or say next year there will be room.. folks if that freshman put the work, in against older more physical competition. Then they are playing, there are no mistakes just reasons and it starts with parents wanting to make there kid smile by not putting pressure on them daily in the gym. Hiding from truth and thinking politics will earn them time …hard to smile when your on the bench, you may want to pay attention and learn 2027’s.

Ella Kreuzer I know is one of the best best players in the 2025 class period. But what folks don’t understand is her teammates Mia Semioli is also a D1 player. Chatham is going to rise in the state poll. When talent meets good coaching watch out. These two are the perfect players to build your culture around.

The best thing that has happened to Tessa Carman is the RBC babies. Why? They force her to bring it every minute. That’s because playing time at RBC is not easy for anyone to find these days. Nothing like a little competition in household motivate a kid.

The WOBM begins next week and there are some good early round match ups. This event has always been one if my favorites. The college players show up to see old teammates and everyone’s seems to always be in good spirits.

MEGAN GENTILE is back on the court after a year. It didn’t take the future D1 guard long to let it be known, she going to be a problem. She opened the season with 10 points 7 rebounds and 4 dimes… here is PSA for coaches. I know this kid is a impact player at the next level