Some kids are just winners. Their family are winners and everyone around them, loves them. This is the best way to describe Riley Fitzpatrick. She always has a smile and always seems to make everyone around her feel good. Now it time for her to make herself feel good. That’s because Barnegat’s star guard is off to Stockton University to continue her college basketball career. While it’s a time for joy and celebration, make no mistake Riley Fitzpatrick had to earn her to to Stockton State University. She had to have tough skin, mental toughness and take a few chances along the way. They say nothing earned is nothing gained, well if that’s the case. Riley Fitzpatrick has gained a ton. But on the flip side, make no mistake STOCKTON UNIVERSITY HAS GAINED A LOT AS WELL. They have gained a player who is a great teammate, person and one heck of a basketball player.
When you play at schools without a big name, college coaches don’t flock to your games. It’s easy to blame your high schools’ lack of exposure for your dream not coming true. But Riley Fitzpatrick refuse to do this because she has always challenged herself. It why she has played at the highest level of AAU. Why she went to a Top 10 school out of high school. You see Riley Fitzpatrick has always taken on challenges. When she was a freshman she played on the talented Shoreshots 2025 team. Then she went to St. Rose high school to play for master coach Mary Beth Chambers. These things in many ways was expected. But things don’t always go as expected. Riley Fitzpatrick decided to leave St. Rose and return home to Barnegat. Then she decided to leave the 2025 Shoreshots and play for a new AAU team. See these were hard choices for Riley Fitzpatrick. But Riley has never had a problem making hard choices. That’s because she has always believed in herself regardless of what others thought. She knew college coaches wouldn’t line the court to watch her play at Barnegat. She knew leaving the Shoreshots will be risky and hurt her exposure. But Riley knew what was best for her. She also is so well liked by everyone, that all her peers and coaches rooted hard for her success and never stop loving her, when she left. It’s not easy to walk away from some of the things Riley walked away from. She walked away from hype and being part of the in crowd. But Riley Fitzpatrick has never cared about these things. She knows what it’s like to be on the inside and the outside. She has seen ugly and she has seen good. All this has made her stronger, better and most importantly comfortable as she takes a new journey on her way to Stockton State.
Now what most people don’t know is this, Riley Fitzpatrick has never stopped training with the best. She never stopped playing against the best. She still played a wonderful brand of basketball in the summer. You seen Riley Fitzpatrick, is a worker and a person who doesn’t take shot cuts. It’s just we don’t talk about me. How many people know she had 344 points and 137 rebounds last season? How many people know she had a 28 point game last year? How many people know one the best D3 schools in the country recruited her before she settled on Stockton University? How many people realize her CJ HAWKS TEAM was the biggest surprise of the summer. A team that took on everyone and had the 2025 Shoreshots team beat, before losing a in a great game. You see nothing has changed about Riley Fitzpatrick, she is just getting things done in a different way. Then again Riley has never been like everyone else. Nothing has “EVER” been given to her. As I said earlier, she has earned everything. She has made every sacrifice a kid can make. More importantly, she and her family have done it without walking over dead bodies. They got where there are today but rooting for others and being the type that never minded sharing the spotlight.
It funny but good people seem to always find good people. Riley Fitzpatrick found Tammy Nicolini, when she needed her most. A coach that welcomed her back with open arms. A coach that gave her a platform to shine and have a new start, a healthy start. A place where a kid could feel at ease and smile. Then Riley found Randy Westrol and his CJ Hawks program. It was like a dream come true for Riley Fitzpatrick. Along with Lou Paolillo, Randy has guided Riley to greatness this summer. The truth of the matter is the CJ Hawks just may run the best program in the Shore in terms of kids having a healthy drama free environment. Randy allowed Riley and her teammates to soar to heights none of them or anyone else could have possibly thought was possible. They are tied to the hip forever. The will never forget the experience they shared together and what it has led too…STOCKTON UNIVERSITY!
Parents, matter and they know all too well the pain that comes with a kid playing sports. It can be ugly, unfair and downright heart breaking at times. Riley Parents have had to wipe away tears. Not just the ones rolling down their daughter face, but there’s as well. They have been a rock for Riley, they have stood by her every step of the way. You see we hear these words all the time when a kid makes a dream come true. But in the case of Riley, her parents, Brain and Janine needed to be strong for her. They needed to be warriors for their daughter, though family health issues, social issues and disappointments. But here is Riley today, coming clean out on the other side shinning like a bright light. The Fitzpatrick’s have the road map for any parent with a child whose back is up against the wall. Who isn’t always treated right or protected. They now have the answer not just for Riley but for all parents who want to fight the good battle for their kids. Because in the end it gets a sweet as it gets…just ask the FITZPATRICK FAMILY!
So mission is accomplished, but it’s not the end for Riley. If you know anything about Riley, she is just getting started. She will work harder now than ever. She will do what she always has done. Light up the gym with her personality, while being one of the most positive kids in the gym. She’ll clap, cheer and yes talk too much. She make sure everyone is laughing and having fun. That’s because Riley Fitzpatrick is a giver first and now she will be giving STOCKTON UNIVERSITY ALL THAT TALENT AND GOODNESS!…..
CONGRATS TO RILEY FITZPATRICK …STOCKTON JUST GOT LUCKY!
RILEY FITZPATRICK OFFICIAL VIDEO….STAY!
