You can learn so much about kids in the fall. If you are paying attention to there week to week progression. There are kids that are stepping up and then there are kids creating some separation between them and the others. The stars start looking like stars and new stars emerge. So I know a few things rights now.
I know Ashley KREIGER is the most polished big forward these eyes has ever seen. Her footwork and skills have zero match in the state. But it’s her explosiveness that is so special. Watching her play point forward vs RBC was shocking. She has all the tools.
RBC ABBY STURM has taken full advantage of any minutes she has received this fall. Her personal 7 point run vs RANNEY has to give Coach Montano reason to smile. Now she may not receive big minutes for RBC. But nobody can question her development.
Now, NEPTUNE looks real legit right now. They knocked off Trinity Hall yesterday. But the real story is how they did it. Neptune is quick and athletic. They play with lots of pace and are a very unselfish group. Bree Evans and Christa Ramos are a dynamic backcourt duo. They both score, rebound and put massive pressure on your defense in transition. Neptune may be a Top 10 team.
RBR vs ST. Rose was hard to watch. But what wasn’t hard is watching the rise of Kristen Connor’s. She was sensational last night. This is a kid who has been just waiting for an opportunity. The is fall she is getting that and proving she belongs. She is not just a high percentage shooter, but her post feeding and shot selection are big pluses for RBR.
Manasquan is shaping up as the surprise team of the shore. Despite lacking size. They gang rebound and have a bevy of passers and shooters. Shannon HEINE has been electric all fall. Shannon Looney has been so good on both sides of the ball. That you cannot be excited for the young lady. Olivia Shaughnessy looks like an ALL SHORE 1st Team candidate. This crew has lots of chemistry and tons of talent that is emerging
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MY FIRST TEAM ALL SHORE IS CRYSTAL CLEAR RIGHT NOW… now this is based on last season, the summer and now the fall. Keep in my mind I pay zero attention to the hype game. That bloggers and kids try to use in order to raise their status
ADDY NYMCHEK- RBC – this is a no Brainer
ASHLEY KREIGER- RANNEY– she moves to the top spot as the big big forward in the Shore. Her ride and development is nothing short of amazing
MADISON KOCIS– SJV- now you may not want to give her, the flowers she deserves. But name a player that has stepped up more. She is a PLAYER OF THE YEAR candidate
CHRISTINA LIGGIO– RBC- she has been the most consistent player in the Shore she April. She is flat out just on another level
TAYLOR SOFILKANICH- SJV- now this is strictly based on the summer. She was so spectacular at times it’s impossible to believe she won’t be 1st Team All Shore. Then the reports out of open gym from college coaches are confirming it all.
GRACE FEENEY– Trinity Hall- now this may come as a shock to lots of folks. But all I have to say is look what she did against St. Rose , she dominated them. Then go look at her performance vs RBC. More importantly she may be the MVP of the Hoop Group Fall league. She has been impressive every step of the way without the hype.
MY ALL FRESHMAN TEAM IS JUST IMPOSSIBLE TO PICK RIGHT NOW. The class is so deep and filled with serious gym rats. BUThere are 6 names that are creating a little separation
ARI WISSEN – BRICK – has to be the clubhouse leader for Freshman of the Year
GIANNA SANO– SJV- She is a future D1 lock and All Shore 1st Team player
ANTONIA JACKSON – SJV- easily the most talented player in the freshman class
CALISTA VOWTERAS – MANASQUAN- just so some athletic ability and speed. She is going to be a two way star
KENZIE KLATSKY– MARLBORO- I think 30 points. In a fall League game says it all. 8 threes in a half in a game. She is a walking bucket
CASEY ZAMMIT- HOLMDEL – She may be Holmdel’s 2nd best player. So bounced and creative as a scorer. She will be the next Holmdel D1 players
Think Cassidy Kruesi means the world to St. Rose? Well go watch tonights game without her. St. Rose looks totally different and that’s because she brings the scoring and the D…more importantly she also keeps them out of there bench… now let that sink in.
Now Stapleton had a nice night yesterday in Trinity Hall’s lost to Neptune. She flashed her entire package. She hit threes, got on the glass, roamed in defense and was a real presence all night. That is certainly a good sign for Trinity. More big news is freshman Allison McAndrew returned . She is a FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR Candidate and brings so much talent to the court. She will needs these next few weeks to get back into form..
MY TOP 10 right now is really not that clear. But I will give you a peek at what I’m thinking right now.
1. SJV– this has more to do with RBC than SJV. There are playing a lot of pickup. There are not in a fall league. So you never know how it will look to start the season.
2. RBC– some may think I’m nuts. But the shooting has not been consistent and the passing is spotty to put it kindly. But remember they are still defending even in the fall
3. Manasquan– I like what I see because there untapped talent is emerging . Just about every player in the roster has improved in dynamic fashion. This is rare stuff for any level
4. TRINITY HALL– pay no attention to the fall scores. They are more concerned with there young and inexperienced players getting minutes this fall. They may be getting more out of the fall than any one group
5. St ROSE– I like the offense. Jada Lynch has been sensational from a passing and scoring balancing act. But it’s Brooke and Cassidy Kreusi that have helped them most improve . Because of they are 3 and D Payers. But the real story is right now there are getting little if any production off the bench.
6. RANNEY– they may be the sleeper of all sleeper teams. Once Hayley POSNER returns and Michelle Steele is eligible. The possibilities are unlimited. Lola McRae looks ready right now. She is the classic glue play championship teams need. Peyton Atanes has made a major step forward. She is a major upgrade in the backcourt . Then they have the ultimate Air Craft Carrier in Ashley KREIGER
7. RRR– this group is interesting. They shoot the most threes and are not high percentage shooters. But they are looking better vs pressure. Kristen Connors is looking more and more like a major upgrade to there backcourt issues.
8. NEPTUNE – this surprises me and when they get freshman TY HOWARD back, they become a serious problem. Christa Ramos and Bree Evans leadership has been outstanding
9. HOWELL– there is talent here. But they must find a competitive guard quickly or it’s a good solid season. But they have been there and done that. They need to take the next step to impress
10. BRICK– now this is a big surprise. Now will there be there when the Pre Season poll is released? Who knows because fall ball vs real ball are two different things
FINAL FACTS!
DANIELA MALETSKY is the best dribble drive passer in the SHORE CONFERENCE … her passing skills are vastly underrated. Don’t forget her highly improved and effective stand still free point shooting skills.
The impact of Michelle Steele and Kayden Clark on both RANNEY and Manasquan cannot be put into words steel and Clark were elite last night. The shooting and toughness each bring to the table is BIG and are game changers for both schools
Boy the one things about the fall. It reveals all to those that are watching. You learn what kids have stepped up and which ones have not. Those kids who have personal trainers who are not preforming are really exposed by the film. There is simply no way of running away from the film, because the film don’t lie . Those teams that are claiming all the talk of team bonding but yet lack chemistry on the floor, tells you all you need to know… words are nice but truth always comes knocking.
There are only two more D1 2025’s left on the board . After that it’s a wrap on the D1 conversation for the 2025 class. Meme every year, you reflect back to 3 years ago. You realize the kids who made the right decisions along the way and the ones who did not. You must remember any kid who gets to play at the next level is very lucky. They also have made some sacrifices along the way as well. The only question is did they live up to their potential? You like to hope they did!
MY FALL OUTSTANDING
PLAYER . – Madison Kocis- SJV- best in the state this fall
FRESHMAN – Ari Wissen- BRICK- taking full advantage of her minutes
DEFENSIVE PLAYER – Kayden Clark- MANASQUAN – nobody in her world
MOST IMPROVED- Ashley KREIGER – RANNEY- amazing progress
GYM RAT- Shannon HEINE- MANASQUAN – shows up
Coach- Matt McCarthy- TRINITY HALL- smart use of fall league
BRICK TWP just keeps rolling. Their freshman trio of Ari Wissen, KENDALL FREDRICKSEN and LLYANI POZO have completely changed the culture of the program. They just may be a year ahead of schedule. Because they may be a top 10 team this year. Something nobody could have imagined a year ago. It’s just fall games but beating HOWELL is a serious statement.
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