You never know when a kid is going to hit there stride. You can try and predict when it may happen, but there is no exact time table. Each player regardless of their talent has to go though the this rite of passage. Each  kid has a there own time table as well. Some hit their stride early than others. For others it comes later. JUNIOR SHANNON LONNEY of Manasquan, it seems has not only hit her stride. But she has found a brand new level of success in the process of doing so. 

Shannon Looney is a quiet kid who doesn’t have a lot to say. She is very unassuming in many ways. This is why watching her blossom into a fantastic 2 way guard is so fascinating. You see Shannon Looney has always had talent since the day she entered high school. She was quick and elusive. She could really shoot the ball and had a wonderful feel for the game. What she did not have was physical strength. She was very immature physically. So when she entered St. Rose as a freshman she was very skilled but had not hit her growth spurt. So when she transferred home to Manasquan, she lacked experience and strength. So last season she played very little. In fact it may have seemed Shannon Looney was going to be on the outside looking in. It appeared her basketball dreams were headed for the graveyard. A place filled with dead dreams. But a funny thing happened to Shannon Looney in the last 6 months. She hit her stride and growth spurt at the same time.

When you don’t get extended minutes, it’s easy to quit, make excuses and move on. Shannon Looney could have chosen rhese options. But instead she did the hard thing, searched for a  answer. She found the answer in the CJ HAWKS organization. She found a coach in Randy Westrol, that let her grow. Who was okay with her her playing a major role. That knew, he had a player with untapped talent. Randy Westbrook allowed Shannon Looney to develop real confidence. Not the fake confidence that crumbles against real competition.  He allowed Shannon Looney to grow into her body and her game. It’s why these days, Shannon Looney is dripping with confidence every time she walks on the court.  It’s why now College  Coaches are going to discover Shannon Looney this year. You see Shannon Looney found the right inner circle in the CJ HAWKS and took full advantage of her opportunity.

Shannon Looney’s tool box is filled with goodies these days. She has made a massive jump as a player. This year she will play a major role role for Manasquan. These days she is a hardened player. That’s because she has had to walk a tough road to arrive to this moment. She has had to pay the price to be where she is today.  But I believe it is the best thing that has happened to her. That’s because nothing can put her on her heels. She knows what it’s like, to have to wait your turn or worse not get an opportunity. She knows what it’s like to work hard when there are no promises, guarantees or sugar daddies out there to promote and politic for you. Shannon Looney has got to this point by doing it the old fashion way… SHE HAS EARNED IT.

I remember when Shannon Looney came to NBS a few years ago. She was shy and uncomfortable in the environment, it was not her cup of tea. Kids don’t always fit into every environment. But what  I remember most about her, was this, one word  “DETERMINATION“. She was not afraid to fight and she”NEVER” gave up or gave in at any point. She had a  quite competitive nature. The type coaches love when it comes to building a culture. Shannon Looney has a winning attitude to go along with a boat load of talent. See there is a lesson here for so many kids. That lesson is  

never give up. Because you never know when you will hit your growth spurt or stride. SHANNON LOONEY has hit hers and the timing could not be any better because she is cooking these days!