NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL was known as a girls basketball powerhouse for years. In fact John Brown’2011 is the best team to ever roam the Shore. But in recent years the private schools has raided his talent. So much that it’s been hard to win a chip in well over 10 years. Well on Friday night that all changed. Led by two seniors and what many believe is the most talented freshman in the state. NEPTUNE WONS IT FIRST sectional chip in 14 years.
In a time of kids running from challenges. Christa Ramos and Bre Evan’s are different. Christa Ramos transferred back to Neptune for her sophomore year. Bre Evans never left. There were good times and rough times over their 3 years together. They no doubt faced that challenge that all kids with their talent face. Stick around and build something or take the easy road and go somewhere where everything is already picture perfect. The two seniors decided to build their own kingdom and Friday part one of the mission was accomplished.
SENIORS!
Bre Evan’s and Christina Ramos made every big shot and play a senior can make on Friday night. Bre Evans buzzer beater to end the 3rd quarter was massive. It gave NEPTUNE Momentum and more importantly, the lead going into the fourth quarter. She was dynamic and scoring 16 big points.. All Christa Evans did was match RBR from the three point line whenever they tried to make a run. Then she played the role of closer and made free throw after free throw to ice the game. She cool under pressure and gave Neptune a real presents that they could lean on. Both seniors were special.
TY HOWARD spent much of her freshman year out with an injury. But since she has returned. She has lived up to all the hype. She is the most talented player to wear a Neptune uniform since Top 10 ranked Sy Davis. Friday, she was spectacular as she dominated the game. She was so spectacular that she turned the RBR gym against the home team at times. That’s because fans love an exciting player. Ty Howard did more than score 20 points. She entertained an audience an electrified a gym. When she went to the bench NEPTUNE feel apart and lost a 11 point lead. But when she retuned in the 2nd half. She seemed to make every big play on both sides of the ball. She was the difference in the game.
John Brown doesn’t get the credit of a Joe Montano or Dawn Karpell. But make no mistake he is one of the three best coaches in the Shore Conference. His teams are always prepared and play hard. Friday night he took the RBR players and coaching staff on a little coaching tour. He mixed up his pressure on defense. He knew RBR struggled with post passing. So in the all important 4th quarter his guards turned up the heat on the RBR guards and he fronted a dominating Caroline Polloway. The result was turnover after turnover on post entry passes. Then coach Brown got tricky by turning his press on and off. RBR was totally unprepared for this sneaky little piece of masterful coaching. Then when RBR made the biggest mistake of the evening by leaving Synai Blychanton in the game with 4 fouls. She picked up her 5th with 7 minutes to go in the game.As stunned RBR fans looked on in disbelief. Coach Truhan was looking for his team to bail him out as he had done so many times for them. They would be no bail out. Because coach Brown’s crew, he elite shot selection and ball movement. In the end we saw Neptune players and fans celebrating their with there new shiny trophy. The RBR fans, coaches and players felt John Brown all night.
Nothing was easy for Neptune along the way. First they went on the road and beat upstart Colts Neck. Then they went on the road and beat the #1 seed Westhampton. Then Friday they knocked out the #2 seed RBR on the road. It’s been a wonderful ride. John Brown may have done his best coaching job this year. The Neptune players have stuck together. Bre Evans and Christa Ramos, started all this and now are reaping the benefits. They have not been given their flowers over the years. The Shore isn’t a place that likes to crown girls of color. But that’s alright with the two seniors … because today THEY ARE CHAMPIONS … and they have earned it!