SMILING FACES ON OPENING NIGHT….

The opening weekend of High School basketball kicked off with a bang and SHORE FANS were not disappointed. Two heavyweights got things started. Manasquan and Rumson were both were missing major parts of their arsenal and for at least one night it didn’t seem to matter. In end the Manasquan guards decision making and shot making was the difference.

ST, ROSE PASSES A TOUGH TEST

 20 points in win over Franklin

“All I have to say is MARKHAM”..QUOTE FROM A COLLEGE COACH

St. Rose got a much needed early season TEST against a talented Franklin team. MIKAYLA  MARKHAM  picked up where she left off LAST YEAR as one of of the best young guards in the sate with a 2o points and 7 rebounds.  Ellyn Stoll showed coaches and fans that she is ready to join the short list of  Shore Elite players wih 16 points, which included 5 three’s and three dimes. Lost in all this was Jen Louo’s 7 rebounds and 6 assists…it not just about points folks!  But a bigger story may be the surprise contributions from senior Kayla Dillinger and jr. Alex Pendergrass. Both have spent most of their careers in limited roles but yesterday showed they can be counted on; in St. Rose’s win in a battle of Top 20 teams. 

BABY POWER

 19 points, 10 rebounds and 3 assists in WOBM 

The Shore freshman class started out with a bang and lived up to the hype and more. Lola Mullaney gave the shore faithful a peek into the future with a show stopping 19 point performance in the WOBM. Tom River North’s Jenna Paul averaged 15.5 point this weekend in her debut and Brielle Bisogno had a debut that would make anyone blush. Bisogno had 23 point, 7 rebounds and 5 dimes to open her career at TRN.

WALL PUTS UPS A WALL

The biggest upset of opening weekend belonged to Wall who knocked off the #10th ranked Shore team Donovan Catholic, who was in survival mode all weekend. Donovan Catholic won a 23-20 game against Barnaget. But could not survive the performance of Lauren Karabin who had 15 points in Wall’s overtime win.

“Allen made her 32 points yesterday look easy. Not sure I have seen a better finisher at the hoop in YEARS”… quote from Division 1 assistant coach

“This Allen kid may be the best player I have seen all year”…Quote SEC assistant coach

The biggest story of weekend was the performance of Dezzy Allen of Neptune. In Neptune’s two wins Allen showed why she just may be the most dominate player in the Shore Conference if not  the state. She opened the season with a blistering 36 point, 15 rebound, 7 steal game. Then backed that up with a sizzling 32 point performance against Fenway of Boston.  Allen averaged 33.5 points and had college coaches scrambling to be part of what is sure to become one of the biggest recruiting frenzy’s of the year. Neptune went 2-0 for the weekend and is making a real case to be ranked in the Top 20, which at some point is sure to happen.

1. – They get their first test early against RFH tonight. No Crouch, Campbell and Urbie is out for the year. The dream of a Triple Crown is in serious jeopardy.

2. – road win against then #3 in the state RFH. Lisa Kukoda proving to be a tough customer on the sidelines. They have a real case to be #1

3. – No Lesko and now possible no Scanlon who showed real grit and toughed it out Friday. Team chemistry looks in check…now its about survival. 

4. – They will be on cruise control until Jan 31th and have a great chance to work out any kinks. The bench is deeper than anyone expected.

5. – Their babies are getting important mins and more importantly there 2 sport players get to work off the rust

6. – Hayley Moore is gearing up for what looks like a special  year. Two cupcake games too start..up next an improved Wall team

7. – Desi ALLEN PLAYER OF YEAR? But Brianna Love could be the key in the end. Amazing how every year John Brown gets his team ready.

8.   Elsie Brown again under the radar doing big things. Lola Mullaney living up to the hype…BIG TIME! Carla Vople gets points and 7 rebounds in season open revenge win against Long Branch. Amanda Hunt KILLING THEM softly  8 point and 6 rebounds… This could be a dream season.

9. .  Bianca Nicolini with 21 on opening night, Colleen Brady is ready to bust out, with 11 points and 8 rebounds against Middle township in a lost. We will give them the benefit of he doubt until D1 POST PLAYER Gabby Davis returns…BUT NO MORE SLIP UP LADIES!

10. – Welcome to the party! Knocks off Central Reg..2-0 and its looks like, they look like the CLEAR B SOUTH favorite. Next stop a big dog named RBC

COACH OF THE WEEK– Lisa Kukoda- Manasquan

  Right now is there anyone better on a big stage? Managed her team perfectly despite foul trouble and a thin bench. She has made a living in her career at winning big games on big stages. She is a master at finding ways to stretch her roster.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK– Dezzy Allen- Neptune

 She is a the nuclear weapon that causes mass destruction. The early club house leader for Player of the year. Allen right now is leading her team right into the Top 20

ROOKIE OF THE WEEK– Brielle Bisogno- Tom River North

 The Toms River North guard lived up to the hype in a big time way with 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in her debut. She then followed that up with 17 points  in the first round lost to Middlesex powerhouse Sayreville…anymore questions?

TEAM OF THE WEEK– Manasquan–

  They went on the road and defeated Rumson. While many are quick to point to the fact the Stephanie Lesko did not play. Everyone seems to forget that Victoria Galvan was not on the floor for the Warriors. With the win Manasquan is in real position to take the #1 in the Shore with all the injuries suffered by SJV.

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RULE UPDATE-

Many are asking about the referee ruling in the Manasquan/ RFH game that took place in the 3rd quarter that I wrote about. Here is what took place…

.There was a loose ball that appeared Nicole Morris was about to pick up. As Morris moved toward the ball, the referee inexplicably  picked up the ball. She instantly realized she had made a mistake and dropped the ball immediately…THE BALL THEN ROLLED OUT OF BOUNDS, at which point the referee said that Manasquan had last possession of the ball and the referee is part of the game. In most cases this would have been the proper call. But in fact the Referee PICKED UP THE BALL and then dropped it after realizing the innocent mistake. The rule is crystal clear once any referee picks up a ball in play, the ball is DEAD AND YOU MUST GO TO THE ARROW.

Holiday Break Hoop Fest-…great event parents!