ABIGAIL AND ROSE DWYER… MANASQUAN’S TWIN JEWELS…
There is nothing special about not being in your teams high school rotation, especially when that team wins a state title in dominant fashion. There is something special about being part of one of the fastest up and coming groups in the state, especially when that group may be a SCT CHAMP one day. There certainly nothing special about a AAU team going 2-2 during the live recruiting period, except when you see the Dyer twins play. ABIGAIL and RIAN DWYER are twin sisters, nope triplets. But only two play basketball at MANASQUAN HIGH SCHOOL IN NEW JERSEY. Both play AAU for the NJ RISE. Both quietly are becoming primetime players, just not in the bright lights. The two sisters are slowly and quietly making a name for themselves. They are starting to get noticed by the people that matter most. Both look like they’re growing into very special players it seems more and more, day by day. The sky is the limit it seems. There focus and maturity is beyond their years.
The Dwyer sisters are names that I knew little about until one day, a fellow teammate parents called me and asked “do you know the Dwyer Sisters?” Well before that day 2 months ago, I also didn’t know them or realize how special the sophomore now junior class at Manasquan really is; it’s one of the best 2028 classes in the state. A class that features CALISTA VOWTERAS who was one of the best sophomores in the state last season. There is Molly O’Boyle a up and coming player that is sure to have a breakout season. There is the rapidly improving Paige Donnelly, a future star with real experience under her belt in big games. Manasquan I discovered has enough talent to win the SCT and STATE title. The Dwyer sisters just may be one of the biggest reason why. The two sisters both have something in common. They play hard and are ultra competitive. They don’t need the ball to make an impact. They don’t need or crave special attention. It’s clear both love the game. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see this. Both are GYM RATS and have a strong desire to improve. It’s clear both girls have big futures. They’re talented and good teammates. They understand basketball is a team sport. It’s why they bring so much to the table and a team.
It’s really no surprise that the Dwyer sisters did not see major minutes at Manasquan. Their coach Lisa Kukoda has a history of developing talent. Her kids have a history of being successful in college. That’s because Coach Kukoda believes every kid must pay their dues at Manasquan and learn the team’s culture, regardless of their status or talent. Playing team basketball and winning state chips is a staple under Coach Kukoda, it can feel like a birthright at times. It’s why so often unknown names become stars at Manasquan and play D1 basketball. Yes the Mabrey’s and Masonious’s are the Brand names. But it’s the KATIE COLLINS who become Freshman of the Year in the Ivy League, it’s the Shannon Hiene’s and Olivia Shaughnessy’s that went from unknown to D1 players. It’s the Donnelly sisters, like Mary who became a star at Holy Cross and Shea (Colby University ) who was All State and First Team All Shore in most media outlets and now its Paige’s turn who is now a junior on the rise. It was Lola Mullaney becoming one of the best in Harvard history. It’s these type players who have defined the Manasquan program. Rian and Abigail Dwyer are the latest group of sisters and players to paint their masterpiece it seems. Both have all the tools to have a breakout summer before becoming household names next season. Both are players who are committed to being the best they can be on the court, in the weight room and communicating with teammates.
Abigail Dwyer is athletic with real positional size at 5’10”. She is capable of not just playing but excelling, playing the wing or any of the forward positions. She’ll bring real next level talent, size and versatility to the college game after high school. But it’s her toughness and grittiness’s that will excite college coaches. Her competitive nature is a gift. Her skill sets and basketball IQ are special. She is clearly a kid with a PHD.. (passionate.. hungry and driven). You can tell by her leadership skills. When you combine this with her work ethic and desire, you just know special things are in her future. Abigail is the type of player who will do the dirty work in games and in PRACTICE and then at the blink of an eye. Do the winning stuff, good teams need and coaches dream about. She is an improving shooter, who shows up at after school shooting and truly locks in. As other talk and take shooting as a necessary routine. You can’t help but notice Abigail’s focus and attention to detail. Her maturity is on full display in moments like this. Abigail is a problem at the rim because of her strength and willingness to give up her body. It’s why watching her her, you know immediately she is a well rounded player. All signs point to Abigail becoming another Manasquan player going from unknown to must know. She clearly will be a name college coaches will full in love with..
RIAN DWYER is a point guard who is a Rock of Gibraltar. Her court demeanor never changes regardless of the situation. She is cool under pressure and is always in control. She is a natural leader and more importantly a pit bull. Rian will run through a wall for a loose ball. She will guard with her heart and soul. She is that reliable ball handler without all the bells and whistles. She just gets the job done with real winning efficiency. I would be dishonest if I told you she has a painful weakness in her floor game after watching her this past live period. She seems to always makes great decisions, the right plays. She knows how to run a team. She is an extension of the coach, a word quote too often thrown around like a punchline. But in this case a FACT! Rian can be used as a classic combination point guard at the next level because she can slide to the shooting guard spot and not miss a beat. She is versatile and more importantly plays hungry. Players like Rian are hard as hell to fine these days. The kid that shows up and competes like her life is in the line. That talented player without drama. RIAN HAS ALL THE WINNING QUALITIES!
Both DYWER sisters this weekend surprised me because they were better than I thought. It actually is a good thing that they have been under the radar. It keep them working hard and more importantly hid distractions away. After watching them in Atlantic City, that is all about to change. I now realize Manasquan right now as of today just may be threats to every team in the state. They are a program that doesn’t rebuild… they reload. When you have weapons like RIAN AND ABIGAIL DWYER waiting in the wings, reloading is just a little easier. The Dwyer Twins are laying the groundwork this spring and summer. They are just becoming a front page. But make no mistake, this story is going to be big news and it’s going to be a long story one that will run the next two years!
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