Today the SHORE CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT FINAL FOUR kicks off tonight . People will not be talking about winning meaningless summer and fall games. Some will compare scores during the season as if that matters now. The real question is, now that your team is here ; DO THEY HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN THE MOST IMPORTANT AND HARDEST GIRLS BASKETBALL TTLE IN NEW JERSEY?
DOES YOUR TEAM HAVE A STAR?
There is no question the Shore Conference FINAL FOUR is loaded with stars that can take a team out by themselves. RBC has stars up and down the roster. Addy Nyemcheck, Tessa Carman and Christina Liggio can carry a team. But Olivia Shaughnessy and Shea Donnelly have been acting like stars all year for Manasquan. They have proven then can get rolling and carry a team. SJV has Taylor Sofilkanich, Madison Kocis and Stella Lockhart , who all bring star power. ST. Rose has Jada Lynch. She can single handily save your team on a night when things may be slipping away. A star can send a team home single handedly. They can she take out a super powers. See Jada Lynch vs RBC. Stars take the bulk of your team’s shots, coaches run plays for your stars. The real question is can your star also take over games with their defense, passing or rebounding as well. Can your star put your team on her back and carry your team home from this point forward. More importantly does your team and coach believe in its star? Because if your coach is sharing the wealth(shots) and not playing through your stars… this thing is a wrap for you. Stars win chips. If you don’t believe in stars …you better hope you don’t need one.
DO YOU HAVE SHOOTERS?
If you have shooters, you have a big edge. Shooters make up for a multiple of sins. Do you have one or do you have multiple shooters? RBC has the best in the business in Katie Liggio. SJV has a proven shooter in Madison Kocis . Where are your shooters? Are they streaky and have the ability to shoot you out or into games? Do they have good shot selection, like BROOKE MISSRY of St. Rose? What about your coach? Does he have those new sets in for your shooters. Because now game planning matters or does your shooter get thrown in the ice box. What’s your coach doing to get your shooters shots? This event is 100% coming down to shooters. Somebody is going to shoot a team into this event or out of this event.
CAN YOUR TEAM GO TO IT’S BENCH
When it comes to using the bench, SJV had set the standard for years. RBC, COACH MONTANO has created a 8 man rotation that is based on the clock. His bench is loaded with experience and D1 players. Manasquan Coach Lisa Kukoda has used her bench wisely and effectively all year. She created an elite bench by bringing a D1 player off the bench in Kayden Clark. She has given everyone on the bench real confidence. Who do you have coming off the bench to change the game? Who is that player for St. Rose. Using your bench wisely matters most. Because if your coach gets too cute and over uses your bench or goes to them too early and often, it could be the kiss of death. Because benches have been known to give up leads and end quarters poorly. Somebody is going to run into foul trouble or an injury. Somebody is going to have a bad shooting night, somebody is going to get sick. When this happens, your teams bench is either going to shine or be exposed. Has your bench been used in big spots this year? The SCT is not a place to start finding out if they are ready…that ship has long sailed!
DOES YOUR TEAM HAVE A STOPPER?
This is the most underrated player in this event. History has shown a stopper can change this entire event. Do you have a player to cool down a hot JADA LYNCH or shooters like Katie Liggio ? Do you have a defender that can slow down a ADDY NYEMCHECK ? What about in the post, can you keep a Taylor Sofilkanich, from dominating or getting your team in foul trouble? Do you have a matchup for these type players, when they get rolling? You better have answers because somebody is going to get rolling against your team at some point. The question is can you shut the door on them, when they do? Cassidy Kruesi still has the potential to reach into the past and become the ultimate stopper once again. Kayden Clark is a true stopper at all 5 positions. Who is your stopper? Who has a defender that can throw a star in the witness protection program? Do you have one ? If you don’t have one, forget winning this event…you have NO CHANCE.
DOES YOUR TEAM HAVE A CLOSER?
Nobody is sailing throughout the tournament, closers close quarters and games. RBC may have the two best in the business in Addy Nyemcheck and Christina Liggio. Now here is something, I learned a long time ago. Throw out shooting and free throw shooting percentage until the last 2 minutes OF A CLOSE GAME. If they missed the big ones in big games, during the season…they are missing in the SCT. Olivia Shaughnessy of Manasquan is a big shot maker and taker. You got one these on your roster? SJV has Madison Kocis. Closer’s don’t turn the ball over or make bad decisions late. You have a closer? Now be honest, do you trust your closer? Because if you don’t, secretly your team does not trust them either. Does your closer know when to pass and when to shoot? Do you have a player who thinks they are a closer, they take the shot but can’t make it. You do know having the guts to take the shot don’t matter unless they can make the shot? Now don’t tell me, your closer is your best player. Remember your closer is not always your best player or even a player. The list of so called best players failing to deliver late in a game is longer than a football field. A closer can be a coach, Dawn Karpell is one of the best closer’s in the business ever. Nobody is in her world. Now here is something everyone forgets…sometimes your closer never gets the chance to close, because in order to close you need to be in the game late with a lead. The SCT is not the place to try and find a closer….
CAN YOU COUNT ON YOUR BABIES?
Now don’t tell me how good your babies played this year. I don’t care about their stats. I want to know what your babies did against the real teams. Did they see real time in the games that determined your season and seeding. Don’t tell me about a play or shot a baby made in a game. Tell me what you babies did in the real heat of big games. Now are your babies a big part of the team? Can you count on your babies to play a big role in a big spot, if need be? SJV’s ANTONIA JACKSON , has proven she can play in big settings. CALISTA VOWTERAS of MANASQUANhas been everything Lisa Kukoda dreamed about. Now if your babies have put up good numbers in blow-outs, but have zero numbers in the big games…don’t expect them to all of a sudden, blow up in this event, this event has real killers. What’s the status of your babies? If they have to go from role player to prime time player can they do it?…can your baby do this?
ARE YOUR BATTLE TESTED SENIORS READY OR NOT SHOWING UP
If your team is not loaded with seniors your team’s job just got a little harder. But if you have seniors, they must have experienced success in big spots along the way. Winning a big game or tournament can’t be new to them. SJV has a seniors who has won big games and chips…SJV has the ultimate SENIORS with the rings who are dangerous . RBC has impact seniors but been trying to get over the SCT hump for years now. But they also have battle tested underclassmen, who have yet to win a SCT. Manasquan has battle tested seniors, who have won big games in a big spot, they got Chips to lean on as well. Having battle tested seniors is something that gives you a real edge in these events. Seniors don’t panic and they play with a passion when they know the end is in sight… What about your seniors…Are they ready? St. Rose has two seniors that have been around. Now are your seniors ready? Can they get their numbers now? Or are you riding seniors with no history of delivering and are not showing up lately? Seniors go to the next level this time of year. Case Kruesi just might be a senior on a mission
CAN YOUR TEAM HANDLE THE PRESSURE?
RBC may be the favorite, they know all eyes are on them, anything but the title will be disappointing. MANASQUAN has been a major surprise. But now they will have to step it up another level. SJV knows that anything less than a SCT CHIP will be disappointing. They may be the team that can deny RBC. ST ROSE are playing with house money these days. But they know post season awards are on the line as well. . All this adds up to pressure, can you team handle the pressure that comes with trying to win the SCT?
IS YOU COACH READY FOR PRIME TIME?
These games are going to be tight and somebody is going to win it or lose it, based on a decision from the sidelines. Will your coach give your team an edge with the officials? Are they too busy saving timeouts and forget the ball matters most late in games? Your coach better not panic and they better have those new offensive sets, out of bounds plays and new trapping defenses all ready to go for the SCT FINAL FOUR.
Your coach better have some new stuff to throw at opponent’s, because everyone knows everyone right now due to video. You coach got some new stuff? Your coach better not start over coaching and trying to be the star. Your coach better be prepared coming out of time outs and last second situations.
Now possessions really matter, because these games are going to be close. How are your rotations? They better be set and everyone better know, when they are playing. Too late to start changing now folks…you are who you are. In the end these games are going to come down to how your coach handles the pressure and rotations at the end of the games. Are they yelling and screaming or teaching and adjusting? …they will need to make all the right moves! Your coach ready to do this? Your coach ready for the surprises, bad calls and the heat of the spotlight. How has your Coach performed in close games this year? You tell me because your team better trust your coach late in games. This year coaching may win or lose a SCT.
IS YOUR TEAM READY TO PULL OFF THE UPSET?
Are you ready for the big upset? Well if that’s that plan you better have a punchers chance. Meaning you better have kids that are competitive. Kids who love playing together, have real chemistry and winning is all that matters. What about ball handlers? Do you have a player that can keep your team under control when things got hot? What about the full court pressure, can you handle it? Because all teams press you when they think they are better. A better question, where is your full court pressure and can your protect your defensive boards? Because if you can’t protect your glass it’s nitey nite. Now you have to do all those things and more. Oh yeah, did I tell you that you will need a player to have a career or once in a lifetime night as well. I’m talking about like when Lauren Lithgow had 9 three’s and St. Rose took out SJV who hasn’t lost a SCT game since that day 6 years ago. Maybe you’ll have a Grace Colluccci who knocked down 8 three’s and went for 27 points to send Donavan Catholic packing, three years ago. It’s been done before and who knows maybe you’re the next RBR that took out RBC in the most historic upset win on the road in the SCT. Maybe you’re the St. Rose team who shocked the Mabrey sisters in the SCT chip game. Is your team ready for the big upset? Ready to be the talk of the town? Ready to make history? There is a track record of upsets, is this your year?
HOW IS YOUR TEAM PLAYING GOING INTO THE SCT?
How is your team playing these days? What’s your team’s style of play? Do they know? Do the coaches know? Are all the players on your team on the same page? Do they believe in the X and O’s? Because you cannot change who you are now, if you don’t know who you are, you’re in trouble. Do you have players who think this is their chance to shine? You know trying to steal the spotlight, taking shots they have not taken all year. Somebody is going to try and make a name for themselves at your teams expense, bank on it. Does you team feel good about themselves going into the SCT? RBC is red hot, MANASQUAN are feeling real sexy about themselves right now. How’s your team feel? What’s the team morale …. Don’t tell me who your team beat or who you lost to…tell me HOW IS YOUR TEAM PLAYING RIGHT NOW…nobody cares what you did a month ago because now is not the time to trying to find your chemistry.
SO WHO IS GOING TO WIN IT?
The bottom line is there is one favorite going into the SCT FINAL FOUR. I just know this, one dimensional teams are out. Teams that are flexible and that can adjust on the fly have a chance. Teams that are healthy have an even better chance. Somebody is going to face every one of the above obstacles before a champion is crowned. The team that handles these challenges the best is going to be our winners. Right now I BELIEVE all these teams are flawed. Some have the gang that can’t shoot straight, some lack of chemistry, some are a walking turnover, Some have stop playing defense and some lack closers or a bench. One Coach at some point will panic. So each of the teams will face a real challenge trying to make their 2025 SCT CHIP DREAMS COME TRUE.. But regardless of what anyone says, that’s the real goal this year before anyone can start thinking about a SCT CHIP… is to win tonight!
