Manasquan high school, has a tradition of turning out great guards. The names read like a who’s who in the past decade alone. They’ve all had a few things in common. There quick, athletic and seem to always play on both sides of the ball. They also all played for LISA KUKODA who has made a career out of developing some of the best guards in Shore Conference History. Well Coach Kukoda may have just done her best job to date, in developing Olivia Shaughnessy. The same OLIVA gave a verbal commitment to LOYOLA UNIVERSITY of the Patriot League
Three years ago, Olivia Shaughnessy entered the Shore as one of the best freshman in the conference. She also was part of, one of the most talented teams in the state of New Jersey. A team filled with D1 players. A team with some of the best guards not just in the Shore but the state . Proof of this has been they have all eventually signed at D1 schools. So it was really is no surprise when multiple D1 schools offered Olivia Shaughnessy, I guess that’s just what happens when you play guard at Manasquan. But in the case of Olivia that road was not that easy. First she had to watch from the bench as a freshman. Something few talented freshman are willing to do these days. So what looked like a slam dunk D1 player entering high school was no longer a sure thing. Lisa Kukoda always gives her upperclassman first crack at playing time. So Olivia had to watch and practice vs some of the best players in the state. So that’s exactly what she did. She worked a little harder than most. She was not big and strong. But she lighting quick and athletic. She also was one of the most competitive players on planet earth. She’s tougher than most and most importantly loves to play the game. It’s the reason she has developed into a great shooter, a masterful ball handler and one of the best point guards in all of New Jersey these days. It’s been a journey in some ways for Olivia Shaughnessy. A journey that has led her to fulfilling her dreams. She now will be playing D1 basketball and getting a great education at Loyola University.
I remember the first time seeing Olivia Shaughnessy play, was when she was in just 6th grade. Her quickness, defense and energy blew me away. I thought she was former Monmouth University and Manasquan superstar Stella Clarke reinvented. There was no doubt in my mind, Olivia was going to be special. But then the world stopped due to Covid and basketball disappeared and just didn’t seem that important. Nobody was playing very much. That was until the okay was given for players to play outdoors. It was 6pm and I was walking out the Hoop Group to make the 40 min drive home. When I saw the one player I enjoy watching more than “ANYONE” warming up to play an out door game. So I stopped and thought I give myself a treat and watch a few mins. You see I’m old school, I like watching players that give 100% always and play with a passion and love for the game. I hadn’t seen much of that recently. So I decided to stick around and what started out as few mins turned into me watching a full game under the lights. That’s because a hurricane hit the court. Olivia Shaughnessy was everywhere, diving in loose balls on concrete, dropping dimes, pressuring ball handlers and basically stealing the show. I was exhausted just watching her. I knew I was watching the next Manasquan great guard…oh yeah I drove on with a much needed smile on my face!
Today it may seem so expected Olivia would wind up where she is today. But it has not been an easy ride for Olivia. As a sophomore she was a role player, due to the backlog of senior D1 guards on the Manasquan roster. To make thing worst Manasquan didn’t when the Group 2 state title for the first time in recent memory. So last year Olivia finally moved into the starting lineup and a few things happened. Manasquan got the ball handling, defense and big play making that was missing. They won the Group 2 title back. Olivia Shaughnessy had established herself as the next great Manasquan guard and all was right again. Except for one little tiny detail. The recruiting world had forgotten about Olivia. So once again Olivia went to work. She decided to switch AAU teams to gain more exposure. So she joined Tracey Sabino and the Shoreshots. It was there that she was surrounded by a team full of D1 players. Tracey Sabino and the Shoreshots understand how to showcase talent. They understand allowing a player to shine when being part of team is the key to everyone shining. Olivia took full of advantage of this while playing with her Shoreshot teammates and now has been rewarded for unselfish style. She trusted Tracey Sabino and now they have a bond that cannot be broken. It was this relationship that allowed college coaches discover what we already knew. Olivia Shaughnessy is simply one of the best. The Shoreshots allowed Olivia to remind coaches, fans and friends how different she really is as a player. It’s why the D1 offers can rolling in. But there was just one school she wanted to attend …LOYOLA UNIVERSITY and what Olivia wants she gets.
The term warrior is over used this days. There is other word that is over used these days “FAMILY”. You see being born in a house don’t make you family. Family is different and means so much to so many different people. Olivia’s dad Bill was a quarterback at Boston College. He is the current asst. coach for Manasquan. Her mother Meg, is warm, compassionate and supportive. You rarely her from her. Both instilled into Olivia , you can do anything if you’re willing to work and be a good person and teammate. Olivia one of the most respectful and coachable kids you will ever meet. That’s because it starts in the home. She is from an athletic rock star type family. Both her sisters were D1 athletes. He sister Sarah play Lacrosse at Wager and her other sister Emma was a swimmer at Fordham University. From a family stand point Olivia has been truly blessed.
So now the dream has been fulfilled. The education will be free, the goal of D1 accomplished. Now a new journey will start this time next year. But for now OLIVIA, has some unfinished to take care of, like helping MANASQUAN win another state title and Graduating with honors. You see Olivia Shaughnessy has been on a journey. You may not know it because she has never complained or made excuses. In a lot of ways she has made it look easy. That’s because her parents have never made it about their daughter. They made it about an experience and growing as a person. They have raised a daughter we can all be proud of and root for just a little harder that most. Now now Olivia is just finishing up the details of this journey… like when she signs her letter of INTENT TO LOYOLA UNIVERSITY and becomes one of the best point guards in the Patriot League…that my friends is a fact and you can take that to the bank!!
CONGRATS TO OLIVIA SHAUGHNESSY… OFFICIAL VIDEO-
SHE’S IN LOVE WITH LOYOLA UNIVERSITY…GO HOUNDS!
