THE FORT SUMMER LEAGUE REPORT AND THOUGHTS
The summer is coming to a close. The Fort Summer League is taking place once again. This summer the league has a few new faces. But like every year it’s one of the best run events. Doug Shaw and Coach Callahan’s wonderful post game wrap after each game is pure magic. I wish they would move this league to the fall. After two weeks we have seen some very informative pictures take place. The summer league is not about wins and losses, it’s about learning where teams stand. What’s there strengths and weaknesses. Who are the new faces, what players are going to be impactful and what is the upside for teams.
I still believe SJV is the favorite this year. But there is no heavyweight team like a RBC was the past two years. But then again outside of Manasquan and RBC. I really don’t see a team in the Shore with the ability to handle the Lancers. What makes me say this? Outside of Calista Vowteras and Allison McAndrew can you list another starter on a Shore team that would start at SJV? It’s a small list. The development of Antonia Jackson, Gianna Sano and Brooke Solfilkanick is classic Coach Karpell and SJV. Seniors Tatum Sharpe and Lizzy Lyons are certainly looking like they are ready to fulfill all the promise that was once expected from them when they entered high school. Senior Avery Barth just make be their biggest surprise. The gym rat is certainly showing she is ready to make a big contribution. SJV has some excellent young talent as well. They are gaining valuable experience in the Fort League in hopes of making a contribution during the season.
MANASQUAN looks to be a serious threat to SJV. More importantly to Shore opponents, this may be the last year to offer up a challenge for years to come as next year then roll in with a monster freshman class. Calista VOWTERAS looks ready to make a run at the player of the year. She made her first appearance this week in the summer league. Manasquan is deep, talented and a seasoned team. They have been without Pagie Donnelly and ABBY DYER. It’s clear RAIN DYER, MOLLY O’BOYLE, are much improved. Rose LATESTA who has won a Fort MVP and stud FRESHMAN VANESSA VOWTERAS make Manasquan deep, experienced and talented.
COLTS NECK has looked like a team that could make a serious run. Allison McAdrew looks like a Top 5 player in the conference Emily Donahue is the best pure point guard and the most under appreciated star in the shore JULIANNA JASINA hasn’t missed a beat. Avery Wallace won a MVP already. Colts Neck looks ready for the next big step. Coach Nick Russo has built a heck of team. The Fort League will allow him to explore a few other possibilities to add to the mix. Freshman McKenna Willis and Mae Delia certainly offer some nice possibilities
RBC has had a rough go at it in the Fort. They have all the makings of a team that can challenge SJV. There best player right now Sue Lashley and Nat Whitehead have been pleasant surprises. Prize freshman Sofia Rude will need some tim but at times has looked as good as advertised. Casey ZAMMIT might be there most important player. Abby Sturm has showed she is capable. There is some real potential on the bench that will be asked to step up at some point. Coach Montano is giving his bench and JV lots of time in the Fort league hoping they will build confidence. Someone will most certainly need to step up with ARI WISSEN out for the season most likely.
ST. ROSE once again looks like a tough hard nosed group. Coach Hatfield has a team with a real upside. LANEY KROSNOWSKI and Brooke JAENICKE form a sensational defensive backcourt. Callie Decker put on a shooting show this week with a 28 point eruption. St. Rose been excellent to this point in the Fort League
RFH, SHORE, FREEHOLD, Southern, Marlboro, RBR, SHORE, Trinity Hall, HOLMDEL, MIDDLETOWN NORTH, PT BORO, MIDD SOUTH and BRICK among others are showing they want there programs to step it up. They have show up with full rosters and shown a real willingness to compete. They each are hoping to have excellent falls and gain some needed experience and confidence.The Fort League is just what the doctor ordered.
There are some observations that stick out. Like the amount of injures. That latest being future D1 guard KENDALL FREDRICKSEN with a broken finger. It’s a big lost because BRICK players certainly can use time in the Fort learning to play with their best player.
Like last year there was a massive separation between the Top 4 teams and the rest of the Shore teams. The Fort League is confirming not much has changed in so many ways. The 2nd tier teams lack the talent and GYM RATS to compete with the Top teams for a SCT CHIP. But there is certainly enough for all these teams to have successful seasons. The Fort is a great starting point.
The one thing that is crystal clear. None of the Top Teams in the Shore it appears outside of Manasquan are more than 6/7 deep. If the truth be told most have a legit 5 man rotation and are searching for a true 6th and 7th man in a pinch. The Fort League is a great place to find such a player on your roster. There are kids certainly capable of surprising everyone.
Some players have really had some outstanding moments. Mackenzie Klatsky has had some super human three point shooting nights. Sue Lashley has been one of the best players in the league. She’s simply been a beast and looks every bit like the player everyone expected her to be as a grammar school player. Let’s hope she keeps up these wonderful performances. Sidney Tilton showed up and made a case as the new 2029 GOAT along with Sue Lashley. She has too full advantage of the summer and has made a massive jump this summer. She was dominant in her Fort debut.
Before her injury KENDALL FREDRICKSEN was playing marvelous on both sides of the ball. The Fort was just another example of of her growth as a player. Casey Miranda of RBR has been dominant at times in the Fort League, she certainly has stepped up her game. You have to wonder what she could be if basketball was her main sport. Shore opponents certainly don’t want to find out.
For those who question Tatum Sharpe’s ability to score. She opened up her Fort summer debut this year with a 27 point explosion, any more questions? Brick forward ANNA CLAIRE STAUDT has shown she is very capable of taking over games. Her 28 point, 16 rebound game vs Marlboro was proof of this.
With all that is going on with kids right now. High School practice, summer league games, training, college elite camps, college visits, getting ready for the school year. With AAU finally over WE THOUGHT and families planning vacations and many more other challenges. Why in the hell do we have AAU folks having tryouts? Why is anyone charging $75.00 dollars in Aug and at the beginning of the school year. At some point the state and NCAA must say enough. Either let the high school coaches have there teams in the fall or put in rules…
FINALLY BALL-HANDLING / SHOOTING CAMP WRAPS UP OUR SUMMER OF CAMPS
