RFH Expects Challenges but Remains Hopeful
By Jim Hintelmann
RUMSON – Although losing its first two games of the season to state powers Manasquan and St. John Vianney, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional girls basketball coach George Sourlis is looking for another great season thanks to a veteran team.
“We have to be optimistic,” said Sourlis, whose team went 20-8 last year. “I think we should be in store for an exciting season. Our experience will be a strength.”
The Lady Bulldogs have all five starters back from last year’s team led by Grace Stant, 6-foot, whom will be playing at Villanova next year.
In addition to Stant, the other tentative starters are seniors Sam Sabino, 5-foot-9, Janae Mayfield, 5-foot-6, and juniors Stephanie Lesko and Nicole Morris, 5-foot-8.
Rumson also has a very deep team with, Lindsey Norris, Sydney Sabino, Hannah Scanlan and Emma Miller all expecting to see playing time this year. Top newcomers are Megan Volker, Abby Kelly, Katie Foos, Nicole Russo and Tori Hyduke.
Rumson plays in the tough A Division Central, but Sourlis is happy to play good competition.
“We have a very strong schedule,” Sourlis admitted. “But it will make us better in the long run.”
Although losing to Manasquan 64-52, after leading at halftime 29-26 in its opener Friday, Sourlis still was happy with the effort.
“Manasquan shot better in the second half,” said Sourlis “They deserved to win.”
Red Bank Catholic Optimistic at Season’s Start
By Jim Hintelmann
RED BANK – Although having one of his youngest teams in years, Red Bank Catholic girls basketball coach Joe Montano, now in his 29th year, is still fairly optimistic.
The Caseys, 19-9 a year ago, have only one senior on the team, but has gotten off to a fast start with wins over Ocean Township, Toms River North and Wall.
“We have talent and good shooters but are very young,” said Montano. “Hopefully, our team will continue to improve as the season goes along. This team has to learn to play together.”
The lone senior on the team is Alexandra Barazotti, 5-foot-7, in her fourth varsity season. She is coming off a good junior season.
The rest of the tentative starting lineup are sophomores Maureen Coakley, 5-foot-11, Josephine Larkins, 5-foot-8, and Tia Montagne, 5-foot-7, and freshman Kathryn Rice, 5-foot-7.
RBC will have plenty of depth with juniors Jennifer Bagnell, 5-foot-9, Caitlin Carroll, 5-foot-7, Paige Curti, 5-foot-6, Gillian Hansen, 5-foot-8, Erin Howard, 5-foot-8, and freshman Hayley Moore, 5-foot-5, are likely to get playing time.
RBC, which competed in the brutal A Division Central with St. John Vianney, Manasquan and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional last year, will be competing in the somewhat easier but still competitive B North this year.
RBC, however, will still play non-division games with Rumson on Feb. 7 and St. John Vianney on Feb.14.
Young Middletown North Team Looking To Improve
By Sean Simmons
MIDDLETOWN – With a young team coming back this season, head coach Ed Jones and his Middletown North Lions are looking to improve upon last year’s 9-15 record.
The Lions return two starters from last season: senior forward Kayla Morford and sophomore guard Hailee Hallard.
“Although we have a young team, I believe that we have potential if we work hard,” Morford said.
The Lions also have three letter winners returning this season: senior guard Alexa Barriero and sophomore guards Allison Degrushe and Kamani Williams.
Other players expected to see some playing time are junior forward Carlie Nielsen, junior guards Jordan Derise and Julia Ferrara and sophomore guard Dani Tollevsen.
The Lions opened up their season on Dec. 19 and lost a 35-32 nailbiter to Freehold. Degrushe led the Lions with 10 points.
“Kayla is a second year starter and Alexa will be starting for the first time, but she was a key member coming off the bench last year,” Jones said. “I expect both of them to be major contributors and senior leaders.”
Mater Dei Prep Focusing On Strong Season
By Sean Simmons
MIDDLETOWN – Mater Dei Prep finished last season with a 14-9 record and with a strong nucleus of players coming back this season, the Seraphs should be one of the top teams in the B Central Division this season and challenge St. Rose for the B Central Division title.
The top returning players for the Seraphs this season are senior forward Katie Viscardi, senior guard Lindsey Florio, senior guard Julia McCarthy, who is out with a knee injury, senior guard Brooke Trotta, junior guard Maggie Klatt, sophomore forward Cassidy Stimpson and sophomore guards Jayme Lewandowski and Jennifer Quigley.
“We have an experienced trio of returning seniors (Florio, Trotta and Viscardi) who will play an up-tempo style offense and pressure defense,” Mater Dei Prep head coach Brian Laux said. “We expect big contributions from Maggie, our best 3-point shooter and Cassidy, who will give us a strong post player.”
The best of the newcomers for the Seraphs are senior forward Jamie Luminoso, senior guard Kristen McGaughey, freshman forward Amanda Yetman and freshmen guards Mandy Devaney and Jill Williams.
The Seraphs opened up their season on Dec. 19 by defeating Point Beach, 45-16. Viscardi led the Seraphs with 13 points and also pulled down 10 rebounds.
“The team will be very competitive and exciting to watch,” Laux said. “We will miss the contributions of Julia McCarthy, who played explosive defense and was one of the state leaders in steals per game last season. Fortunately, we did add senior Kristen McGaughey this season who is a quick, smart player and brings great energy and experience to the team.”
Middletown South Ready To Defend CJ Group III Title
By Sean Simmons
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP – The defending Central Jersey Group III champion Middletown South Eagles are coming off a stellar 22-4 season (12-0 in the A North Division), but ended up losing a heartbreaker against Woodrow Wilson, 51-50 in a Group III semifinal game after battling back from an early 23-8 deficit. With an experienced team and several key players coming back this season, the expectations are set high for the Eagles
The key returning players for the Eagles this season are senior guard Angela DeBartolome, senior power forward Jill Falvey, who averaged seven points and five rebounds per game last season and has already signed with St. Francis, Pa., junior forward/guard Stephanie Karcz, who averaged 17 points, seven rebounds and four steals per game last season, sophomore forward/guard Alexandra Balsamo, who averaged five points per game last season, but missed half of the season with a wrist injury and sophomore guard Haley Dalonzo, who averaged five points per game last season.
“Stephanie is a relentless defender and a fierce rim attacker on offense,” Middletown South head coach Tom Brennan said. “Her desire to make her teammates better around her is evidence of the understanding that despite all the individual accolades she receives, the team still comes first. She is not a glory kid by any means just trying to get points and headlines.”
The top newcomers for the Eagles this season are senior guard Madison Curtis, who is also a standout soccer player for the Eagles and lost last year due to an injury, junior forward Brianne Naughton, sophomore Roberta Montes and freshman power forward Gabby Cook.
“Brianne is a rebounding presence and Roberta is a tough ball defender,” Brennan said.
The Eagles opened up their season Dec. 19 with an impressive 55-26 win against Howell. Karcz was the leading scorer for the Eagles with 18 points. Middletown South followed up their win against Howell with a 61-23 win over 15th-seeded Wall in a first round WOBM Christmas Classic on December 20and were once again led by Karcz, who poured in 23 points. The Eagles are the No. 2 seed in the tournament.
“We lost a lot of leadership with three graduates from State Sectional championship team last year, but plenty of athleticism and experience are coming back this season,” Brennan said. “Chemistry must be found early and rebounding must be a focus of each player to give us opportunities to win throughout the season.”
