By Jim Hintelmann and Anthony Mauro
RED BANK – Following a 21-7 record last year, the Red Bank Catholic girls basketball team looks to pick up right where it left off.
Though last year’s starters Sam Guastella, Kasey Hobbie, and Mary Kate Byrnes were lost to graduation; starters Morgan Arnott and Grace Fallon will return for the upcoming season.
The Caseys will bring a great deal of experience to the court as returning varsity players include Jackie Cajigal, Kayla Dunn, Alex Alfano, Mary Kate Caverly, Caroline Corcoran, Maria Balocco, and Tara Daniels.
Adding to their impressive depth on the bench will consist of newcomers Alex Barazotti, Claire Rochford, Quinn McMenaman, Caleigh Erdman, Colleen Beery, and Caitlin Conroy.
The goals for the team are plain and simple according to head coach Joe Montano; “Conference and state
titles,” he said.
Boys
Red Bank Catholic had one of its best seasons a year ago with an 18-7 record, but the Caseys are faced with a major rebuilding project this season with only two returning lettermen, neither of whom were starters.
“We graduated six seniors so everyone will have a new role,” said RBC coach Devitt Gillroy, in his ___ season as varsity coach. “We’re working together and hope that we will get better as the season goes along.”
RBC will be bolstered by a solid junior class that went unbeaten as freshman two years ago.
The two returning lettermen are seniors Ryan Grover (6’1”) and Ryan Byrne (6’2”). The rest of the tentative starting lineup will be juniors James Taylor (6’1”) and Chris Calandrillo (6’0”) and sophomore Quenton Nelson (6’5”).
Nelson is a transfer from Holmdel and has looked good thus far in scrimmages.
The rest of the team consists of juniors Cal Whaley (5’8”), Jesse Flaherty (5’1”) and Pat Drum (6’2”), and sophomore Tim O’Hara (6’4”).
“We’ll play an up tempo style like we did last year,” said Gillroy. “We will also play multiple defenses.”
RBC opens its season Friday when it makes a short trip to Red Bank Regional. RBC is also entered in the annual WOBM Tournament for the first time. The Caseys are seeded 14th out of a 16-team field and will play Manchester Saturday at Toms River North. Game time will be 2:30 p.m.
