By Rich Chrampanis
LAKEWOOD – The Hoop Group Showcase at Georgian Court University gave three local girls basketball teams some elite competition on a Sunday afternoon. St. John Vianney picked up an impressive win while Red Bank Regional and Red Bank Catholic fell short against top-ranked state opponents.
St. John Vianney 55, Blair Academy 48
The bar has been set so ridiculously high for coach Dawn Karpell’s program that two losses during the holiday season is usually the quota for an entire year. The Lancers have put together a solid five-game win streak since a loss to Gill St. Bernard’s and are taking form as one of New Jersey’s very best.
Madison Kocis and Taylor Sofilkanich each had 11 points and Stella Lockhart had a solid double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds against a Blair Academy team that has a deep lineup. SJV has been playing a mix of top New Jersey teams along with a prep school slate around the Northeast. Wins against state-ranked Bayonne and Montclair Immaculate, along with a dominant effort against Rumson-Fair Haven, highlight the current five-game win streak.
SJV (9-2) has two games each against Red Bank Regional and Red Bank Catholic, along with a matchup with top-ranked Morris Catholic in the More than a Highlight Showcase at the end of the month.
St. John Vianney is the defending Shore Conference Tournament champions and lost to RBC in the section semifinals a year ago.
Morris Catholic 56, Red Bank Catholic 47
University of Tennessee commits Mia and Mya Pauldo combined for 32 points and the Crusaders (10-0) showed why they are the undisputed top-ranked girls’ basketball team in New Jersey with a wire-to-wire win against the Caseys.
The Pauldo twins have made national headlines not only with their on-court play but by securing numerous NIL deals and building a brand in this new age of basketball. Mia is the 11th-ranked senior in the country, according to ESPNW. She has elite ball-handling skills and a fearless and creative attack to the rim to go along with a pure outside shot. Mia had 20, while Mya, a Top 50 recruit of her own, had 12 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Addy Nyemchek was outstanding against the top competition with 21 points and seven rebounds, while Monmouth University commit Tessa Carman was effective inside with 12 points and nine rebounds. The Caseys trailed by seven after one quarter and the deficit grew to 15 at the end of three. RBC showed a good bounce back in the fourth but could not get within striking distance of the Crusaders.
RBC is the defending Non-Public “A” state champion, while Morris Catholic is the reigning Non-Public “B” state champ. Don’t be fooled by the Caseys’ 6-4 record: Coach Joe Montano’s team is playing a national-level schedule with two out-of-state losses, including to nationally ranked Long Island Lutheran, along with losses to St. Rose and Morris Catholic. RBC will be one of the top seeds in next month’s Shore Conference Tournament and will look to use these tough games to get ready to defend its state title.
Manasquan 44, Red Bank Regional 36
A year ago, Red Bank Regional stunned Manasquan 42-21 at the Hoop Group Showcase. The Warriors turned the tables this year, overcoming an 18-15 halftime deficit to win their fourth straight game. The Bucs were led by Caroline Palloway, who had 18 points and seven rebounds, with Synai Blychanton adding 11.
Coach John Truhan’s team spent the first month of the season ranked in the state polls and scored a 58-49 win over Rumson-Fair Haven to claim the WOBM Christmas Classic title in Toms River at the end of December.
With a 7-2 record, RBR will look to navigate a division that features rivals Rumson-Fair Haven, RBC and St. John Vianney.
The article originally appeared in the January 16 – 22, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
