Monmouth girls gearing up for toughest test yet After racing out to an 8-0 start, the Monmouth Regional girls basketball team is ready for its stiffest challenge to date. The Falcons, who entered the week ranked fourth in the Shore and 14th in the state, will take on a tough Manasquan team on Sunday as past of the Battle On the Boardwalk in Asbury Park. The Falcons have rolled through their schedule this far, collecting a Bayshore Holiday Tournament title along the way, but will face off against a Manasquan team who is at full strength for the first time since the season’s opening game. Manasquan has been playing without some key starters, in particular Nichole Hawkins, the player Monmouth head coach Audra Corson said the Big Blue Warriors look to lead them. “Our biggest task will be to shut down Hawkins,” said Corson. “I think it’s going to be a tight game,” Corson added. “We’re similar-style teams; whoever goes out and makes the least mistakes will be the winner.” The Falcons, who rely heavily on their depth, will look for their bench players to be the difference on Sunday, though they’ll obviously need solid play from starters Kristen Dalton, Brittany Powell, Tia Curtis and Caitlin Shaw. “Our experience will definitely help. We don’t get flustered under pressure,” said Corson. “It will really come down to our bench and how they play will be an important factor.” Corson also feels a key to victory in Sunday’s matchup will be the Falcons’ ability to get the ball inside and run on Manasquan whenever possible. Corson and her team will also look to pressure Manasquan with their defense, using man-to-man and a half-court press to disrupt the Warriors’ attack.. “Defense will be the key to winning the game,” Corson said. “We’ll have to try and keep them off the boards, and get as many rebounds as we can.” Earlier in the season, Manasquan lost to Colts Neck, a team Monmouth had beaten by 11 points. But with the addition of Hawkins, the dynamics of this Manasquan team are completely different. “Manasquan will be the toughest team we’ve faced yet. They’re a different team with Hawkins back in the lineup,” said Corson Prior to Sunday’s battle, Monmouth Regional takes the court this Friday against an up-and-coming Freehold Borough team. — Vin Rapolla