Local hoops teams prep for big games
State powers to invade Shore area in near future
BY DOUG McKENZIE Correspondent

ERIC SU staff Red Bank Catholic's Chyna Golden (l) tries to make a move passed a St. John Vianney defender during Vianney's 62-39 Shore Conference Class A Central victory over the Caseys.

While there are no absolutes in the world of scholastic sports, there are certain things that border on the edge certainty.

For example, every year, when the girls' high school basketball season begins there are three teams that you can routinely predict will be among the very best in the Shore Conference.

The big three — Red Bank Catholic, Rumson-Fair Haven and St. John Vianney — have established themselves as state powerhouses by consistently performing at the highest possible level. And the battles between these teams, whether in regularseason, Class A Central play or in the Shore Conference or state tournament, are generally among the most anticipated and beautifully played games of the season. You may not always know which team will emerge as the Shore's top squad every year, but you do know that when attempting to predict that lofty status, the conversation always begins with the big three.

This season, most prognosticators have pointed to the St. John Vianney girls basketball team, which returns nearly its entire roster from last year's Tournament of Champions semifinalist team. The Lancers entered the season with the word-of-mouth title of "team to beat," and have looked every bit like they're ready to live up to that status in the early going.

With a deep, talented line-up that can beat you with its defense just as quickly as it can outscore you, the Lancers have been steamrolling the competition this season. And on Saturday, they took it to their biggest rival, Red Bank Catholic, and gave a command performance that undoubtedly sent a message to the rest of the Shore Conference, and beyond.

SJV was expected to be very good this season. But thus far, they look an awful lot better than good.

Against RBC, SJV used a stifling full-court press to force 23 steals, frustrating the Caseys with their intensity en route to a resounding 62- 38 win in Red Bank. In a rivalry that consistently produces close, hard-fought affairs, this one hardly fit the mold.

The Lancers used a balanced scoring attack (led by Kate Wilverding's 12 points, 10 from Katie O'Reilly and nine each from Katelyn Linney, Missy Repoli and Jackie Kates), to overcome an early deficit. RBC, led by sophomore center Chyna Golden (16 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks), jumped out to an 11-3 lead, and saw that lead reach 13-5 before Vianney took control. With the Caseys beginning to entertain thoughts of upsetting the Shore's top-ranked team, the Lancers calmly went on a 12-2 run to end the first half.

With a 30-24 lead going into the break, SJV continued to turn up the defensive intensity in the second half, leading to 16 RBC turnovers in the third quarter alone, and a 20-2 scoring advantage. RBC senior forward Mary Ellen Whitlock's bucket late in the third kept the host team from getting shut out in the quarter, but by then, the damage was done. SJV led 50-26 entering the final quarter, and continued to pour it on, proving once again that they are the class of the Shore to this point.

RBC (3-2), which also returns sophomores Kasey Hobbie and Samantha Guastella from last year's 21-7 team, will look to get back on the winning track this week, things certainly didn't get any easier for them on Tuesday when they took on undefeated Rumson-Fair Haven in Rumson.

Head coach George Sourlis's Bulldogs look like one of the state's top teams once again this year. RFH knocked off Shore Regional, 57-34, over the weekend, as Julie Kelly scored 14 of her game-high 17 points in the first half, while All-State senior forward Kate Miller added 12 points to leadthe way. At 7-0, RFH promised to give the Caseys another stiff test, in what will be a brutal stretch of games for the Bulldogs.

On Saturday, RFH will take on state powerhouse Shabazz, before hosting SJV on Tuesday in what is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated games of the year.

In addition to Miller and Kelly, RFH also returns Brielle O'Brien, Amanda Yaccarino, Brianna Resch, Ashley Cooper and Ellie Wilbur from last year's 25-6 team, while newcomers Stephanie and Nicole Isaacs will also play key roles in the Bulldogs' attempt to challenge the Lancers for the Shore's supremacy.

Roundup..... While RFH and RBC are off to their traditional winning starts, the Ocean Township Lady Spartans have also looked good early on, racing out to a 4-2 start. Ocean was humbled a bit on Friday, however, suffering a 63-35 loss to another of the Shore's top teams from Neptune (6-0). While Jennah Fisher and Annie Farrow each scored 10 for the Spartans in defeat, they simply could not match up with the athletic Scarlet Fliers.

Ocean will be tested again on Friday, when the Spartans host a very good Freehold Borough team that is 4-1 in the early going.

Among the local boys'teams that are off to good starts are the Monmouth Regional Golden Falcons, the Rumson-Fair Haven Bulldogs and the Red Bank Catholic Caseys.

Monmouth Regional, ranked second in the Shore, improved to 5-0 on Friday with a lopsided 71-31 win over Wall Township, led by Joe Willman's 18 points and Brant Shelton's 15. Monmouth will travel to nearby Long Branch on Friday, before taking on RBC on Saturday in Red Bank.

RBC notched a clutch 76-74 overtime win over rival SJV on Saturday to improve to 3-2 on the young season. Junior guard Dickey Davis only had two points in the game, but he sure picked the right time to score them, converting on a driving lay-up with five seconds left in the extra session to secure the win. Dan Calandrillo led RBC with 23 points, helping his team score its third consecutive win after losing its first two games of the year. RBC took on Rumson-Fair Haven on Tuesday and will face Matawan tonight in their final tune-up before testing Monmouth on Saturday.

Meanwhile, RFH knocked off rival Shore Regional, 43-37, on Saturday to improve to 4- 2 on the young season. Mike Pillari scored a team-high 24 points, including 17 in the third quarter for the Blue Devils, but it was not enough to beat a Rumson team that was led by Mike Blumel's 16 points.

The Bulldogs have a tough weekend ahead, as they take on Manasquan on Friday at home, before hosting state power St. Anthony's of Jersey City on Saturday.