Hold’n Court: The HoopGroup Blogs

Today I will announce the HOOP GROUP ALL SHORE TEAMS. The girls listed on these teams in my opinion make up the best collection of player’s ever assembled in one county. How hard is it to make this list? Nine future Division one players did not make my first two teams. I would like to talk about how I choose my teams. Let me start by saying this. ALL Shore is an individual award, not a team award. This is about who had the best seasons as individuals. Now with that being said, let me say this. Winning counts in a big way! But I did not feel it was right to disregard a player’s achievements because they are on a bad team. Next I did not seek the advice of any coach. One coach did suggest to me that I reconsider the format for ALL SHORE and gave me a brilliant Idea which I will get to later. I did speak to a few trusted college coaches who attended many Shore Conference games. These coaches reminded me that 1.) Many coaches read my Blog to get names of the best players and that’s it! 2.) Coaches DO NOT CARE what I think when it comes to the recruiting process. They make up their own minds about kids after watching them play. I had one coach tell me they had no idea who Kristen Sharkey was until they read my Blog. BUT! They went to see her play themselves to decide if she was talented enough to play for their program. I believe these lists provide a starting point for some college coaches who have not heard of or seen a player play. MY BLOG DOES NOT DETERMINE WHETHER A KID WILL OR WILL NOT BE RECRUITED. College coaches make their own decisions on players and are rarely influenced by what non coaches like me write. I did a great deal of research on these players and some of the information was the deciding factor in two or three players regarding 1^st and 2^nd team. I would like to thank a personal friend whose name I will not mention for all of her help. She spent HOURS at a time gathering me information and was rewarded with only a Thank you! Last and most importantly I did not take the STATE TOURNAMENT into consideration when making my selections. I believe each team has a different road in the State Tournament and the better your team is the more chances you get. It no doubt hurts good players on bad teams. I am talking Shore Conference awards. That’s the way they do it in college and everywhere else for that matter. Post season is a whole different ball game. Now I will give you the criteria I used for selecting the HOOP GROUP ALL SHORE TEAMS
 
 
 
SELECTION CRITERIA FOR ALL SHORE
 
 
*Would your team’s record be drastically different without you?
 
*What where your Statistics against your 5 best opponents compared to the rest of your season?
 
*Did you make big plays in games that mattered this year?
 
*How did you perform on the 3 biggest stages of your season? (Battle of boardwalk, a big conference match up, SCT…etc)
 
*Is your value to the team only in the Stat Sheet? Did you play defense, rebound, get loose balls, take charges, make the extra pass or was it just about points? Meaning… are you a box score junkie?
 
*Do your opponents have to prepare for you in a special way?
 
*Do your stats lie? Meaning who are you scoring against and when do you score?
 
*What is your team’s record?
 
*Did your team get better as the season progressed?
 
*Are you a good teammate?
 
*Did you display good sportsmanship?
 
*PAST TRACK RECORD AND COLLEGE POTENIAL DO NOT MATTER*
 
 
 
Now about my ALL SHORE TEAM.  I did make one change this year. About two weeks ago I called a coach to ask them about an opposing player’s performance against their team. I was trying to decide if this player would make my 1^st of 2^nd team. I needed this bit of information. This coach asked why did I need the information and I explained why. Then this coach said something to me. This coach said,” Tiny, how can anyone with a straight face pick the five players in a year like this?” He then said to me why not make your 1^st and 2^nd teams 7 players.  He said if I wanted to be totally fair this is the way to go! Coach I couldn’t agree more because this is a very unique year and I agree 5 names are not possible. If I had time I could prove it. …and prove it easily. We had a dead heat with two players for my third team. So we had eight players on the third team! Rather than punish a player who played the entire season by removing her from my first team, I made Theresa Manigrasso an honorary member of my first team.
 
 
 
 
 
THE 2010 HOOP GROUP ALL SHORE TEAM

  1^ST TEAM ALL SHORE
 

 

SHAKENA RICHARDSON-JUNIOR-(GUARD)-NEPTUNE The ultimate point guard who led her team to a second straight SCT championship, while winning MVP for the 2 straight year in a row. The Kerwin Award winner is the total package. She leads her team either by scoring or setting up teammates for easy scores. Her performance in the SCT only added to her already proven reputation as a big game player. Her understanding of the game is second to none and many believe she is the top floor leader in the country. Coach Stringer and other top programs sit and wait for what may be one of the most important decisions on the east coast for many programs! Where she will attend college! As one Big East asst coach said to me “This young lady will win at least one national championship before she is done”. Big words for such a small girl to live up too!
  
 
SY DAVIS-JUNIOR-(GUARD)-NEPTUNE - From day one of the high school basketball this season, Sy Davis may have been the most consistent player in the state. She has been great all year. Her performances against ranked teams this year was almost unbelievable. She may be the best two way player in the state. Nobody plays harder night in and night out. Now that she has developed a nice perimeter game, she at times is unstoppable. She has been known to guard all 5 positions in the same game. Along with Richardson, she has formed what many believe is the best backcourt in high School basketball if not ever! She will be part on an intense recruiting battle waged by Big East and ACC schools. The winner will get a player with a HUGH upside as well she will not turn 16 until July. She will be only 16 when she plays her final high school game next year!
 
 
 
SAM CLARKE-SOPHOMORE-(CENTER)-ST. ROSE HIGH SCHOOL-She has turned St. Rose into a state power in two years. Her mother was a hall of fame player at Monmouth University. Her uncle Billy Paterno was a former star at Notre Dame. Her other uncle’s played at Marist and Fordham University respectfully. She may out do all of them. On a bad night she recorded double doubles. Her performance at the battle of the board took the breath away from every college coach in the stands. She rose to every occasion this year. Be it out playing other great centers or having her team come out on top! She is blessed with great passing skills and shooting ability up to 25 feet but it’s her defense that shocks so many college coaches. Her ability to rotate on defense to help teammates and still be able to get back and rebound the ball is something to behold. Her 1 half performance against Southern in the SCT may have been the performance of the year. She will most likely be the most recruited post player on the east coach in two years…It almost sounds strange that she will not wear a college uniform for 3 years.
 
MEGHAN McGUINESS - (GUARD) – MIDDLETOWN SOUTH- No player on this first team showed up more time in big games than Miss McGuinness. Despite being the defensive focal point of every team she played against, Meghan was sensational most nights. At one point we gave real thought to just naming the player of the week award in her honor as she won it 3 straight weeks. Her performances against Rumson, Southern, state ranked Bridgewater and near upset of Colts Neck allowed Middletown South to end the season in the top 5 in the Shore Conference and at one time be ranked in the top 20. McGuinness who is blessed with sneaky quickness and a gifted ability to score make her very special.  She at times this year carried most of the Middletown South offense on her back. She may be the most improved player over the past 2 years. She no doubt will make some division one school’s day. All the mid majors have her on their target, but here is a little tip for the academic schools, Miss McGuinness is an A+ student. 
 
 
BROOKE HAMPTON- SENIOR-(GUARD)-COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL- Brooke battled back from injuries last year to have a great season. Despite a new coach and new system she was great all year. The term box score junkie does not apply here. She beat teams in so many ways. It could be with passing or scoring. Then this year she picked up her defensive game. Her performance in the SCT was a going away present to the Shore Conference fans. She brought her full artillery. She scored in every way. She made passes few can and then she got into a full blown shootout with Shakena Richardson that people are still talking about. Now she will move on to West Virginia and run their program for the next four years. She is no doubt one of the best 4 year players in Shore Conference History. She was a true leader and most importantly did it on the biggest stages against the best competition gunning for her!
 
 
LAUREN CLARKE- SENIOR – (GUARD)-COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL-One of the best big game players’ in the Shore Conference, Lauren Clarke again this year delivered the goods. She will leave Colt Neck as the schools all time leading scorer and Lord knows how many asst and free throws this girl ended her career with. The Brown University bound senior found herself hounded all year, but found ways to score all season. No player in the SC got to the free throw line more against great teams. ..Go check it out! She along with Brooke Hampton formed what many believe will be the best backcourt Colts Neck will every see. Her defensives skills were over looked until the SCT against SJV and her passing skills showed she was more than a one trick pony. She is the best pure shooting guard in the Shore Conference and maybe the State. She must be considered a Player of the year Candidate for her body of work thought out the season. Brown University has pulled off one the biggest heists since the brinks robbery!
 
 
JACKIE KATES- JUNIOR-(GUARD) - ST JOHN’S VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL-Miss Kates dare I say is the best true point guard in the state. She beats pressure single handily at times and then applies it on defense. Her assist to turnover ratio is amazing. When you consider she has the ball in her hand many times the entire game for Coach Karpell. When Theresa Manigrasso went down many thought the Lancers were in trouble. Not so as Kates changed her game and became a big time scorer as her performance at Rumson showed. Blessed with great vision and lightning quick with the ball, she is the key to the SJV machine. She found Repoli open so many times this year in transition and on dribble drive kicks it almost seems like a movie being repeated over and over! Here is a question to ponder. Take Jackie Kates off the SJV roster and how many players does it affect? Get the picture! She proves that points are not the true measure of a player. She can score when she needs to, but it’s her leadership and understanding of her teammates strengths that make her special! She is being recruited by the Patriot schools and Ivy’s and other academic schools, but it is not a slam dunk! This young lady may decide to play for the big boys…her brother is a valedictorian so it may be a stretch.
 
 
* Theresa Manigrasso is an honorary member of the FIRST TEAM ALL SHORE. Once again her body of work prior to her injury had her on track not only for first team ALL SHORE but also to be a player of the year candidate

 
 
2^ND TEAM ALL SHORE

CHIRSTA EVANS-JUNIOR-(CENTER)-JACKSON MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL
She led Jackson to the best record in the schools’ history. Her performance in the 2nd half of a loosing effort to St. Rose proved she is the real deal. Academic and Big East schools will chase her.
 
 
SEMONYEH ALLEN-SENIOR-(SWING)-NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL
The unsung hero of the great Neptune team has had some big moments this year. She was outstanding in the SCT and will play at a Major College School one day!
 
 
KRISTEN SHARKEY-SENIOR-(CENTER)-SOUTHERN HIGH SCHOOL
Not blessed with the talent around her as other top players. She along with Hodgson formed what many believe was the best frontline in the SC. She will be an immediate impact at the University of Buffalo.
 
 
MICHAELA MABREY-SOPHOMORE-(GUARD)-MANASQUANN HIGH
The most explosive offensive player the Shore Conference has seen in years. Despite double and triple teams she delivered all year. She single handedly kept Manasquan in games! If her team played in a different division, they would have won many more games and she may have been a POY candidate. She amassed her numbers against the best competition the shore has to offer.  She will one day play for a top college program.
 
 
KATIE O’RELLY-JUNIOR-(GUARD) - ST. JOHN’S VIANNEY
The best defender in the SC has now become an offensive force and with her size and length she is one of the toughest players to matchup with in the SC. She was recently named MVP of the State Tourney.
 
 
MISSY REPOLI-JUNIOR-(GUARD)-ST. JOHN’S VIANNEY HIGH SCHOOL
One of the true big game shooters in the Shore Conference, She is a prime time scorer. Big East programs and Academic schools are already in the hunt for her services. She is a fearless competitor and looks to help SJV to another TOC title.
 
 
 
SAM GUASTELLA-JUNIOR-(FORWARD)-RED BANK CATHOLIC
One of the most improved players in the SC this year. She battled opposing teams as RBC’s only true post player. She led the young RBC team to a Top Ten Ranking, while proving to be a great shot blocker and scorer. Mid Major Division one school’s will fight for her signature next year.
 
 
 
3rd TEAM ALL SHORE

ALLISON SWEENEY-SENIOR-(GUARD)-ST. ROSE HIGH SCHOOL
She became one of the best swing players in the Shore Conference and was the MVP of the battle of the boardwalk.
 
 
CHYNA GOLDEN-JUNIOR-(CENTER) - NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL
 
The missing piece to Neptune National ranking and SCT Championship run. Already being recruited by Big East Schools
 
 
ASHLEY COOPER- JUNIOR-(GUARD)-NEPTUNE HIGH SCHOOL
She stepped her game up against Shabazz in the State tourney and was MVP of the WOBM. She is being watched by Division I Schools such as Louisville and Vanderbilt.
 
 
STEPHANIE CARDAMONE-SENIOR-(GUARD)-FREEHOLD TWP
The hardest working girl in the business, Stephanie will take her game to Division 1 Bryant University Next year. She helped Freehold remain competitive all year.
 
 
KATHRYN CAMPBELL-SENIOR-(GUARD)-WALL TWP HIGH SCHOOL
She will leave Wall Twp as the schools all time leading scorer and one of the most underappreciated players ever!
 
 
DANA COSTELLO-SENIOR-(GUARD) - JACKSON MEMORIAL
The tough hard nosed guard along with Christa Evans re-wrote the record books for Jackson. Dana will play division 1 soccer in college.
 
TIFFANY DeTULIO-SENIOR-(GUARD)-COLTS NECK HIGH SCHOOL
The scoring guard has been one of the best shooters in the SC for years! Often overlooked but never forgotten by CN fans…BLT LIVES FOREVER!
 
NICOLE LENTINI-SENIOR-GUARD- RARITAN HIGH SCHOOL
She made herself into one of the best scorers in the SC. Now she will attend division 1 NEC Runner- up Long Island University on a full scholarship. By the way I did call this in the pre season…lol
 
 
 
 
THOUGHTS ABOUT THE HOOP GROUP 2010 ALL SHORE TEAM
First let me congratulate all the girls who made our ALL SHORE TEAM. To make one of these teams is special. Because making ALL SHORE in this conference is almost impossible. I have counted nine future division one players not on this list of the players of the 3 teams 18 have been offered or signed with a division one team. I think it’s safe to say no one high school conference in the country is close to that number
I struggled with a few things during this 2 week long process. Yes I put that much time into my research. I felt very good at the end of the day and sat on my list for 5 days to be comfortable with my choices. Some fans of players will disagree with my choices, some may want to move Mabrey and Evans to first team for example, who could say they would be wrong. I felt most of the first team was interchangeable except two players. My thought process was when all was equal in my mind; the player’s team record came into play. 2^nd and 3^rd team was very easy I tired to make a case for all my players on 3^rd team to move up to 2^nd team but couldn’t find one based on my very own criteria. Last they were some very good players left off this list. I wanted have an honor roll but having picked seven kids on each team, I felt covered enough ground.
 
 
 
 
ONCE AGAIN THE 2010 HOOP GROUP ALL SHORE TEAM
 
 
                 1^ST TEAM ALL SHORE

SHANKENA RICHARDSON-Neptune High School
SY DAVIS-Neptune High School
BROOKE HAMPTON-Colts Neck High School
LAUREN CLARKE- Colts Neck High School
MEGAN McGUINNESS- Middletown South High School
SAMANTHA CLARK- St.Rose High school
JACKIE KATES-St. John’ Vianney
 
 
 
 
             2^nd TEAM ALL SHORE
Christa Evans-Jackson Memorial High SCHOOL
Semonyeh Allen-Neptune High School
Missy Repoli-St. John’s Vianney
Katie O’Reilly- St. Johns Vianney
Kristen Sharkey- Southern High School
Michaela Mabrey- Manasquan High School
Sam Guastella- Red Bank Catholic high School
 
 

 
             3^{rd TEAM ALL SHORE}
Ashley Cooper- Rumson Fairhaven High School
Allison Sweeny- St. Rose High School
Chyna Golden- Neptune High School
Nicole Lentini- Raritan High School
Tiffany DeTulio- Colts Neck High School
Kathryn Campbell- Wall Twp High School
Dana Costello- Jackson Memorial High School
Stephanie Cardamone- Freehold Twp High School
                                               
 
 
NEXT WEEK COACH THE YEAR-MOST IMPROVED PLAYER-UP AND COMING PLAYER- MY CLASS TEAMS (freshman, sophomore, Junior and raising senior teams)
 
 
 

When the brackets were released and it was all said and done I ended up getting 64 out of 65 teams correct in the NCAA field.  Could I have done better?  Sure.  But, I am still not in full agreement that Virginia Tech (my last team in) should have been left out over Florida (my first team out).  Florida getting a 10 seed is a bit ridiculous.  I understand why Virginia Tech may have been left out and if you had been reading my blogs the last couple months you may remember this snippet from one of them…

The “Wait, We scheduled who?” team of the week (team who will regret scheduling a certain someone at the end of the season)  Virginia Tech.  The Hokies are a stellar 18-4 overall and have a solid 5-3 record in the ACC.  Their 4 losses this year came to Temple (in the Philly Hoop Group Classic), @ North Carolina, @ Florida State and @ Miami (FL).  I don’t consider any of these losses as being really bad.  They took care of business at home this last week by defeating UNC and Clemson in Blacksburg.  But why, you ask, does this team remain on the bubble?  The answer is…UMBC (RPI of 340) and NC-Central (RPI of 347).  I can’t completely knock them for scheduling UMBC because nobody knew they were going to be this bad and they did make the NCAA tournament two years ago, but playing against NC-Central is just mind boggling.  This team won a total of 6 Division 1 games the last 2 years combined.  So, coaches, I tell you this when scheduling before the season…if you think your team has ANY chance of making the NCAA tournament do not schedule teams you KNOW will be at the bottom of the RPI.  You are better off playing a Non-D1 opponent.  If you think you are an NIT team at best, then yes, schedule the NC-Central’s of the world and rack up those W’s.  I am not knocking Virginia Tech because many teams in the nation schedule poorly, I am merely using them as an example.  We shall see if the RPI is the reason they miss out of the NCAA’s.  My advice to the Hokies:  Keep winning in the ACC and you won’t have to worry.     

 

Virginia Tech ended up finishing 10-6 in the ACC with wins over Wake Forest, Clemson and at Georgia Tech.  It’s funny how a team that finishes 7-9 in a conference (Georgia Tech) gets in over a team that finishes 10-6.  I know there’s unbalanced scheduling and all, but the fact that Virginia Tech won AT Georgia Tech a little over a week ago should have held some bearing.  It comes down to Va Tech not having the better overall quality wins than Florida and the fact that Virginia Tech’s non conference schedule was brutal.  I’m not happy that I was incorrect, but I can’t complain too much.  It’s funny because at 10pm on Saturday night I had Florida in my field as my last team in.  Then, when Utah State lost in their championship game I made them an at-large team and removed Florida.  If Utah State would have won I probably would have been perfect.  Oh well.

I thought that West Virginia should have been the #1 seed over Duke.  Better resume, better conference, better eye test team.

While I’m not entirely happy with my performance overall, for the 3rd straight year I defeated Joe Lunardi from ESPN (who had just 27 exact seeds).

So, as I said before, I got 64 out of 65 correct…34 teams seeds exact….21 teams seeds off by 1….6 teams seeds off by 2….1 teams seed off by 3….and 2 teams seeds off by 4

Fun Facts

The Utah State “Aggies” will face the Texas A&M “Aggies”

The Clemson “Tigers” will face the Missouri “Tigers”

West Virginia assistant coach Billy Hahn will be playing in Buffalo…the same place his son Matt, assistant coach at Vermont, will be playing…however, they are not in the same region

West Virginia will be playing Morgan State…West Virginia is located in “Morgantown”

Pittsburgh is facing Oakland…Oakland is the neighborhood in which Pitt is located.  The Pitt student section is known as the “Oakland Zoo.”

Syracuse will face Vermont in round 1.  Remember when Vermont beat Cuse in the 1st round a few years ago?  Yeah, it won’t happen again.

Kris Joseph (Syracuse) will be facing his brother Maurice Joseph (Vermont) in round 1.

The Midwest Region is absolutely stacked:  Kansas, Ohio State, Georgetown, Maryland, Michigan State, Tennessee?  Wow.  How bout making the regions a little more even committee?

Texas is an 8 seed.  Two months ago they were the #1 team in the country.

If Sam Houston State happens to shock the world and win 2 games, they will be playing in the regionals in Houston.

Is it possible that we can have an all Big East Final Four?  It is not likely, but it can happen.  Syracuse, West Virginia, Villanova and Georgetown would make for one heck of a Final Four.  Georgetown’s road is clearly the most difficult.

Time to make our picks!

Click here to view my post selection sunday Facts & Bracks results

      

Here are the results of all 83 bracketologists…I finished tied for 9th overall

http://bracketproject.50webs.com/matrix_2010.htm

 

We have finally reached Selection Sunday.  Here are my final projections before the Selection Show.   

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY FINAL FACTS & BRACKS

My last 4 teams in:  Minnesota, Utah State, UTEP, Virginia Tech

My first 4 teams out:  Florida, Illinois, Mississippi State, Rhode Island

I have made my decisions regarding my post season awards. I think I did as much research as possible regarding these choices and believe me I understand how much these awards mean to players and even coaches. I take them very seriously. As I told you earlier I did not seek the advice of Shore Conference coaches. The reasons why came out loud and clear after reading the Coaches’ All Shore teams/All Division teams posted on AllShoreMedia.net….It was Politics at it highest level. Let me explain what I mean. Sometimes coaches vote with an agenda. Their are many reasons why a coach may leave a player off a list. Let me give you a few. They simply may be jealous of another schools’ success or maybe they don’t want to put to many players from one team on a list. It could be because some coaches just read the box scores and look to see who scored the most in a game. Their reasons can be many. But this year was really ugly in my opinion. Coaches’ should be held accountable for their votes. This is the one area they can control! Personal issues and politics should not affect a player who has worked hard all year. It’s simple, did you have an awarding winning season or not? I have spoken to players in their 50’s who remember being left out of the post season awards and they are still disappointed by the politics that took place during their time. I have even spoken to players two and three years removed from high school that are still hurt by what took place during their high school experience in regards to post season awards.

 

 

 

Let me start with the All Shore Team. Please explain to me how Meghan McGuinness is not on either 1^st or 2^nd team All Shore? So you’re telling me players with worst stats on worst teams deserve to be on the first team ahead of her? I think not my friends! No player played bigger in big games as Meghan did all year. The fact is the coaches did not do their job in this case. Now, I also know that some coaches vote for kids in their area or division or maybe even some coaches what to give a nod to a senior over an underclassman. These reasons are not valid and hurt kids! I never believe in putting freshmen on any All Shore Team. Now that’s just me being old school. But not putting a player on a team who at one point was a player of the year candidate….That is a joke! And coaches picking by name recognition and politics is just plain wrong! A young lady works her tail off and is not rewarded. WHY?

 

 

 

They we get to the All Division teams or should I say the all political teams! First let me start with A Central. So there are 7 players in this division better that Missy Repoli? The A Central must be loaded with big time players considering Miss Repoli has a Big East offer on the table as I type….THAT IS A FACT PEOPLE!  Now would you like to see what Missy did in big games this year? Ok I won’t embarrass anyone. So let me guess what the real story is here. Kates and Manigrasso make first team. So the coaches don’t want to put a third SJV player on the first team? Makes sense RIGHT? What a joke. Now we get to the funniest thing of all. Katie O’Rielly is not one of the top 11 players in A Central? Right the very same player who was MVP last night in the Non Public State A Championship game. The very same player who was the Hoop Group Defensive player of the year, Give me a break. Don’t make me talk about how SJV beat many teams by 30 and 40 points this year so their player’s stats don’t show the real value of their players. The fact is that the coaches did not want to give SJV a 4^th player on the Divisional Teams. Then to top things off Theresa Manigrasso is not invited to the senior All Star Game. Did anyone call to see if she would able to play? Did anyone say lets make her an honorary member? Was it because the Jersey cost too much? These are terrible and shameful oversights that lead me to believe that many are JEALOUS of the success of the SJV program. I hope I am wrong about this.

 

 

 

Now let’s go to B north. Semonyeh Allen and Chyna Golden are not on the first team! Should we all start laughing now or later? Ok no disrespect intended here. If I am correct, Neptune beat the teams in this division by 30, 40, 50 and 60 points at times and that is with the subs playing half of the games. So Allen who made the coaches 2^nd team All Shore and Chyna Golden who has offers on the table from Seton Hall and Providence can’t make the 1^st team All B north. That’s right two future Major College players are not among the best 5 players in B north! I understand coaches want to share the wealth but it should not be at the expense of deserving players. This is not the way to do things, Allen is a senior who can’t go back and do it again next year. This was her last chance to make 1^st team All Division. So when you hear the Neptune fans yell they get no respect and are not treated fairly, look no further than right here.

 

 

 

 

Now let’s go to the funniest voting of all, B Central. It’s clear some coaches did not see St. Rose play this year. Now we know they beat all of the teams in this division by 30-50 points every night. The second place team in this division lost to St. Rose in two games by an average of 32 pts! Yes, you heard that right, the second place team lost by a combined 65 points! So you can’t pay any attention to STATS! Kasey Chambers is not one of the best players in B Central? People they picked 14 players!!! and she was not chosen. Nicci Donahue is not one of the 14 best players? Both players are receiving Division 1 interest already! Is this a joke or what?….ok I’m done laughing now. So now coaches are picking All Division players based on how many points they score in blow out games. Fine that is a coach’s prerogative, but please don’t get upset about players playing for Stats and not for the team. Why? because you are sending the message loud and clear to kids…score, score, score and don’t worry about defense, loose balls, team work and other intangibles’ because scoring gets the awards. Coaches don’t be upset and complain when other coaches start leaving their starters in games when they are up 30 points. One, in order for their players to pad their stats and secondly to prevent your so called star from putting up numbers vs. the Subs! Why? Because the coaches are setting the grounds rules by just rewarding points in their voting….don‘t complain when a coach lets his starters SCORE in these lopsided games because you are the ones creating the criteria for post season awards.

 

 

 

Now I understand picking these awards is never easy. I am a former college basketball coach who has coached many girls who have won post season awards. I have been blessed to coach numerous NBA players as well. I think I know enough and have seen enough to know when a wrong has been done to kids. I am very passionate about kids who work hard being rewarded. It very rare for me to post this type of blog, but this is something that must be addressed. It affects too many people and hurts the deserving. All Shore is really is about opinions. But when mistakes like these are made, so many kids are affected long term. Believe me kids read this stuff and are hurt by it. There is a better way to acknowledge kids without hurting other kids. Make the list bigger or create honor rolls. The recent coaches’ voting is why I am glad we have Josh Newman. I don’t always agree with Josh but I know he does not play politics and more importantly he see’s more games that all of us combined. It’s a shame coaches don’t leave politics out of their selection. In closing, let me congratulate those who did make these teams. You will be able to tell you grandchildren and relatives of how your hard work has paid off!

 

 

Here are my latest Facts & Bracks updated through noon on Saturday morning.  There are still a couple spots to be claimed today.  Rhode Island, Minnesota, Illinois, Mississippi State and Washington could all use wins today to potentially fill in those last at large spots.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY FACTS & BRACKS

Here are my updated Facts & Bracks as of Friday morning.  There are now just two days left before Selection Sunday and a lot of movement can still take place. 

Bubble Games to Keep an eye on today…(teams that NEED to win are in bold)

Illinois/Wisconsin

Ole Miss/Tennessee

San Diego State/New Mexico

Minnesota/Michigan State

Rhode Island/Saint Louis

Dayton/Xavier

Florida/Mississippi State

Tulsa/UTEP

Louisiana Tech/Utah State

Stanford/Washington

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY FACTS & BRACKS UPDATED at NOON on Friday 3-12-10

The end of an era occurred Wednesday night. The best group of basketball players to wear a Colts Neck uniform said goodbye. They rode in the Shore Conference as freshman with so much expected of them and leave after taking us on a joy ride that we didn’t want to end.

 

 

 

John Turhan 4 years ago convinced 6 girls to say home and play at their local school. Their names are Brooke Hampton, Lauren Clarke, Emily Lawrence, Tiffany DeTulio, Brittney Howes and Leann Lanza. They never will be forgotten by any true basketball fan. These girls also have something in common that make them special. They had to over come many obstacles during their stay at Colts Neck. Many just saw the wins and yes there were many… 101 to be exact. But it was how they handled the non basketball issues that made them special.

 

 

 

Brooke Hampton came to Colts Neck as the most talked about freshman to enter the Shore Conference in the past 10 years. Many spoke of how she would be the greatest player in SC history; some told me she would be the best guard in the country one day. While many were talking and putting pressure on Brooke, she just played. She played like few have ever seen. She made the Asbury Press’s All Shore team 3 years in a row; two times she was first team. I am going to take a real leap and say this year will make it four in a row…lol.  She led her team quietly. She never bragged or claimed to be the best at anything. It was others who used these words, she talked about playing! She just wanted to be the best she could be. I have to believe at times it must have hurt her to have to live up to others expectations. But she has survived and it will make her better in the long run. It’s better to have been loved than to never have been loved at all…so many people love Brooke Hampton. She will move on to West Virginia next year and not as much will be expected of her right away. She will be given a chance to be like everyone else. She will finally get a chance to play and not have her every move watched. Brooke Hampton has been special and her Uniform number will never be worn again. That to me is the way it should be for a young lady who has shown so much grace and class, under so much pressure…it wasn’t easy but you did it Brooke!

 

 

 

 

Lauren Clarke came to Colts Neck as what many would describe as a good player. Nobody expected her to be an all time great. She was supposed to be Brooke Hamptons’ robin. She never fully got the credit she deserved as a player. She was never given the credit for being a great passer; nobody ever talked how she got to the free throw line more than any guard in the Shore. They never talked about her defense. Some people wanted to put her in a box and claim she was only a shooter. She played in the Shadow of her fellow backcourt mate Brooke Hampton but it was she who will leave as the schools all time leading scorer and near the top of the assist list. Some felt by acknowledging Lauren, that it some how took it away from Brooke Hampton. I will never understand this! But she and Brooke never let that get in the way of their friendship and great play together on the court. She has been ALL SHORE two years running and this year will make it three. Miss Clarke will attend BROWN UNIVERSITY. Do I have to say anything else about this young lady? Message to the Brown University coaching staff, you got the steal of a lifetime. It always hurt me that Lauren truly never got her full due. What else more could Lauren Clarke have done on and off the court? It’s story time now, when I was picking my POY pick last year. I thought Lauren had one of the best years of any player in the SC. My thoughts were Lauren Clarke, Danielle Pankey and Katelyn Linney. I choose Linney, when I told my daughter this, she called me a hypocrite. She told me I knew Lauren deserved the award but was too afraid to pick her because people thought I favored her. I have thought about that often. I hope Candice is wrong about that! I like Lauren Clarke because she is everything a kid is supposed to be. She never let other people’s feeling get hers mixed up…She knew she was special all the time, it just took some people longer to see that!

 

 

 

 

Tiffany DeTulio came to Colts Neck as a forgotten soul. She could have taken the easy route and went to a different school. Trust me Clarke and Hampton scared away a lot of good players. Many felt they would never see the light of day. Tiffany could be some schools all time leading scorer right now. Instead she wanted to be part of something special. She has now accomplished that. She scored 1000 pts on one of the best teams in Shore Conference History, yet never made ALL SHORE. You may be asking, can that really be true? Well that is a fact; she lived in the shadows of Hampton and Clarke. Rutgers assoc Head Coach Carlene Mitchell from Rutgers University said to me at battle of the boardwalk “some mid-major is going to get a nice player in that girl”. Much like everything else in Miss DeTulio basketball career she is being overlooked. Many division 1 schools have signed players who could not carry her gym bag. She never was a political player, she was quiet and didn’t self promote. She simply played basketball to the best of her ability. She has been one of the best guards in the Shore Conference and many people forget this! This is a young lady that won numerous MVP’s at tournaments including this year’s battle of the boardwalk. She allowed Hampton and Clarke to shine while she stood in the background. Why? Because winning and team chemistry was more important than her personal goals. She will not be forgotten by CN fans and teammates. She did everything that was asked of her and still managed to be a good teammate and a great player.

 

 

 

 

 

Emily Lawrence was getting ready to have her break out season this year. College coaches were buzzing. In April I called her former Coach John Turhan and told him I was getting so many calls about Lawrence. She was playing great; she was playing with the Neptune girls on an AAU team. Things were really looking good for Emily. She had begun to knock down 3 point shots, she was playing defense and of course she played hard. Everything was in place for a great player to BLOW UP. Then she got hurt and had to sit out the summer. She made it back this season. But in the world of sports, players get forgotten quickly. She came back slowly and had a great year. Her last High School game showed what she could do and what she will be. No doubt this is a young lady with a big future. She will attend some college and be a great player. She also knows something was taken from her this summer….Exposure! But she has overcome all of that and now she is part of the best team Colts Neck High School may every have! She may have come to CN quietly by she left in a roar!

 

 

 

 

Brittney Howes is quiet and tough as nails. She was one of the best post players in the Shore and nobody brought her name up except in passing. Yet Division 1 schools like St. Peters know who she is. She got better every year. She understood playing on a team dominated by guards gave her few chances to showcase her skills. Yet she played her role and watched her team WIN. This year she was sidelined for half the season. But there she was at every game rooting her teammates on. Without her, Colts Neck doesn’t even come close to being the Giant Program it became. She now will move on to college. The college game always needs post players. People will see a dominate post player at the next level. She has all the tools and it will come together for her! We never appreciated Brittney and we never gave her enough love…now we will miss her!

 

 

 

 

Leann Lanza is a rough and tumble kind of player. She does little things and doesn’t expect a whole lot in return. If Brittney Howes was forgotten, then we never knew Leann. Well when Brittney Howes got hurt, who do you think was doing all the rebounding? Who was guarding the great centers in the SC? Who was setting all those picks for the guards? Well it wasn’t the man on the Moon. It was Miss Lanza and I’m telling you she is a big talent. She has an upside that is scary. Some college is sitting on a gold mine. This kid just plays hard all the time. She loves her roll and more importantly, helping her teammates win. Basketball is more than the player who scores the most points. It’s a team game and Leann knows this. She just wishes more people would understand this. I remember I left her out of one of my scouting reports. I was so embarrassed and felt she deserved better than that. I guess she has come to understand that her coaches and teammates understand who and what she is all about ….winning and doing little things for her teammates!

 

 

 

 

The Colts Neck senior class is special for more than just wins and loses. I will tell you why! This is a group of girls who decided to stay and play for their local high school team. They choose to build something special. It’s easy to be part of something already in place, but it’s much harder to build something. Next these young ladies never let media attention affect their relationships. So often teammates fight for the spotlight and it ruins a good team. These girls all stuck together for 4 years. Lastly what really made them who and what they are…was Character! These girls never complained when they lost their great coach, the one who convinced them all to be part of something special. Somebody asked me how important is a coach? Well when you play for one coach for 3 years, then have to change in your senior year? How would you like it? Well these girls gave Coach Healy all they had. It would have been nice to get back and win the TOC this year. They could have given a thousand excuses and many of them would have been valid. But in some strange way, they all knew it was more than another TOC chance….when they asked Lauren Clarke through her tears how she felt; she said she wasn’t crying because they lost. She was crying because she loved playing with her teammates and would miss that the most….Lauren don’t cry! Trust me. You will always be teammates forever and ever! We are the ones that

Today I will announce The HOOP GROUP ALL DEFENSIVE TEAMS and our ALL FRESHMAN TEAM. I believe the all defensive teams were not easy to pick. The Shore Conference is loaded with great defensive players. The Shore Conference also had a strong freshman class. Let me explain a few things I did when selecting my teams. Unlike with my ALL SHORE TEAMS that I have already picked, but won’t release until I feel 100% positive about, I did seek out advice. I spoke to coaches I respected and more importantly felt did not have an agenda. I also made special note when a college coach spoke of a player’s defensive ability. Then of course I have seen most of the teams with quality player’s play. When making these teams please kept in mind. I could care less how many players are from the best teams. I did not try and spread things out. I simply tried to get the best players. Now remember the more you see a team. The more you may feel a player is a better defender than some one you see less. This is where a few coaches and friends come into play. The all freshman team was a cake walk. Some good freshman never got extended minutes during the season. This allowed some freshman on weaker teams to shine a bit more. Once again I based everything on the Shore Conference regular season.

 

 

 

 

 

2010 HOOP GROUP ALL DEFENSIVE TEAMS
 

 

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ALL DEFENSIVE TEAM
 

 

 

Many people don’t understand what a good defensive player is! Many times people will think the best defensive player is the person who blocks the most shots or gets the most steals. Believe it or not, sometimes these are the worst defensive players. The best defensive players understand team defense. They know when to rotate; they understand defense ends with the rebound, so they box out. Good defensive players know when to switch on defense. Then understand when to help and more importantly when not to! They are able to follow a coach’s defensive game plan. Then last and most important, the BEST defensive players can guard more than one position without fouling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  FIRST TEAM
 

 

1.) SAM CLARK-(ST.ROSE) - Her ability to rotate and help teammates was at times amazing. She is one of the best defensive rebounder’s in the state. All year she answered the bell against the best opposing post players. Her foot work and ability to use her hands are shocking for such a young player. Rarely was she in found trouble. She is one of the few post players that truly understands team defense. This is very rare in such a young player!

 

 

 

 

2.) Sam Guastella-(RBC) - Her shot blocking ability may be the best in the STATE! What most people did not notice was her transition defense. This may be her biggest strength. Very rarely did you see opponents’ big players get lay-ups in transition against her! She was the lone post player and did almost all of RBC’s defensive rebounding!

 

 

 

 

3.) Katie O’Reilly-(SJV) - Not only was she a stopper of great offensive players, her length in the SJV presses was invaluable. See too was a great defensive rebounder. She guarded forwards, guards and even centers!

 

 

 

 

4.) Sy Davis-(NEPTUNE) - The most physical guard in the SHORE CONFERNCE. She defended all 5 positions at times this year. Her ability to cover so much ground in the Neptune press was eye popping at times. She was the best defensive rebounding guard in the SHORE CONFERENCE.

 

 

 

 

5.) JACKIE KATES-(SJV) - The ultimate pressure guard. She made opposing guards fall apart against her ball pressure. She sat in the back of SJV press and covered everyone. In the SJV man to man pressure, she was relentless and aggressive. She won the loose ball battle every night. No guard in the SHORE CONFRENCE rotated to post players better than Miss Kates…

 

 

 

*Theresa Manigrasso would have been on my ALL DEFENSIVE FIRST TEAM. So I am making her an honorary Member of this first team. I believe she played enough games to be part of this team!

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECOND TEAM
 

 

1.) Ashley Cooper-(RHF) - Her Length made her very effective in RFH’s 1-3-1 half court defensive. She also was a great defensive rebounder for a guard. Most nights she guarded the opposing teams’ best offensive player. Tough and aggressive it must not be forgotten she turned the lights out on two of the SHORE CONFERNCE’S best scoring wing players this year!

 

 

 

 

2.) Semonyeh Allen-(NEPTUNE) - She was the ultimate match up nightmare for teams. She anchored the front of Neptune’s the 1-3-1 half court press and was a nightmare for guards. Her ability to play forwards and guards allowed Coach Brown to move her to any position. She was the ultimate defensive rebounder.  Allen was a major weapon for Neptune on defense.

 

 

 

3.) Kaityln Schmidt-(HOWELL) - She may have been the best on the ball defender in the SHORE CONFERENCE.  She created problems all year for opposing pt guards and shooting guards. She was a master at running down long loose balls, a long forgotten art on defense by small guards today. Kaityln was very disruptive to many teams offense this year. She played bigger than her size and is a game changer on defense.

 

 

 

 

4.) Amanda Yaccarino-(RFH) - She closed the door on many of the SHORE CONFERENCE’S best post players. She was a very physical player who doubted and rotated to opposing post players as well as anyone. She also may have been the best defensive rebounder in traffic the SHORE CONFERENCE had to offer!

 

 

 

 

5.) Shakena Richardson-(NEPTUNE) - Her quick hands and lighting quick feet allowed her to pick off passes all year. Her strength allowed her to bully bigger guards all year. She ran down loose balls and most important was great at switching and helping her teammates

 

 

 

 

Honorable Mention
 …Kerri Kinsella, Lauren Clarke, KC Chambers, Aaron Zimmerman and Dana Costello

 

 

 

 

 

HOOP GROUP 2010 DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
 

 

The name blanket woman or sand woman may be the proper way to describe her. She is the Mariano Riviera of girl’s basketball. She closes the door on great offensive players with such domination it’s a thing of beauty.  She shut down some of the elite scorers in the SHORE CONFERNCE all season.  In the front of her teams press or in the back line of the SJV press she caused havoc in a big way. When she was involved in traps forget it, opposing guards had no chance. She was a true stopper because she could guard all five positions. She also did something all great defenders can do, play defense without getting into foul trouble. Her defensive rebounding ability is only matched by her physical toughness. She was not afraid to throw her body around. You need a presence in the lane? She is your woman; she will take charges or give you the hard clean foul that all good teams give! She has gone from role player last year to one of the most compete players in the Shore Conference. Congratulations’ to the… 2010…HOOP GROUP… DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR….ST JOHN’S VIANNEY’S….5’11”…JUNIOR …..KATIE O’REILLY.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THE HOOP GROUP 2010 ALL FRESHMAN TEAM
 

 

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE ALL FRESHMAN TEAM
 

 

The all freshman team was a cake walk this year. These 5 five players played major roles for their teams. They all did something very important! They fit into their new teams without being disruptive. Not an easy thing to do. I expect all five to be great players before they are done. I also believe all 5 of these ladies may play division one basketball one day!

 

 

 

 

ALL FRESHMAN TEAM
 

 

 

1.) HANNAH MISSRY-(JACKSON MEMORIAL) - She was given the green light by Coach Rachel Goodale and delivered in a big way. She was Jackson’s go to player on many nights…NOT EASY FOR A FRESHMAN! She gave Jackson the 3 point scoring threat they needed to give Christa Evans room to work. She was a walking double figure scorer. When she learns to handle the ball a little better she will be unstoppable. Smart and savvy she is a future First Team ALL Shore player.

 

 

 

 

2.) TARA INMAN-(HOMDEL) - Maybe the most rounded player of the freshman class. She was great on defense and had the ability to score. She developed a 3 point shot as the season moved on. Most importantly she had her best games against the best competition.

Her passing skills cannot be over looked. She also has the ability to play all three guards positions on either side of the ball. Blessed with great size and sneaky quickness, she has helped Holmdel become a real player in the SHORE CONFERENCE again! She is a player that must be reckoned with for years to come.

 

 

 

 

3.) KELLY HUGHES-(PT. BORO) - No freshman had more pressure and eyes on her than Miss Hughes. She had a target on her back from game one. But it didn’t matter she delivered the goods all year. She had scoring nights that would make many coaches blush. She has established herself as a real star in the SHORE CONFERENCE. Pt Boro thanks to Kelly Hughes is a young and exciting program. No freshman did more for a program this year!

 

 

 

 

4.) KAT EGAN-(SJV) - She seem to come out of nowhere. She was asked to fill some big shoes this year. Not only did she fill those shoes but she did more at times. Kat’s passing and rebounding skills were on display all year and her sneaky ability to score was forgotten. But it was her toughness and ability not to get rattled in big games that separated her and follow teammate Lindsey Rowe from all others. She had to do it on a big stage against big competition. She is a future star and like all SJV will get better each year!

 

 

 

 

5.) LINDSEY ROWE-(SJV) - She too is a future star in the SHORE CONFERENCE. She has the ability to score and more importantly against good competition. Lindsey was also great in Coach Karpell’s pressure defense. She handled all the pressure that comes with playing on a great team like a seasoned veteran. No doubt she is a future star in the mode of Kaityln Linney. She can score from all angles and makes big plays. A future All Shore Player!

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010 HOOP GROUP FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR
 

 

 

Well this will not come as a surprise to anyone. She may be the best shooter I have ever laid eyes on. As one coach told me “Her understanding of the game is what makes her special”. An ACC coach told me “give me 5 Kelly Hughes and I will play anyone” As former Siena Asst coach Steve Ott told me at battle of the boardwalk. “Kelly Hughes doesn’t have to take a shot and you just know she is special, just by the way she plays”. She is already on the radar for so many schools, they are even recruiting her little sister. That my friends are no joke! Her passing skills get lost in her great scoring ability. She respects her opponents as she told me recently how great of a defender Katie O’Rielly was! She understands her teammates are important. Watch her over pass late in games to let teammates get into the action. She respects all coaches and most important loves the game. Her shooting range is only matched by her desire to improve. She now will try and win a state championship as a freshman. She has answers all questions with unselfish and star like quality basketball all season. She is a future player of the year candidate! Congratulations to the…. 2010 HOOP GROUP… FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR…PT BORO’S….5’9”….FRESHMAN….KELLY HUGHES.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OVERALL THOUGHTS
 

 

Once again picking the best at anything is just an opinion. Your list may be different. I believe no one person knows all these kids so well that they can say their opinion is the only right one. These just happen to be my choices. I know some really good players have been left off this list. Rachel Iozzia of Central Reg should be on an ALL FRESHMAN list and I know Coach Turhan will not be happy that I excluded a girl who broke the schools 3 point shooting record and lead his team in scoring. But here are the facts, I watched the other freshman on this list many more times this season. So this young lady is at a major disadvantage. Christa Evans am sure is laughing no doubt that she is not on this list! The problem is you can’t choose everyone…Last to the players, I say this…. if you know you’re as good as someone on this list. Use my blog as motivation and work even harder. I know some good players are not on this list….rise above my oversight and reach for the stars, you can do it…JUST BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! This is way more important than anything I write!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are now less than one week away from Selection Sunday.  We are now one day removed from the Academy Awards.  So, I decided to do a little Facts & Bracks Oscars style for today.  I lined up all of the movies that were up for best picture and put the proper teams into each category.  I will start off by giving the “Most Inspirational Performance” Award followed by all of the “Best Picture” Awards.  I would have been able to finish this a lot quicker if there were only 5 nominees (like there used to be) for best picture as opposed to the ridiculous number of 10…but hey, what can you do?  A special shout out goes to my younger brother and aspiring film writer/director, Charlie Wachtel, for giving me the idea for this blog.   

Remember to click here or anywhere you see “Facts & Bracks” to view my entire NCAA tournament projections for today.

 

And now, onto the awards…

 

Most Inspirational Performance - Austin Freeman (Georgetown) - Just a few days after being diagnosed with diabetes, John Thompson III shocked Hoya Nation by not only playing the Junior, but inserting him in the starting lineup.  That was all Georgetown fans needed to see to be inspired, but it didn’t end there.  Austin Freeman went on to be Georgetown’s leading scorer with 24 points in an all out romp over Cincinnati on Saturday.  Hoya fans were inspired, yet also relieved to see him back to playing like he’s an All Big East 2nd team player.  Georgetown needs him because without Free they are just average.  If you follow Georgetown and Austin Freeman the rest of the way this year and don’t feel inspired then there is something wrong with you.  In fact, you would be like the Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz because you’d have no heart.  I’m not so sure if Georgetown is more than a Sweet 16 team this year, but the whole country should be rooting for this team, or at the very least Mr. Freeman, down the stretch and watch in “Awe” (stin Freeman).

 

And now, onto the nominees for Best Picture…

 

“Avatar” (teams feeling blue)

 

Illinois (18-13, 10-8 Big Ten) - A few weeks back I had blogged that even though the Illini were off to a strong start in conference play, they would begin to collapse because the last eight games in conference play were almost all against the top tier teams in the league.  Going along with the script, Illinois has currently lost 5 of their last 6 games and are not feeling so good about themselves.  They are so fortunate that they beat Michigan State and won @ Wisconsin a few weeks back because that is what is keeping them alive for an NCAA bid.  They also have very solid non conference wins this year at Clemson and at home against Vanderbilt.  Their RPI is hovering around 75 right now and that clearly is not a good thing.  Illinois remains alive because they have done more good than bad.  Having 13 losses is bad, but winning at Wisconsin is great because the Badgers never lose at home.  Wisconsin’s loss to Illinois at home was their only home loss on the year.  That’s impressive.  However, I advise Illinois to beat Wisconsin again in their 1st Big Ten tourney game to stay above water. 

Kansas State (23-6, 11-5 Big 12) - The Wildcats had an amazing opportunity in front of them to try and become that fourth #1 seed for the NCAA tournament.  However, with losses to Kansas and Iowa State, yes Iowa State, this week they are pretty much out of the conversation for that 1 seed.  There’s nothing wrong with losing to Kansas, but losing to Iowa State AT HOME just means that this team was having a real letdown following the Kansas loss and had a poor mindset heading into this game.  Kansas State has had a magnificent year and hopefully, for their sake, the slide won’t continue into the Big 12 tournament.

Georgia Tech (18-11, 7-9 ACC) - The Yellow Jackets just can’t seem to seal the deal and are not feeling very good about themselves with that under .500 conference record.  Ga Tech has key wins this year over Siena, Duke, Clemson and Wake Forest, but they have now lost 5 of their last 7 games and are in danger of getting an NCAA bid.  They are the 7 seed in the ACC tournament and get to play North Carolina in round 1.  Yes, UNC is struggling, but by no means is that a walkover win for the Yellow Jackets.  Their RPI is in the low to mid 40’s and have a top 20 strength of schedule.  Two wins in the ACC tourney will lock them up a bid.  One win?  Right now, I think that would get the job done too because of how bad the bubble is.  Any other year and this team would be saying their last rights.

 

“The Blind Side” (teams who had a rough start, but are now coming on strong)

 

Maryland (22-7, 13-3 ACC) - The Terrapins struggles began early this season way back when they played in Hawaii in the Maui Invitational.  Their only win in Maui happened to be against a non-division 1 opponent in Chaminade.  Maryland continued their shakiness about a month later when they lost at home to William & Mary.  I truly thought that this team was not an NCAA caliber team as I’m sure did many.  Then, all of a sudden, conference play began and the Terps came out of nowhere to tie Duke for 1st place in the regular season.  This has definitely been a down year for the ACC, but I won’t shed a negative light on what Maryland has accomplished this year…going from down, out, without a chance all the way to being a true winner.

Louisville (20-11, 11-7 Big East) - The Cardinals had a rough start to the season, but their troubles began at home in their own building.  Louisville lost to Western Carolina and Charlotte…apparently they had some sort of bug playing against teams from the state of North Carolina.  Rick Pitino’s Cardinals didn’t hit their stride in the season until really the middle of February.  They got smoked at St. John’s and many people questioned whether or not Louisville was an NCAA tournament team.  People stopped asking this question when they followed up their loss to the Johnnies with a monster victory at Syracuse.  They then went on to beat Syracuse again at home and all but clinched their spot in the Big Dance.  If you beat Syracuse once it shouldn’t be overlooked, but beating them twice?  Well, it just proves that Louisville can play with anybody in the country.

Notre Dame (21-10, 10-8 Big East) - Way back in mid-december the Fighting Irish had a horrendous loss to Loyola Marymount at home.  That loss doesn’t look as bad as it once did as Loyola Marymount has also beaten USC and Gonzaga.  Even still, Notre Dame is a team that doesn’t lose too often at home…and even moreso against non power conference teams.  So, Notre Dame kept trekking along the season, not really impressing anybody aside from their win at home over West Virginia.  Next thing you know, their best player, Luke Harangody, is injured and out for a while.  After ‘Gody’s injury, Notre Dame lost at home to St. John’s and on the road at Louisville to drop to 6-8 in the Big East.  Season over, right?  Wrong.  The Irish finished out the year by winning their final 4 Big East games against Pittsburgh, at Georgetown, home against UConn and at Marquette.  Very impressive because they’re doing this without a 1st team all league player.  Notre Dame has now put themselves solidly in the conversation for an NCAA bid.

 

“District 9″ (teams “out of this world”)

 

Syracuse (28-3, 15-3 Big East) - The Syracuse Orange are truly 1 of 3 teams who are “out of this world.”  They are the #1 seed in the #1 conference in the country.  If they didn’t have to play Louisville this year they’d only have 1 loss.  Hey, remember when they lost to Lemoyne College at home back in the preseason?  Yeah, I don’t either.  With a dynamic duo of Wesley Johnson and sharpshooter Andy Rautins (Leo’s son), and a prolific frontcourt of Arinze Onuaku and Rick Jackson, the Orange might be the most balanced team in all of America.

Kansas (29-2, 15-1 Big 12) - At this point in the season, the Jayhawks might be the odds on favorite to win the national title.  They have an experienced point guard in Sherron Collins, a dominant big man in Cole Aldrich and a nice mix of young talent in Xavier Henry, Tyshawn Taylor and the Morris twins.  Collins and Aldrich both have won a national championship and that right now is why Kansas may have the slight edge over Syracuse…the experience factor.  To me, trying to figure out which team is better is just a waste of time because they both have so few flaws.

Kentucky (29-2, 14-2 SEC) - The Wildcats might be the most exciting team to watch.  When you have 3 freshmen on your team who will be playing in the NBA soon, what’s not to like?  Kentucky is led by another great duo in young sensation John Wall and super big Demarcus Cousins.  The experience factor may hinder this team as well as they really don’t have many guys with much NCAA tournament pedigree.  Patrick Patterson had a rough 1st two years at Kentucky and this is an entirely different situation that he’s ever been a part of.  The bottom line is that they are dangerous, but maybe the most likely of these 3 to an early exit in the NCAA tournament. 

 

“An Education” (teams who need to be taught something)

 

Seton Hall (18-11, 9-9 Big East) - The Pirates kept their slim NCAA hopes alive by finishing out Big East play at the .500 water mark.  They are the 10 seed in the Big East tourney and my darkhorse pick to make a solid run.  So, Seton Hall, I will tell you what you need to do (and are capable of doing) to get an at-large bid.  First of all, you need to take care of business against the 15 seed in Providence.  Lose this game and you can forget about it.  Your 2nd round opponent will be Notre Dame.  A very winnable game.  Win that game and you will start to hear whispers.  But, you’re not out of the woods yet.  Your next opponent will be the #2 seed Pittsburgh.  Of any of the top 4 seeds to play I believe this is the one you’d want to play the most.  I know you had some success against Syracuse and West Virginia earlier in conference play, but just try and take a glance at how Providence nearly pulled off the upset at Pitt.  I believe it can be done.  If you happen to beat Pittsburgh, I want to say that your ticket will be punched.  Three more wins is what it takes.  Good luck.

Florida (20-11, 9-7 SEC) - If I am the Gators right now I am a tad worried.  They lost 3 in a row to end the year, but they are still in OK shape.  Florida, what you need to do is beat Auburn in round 1 of the SEC tournament for sure.  You then get Mississippi State.  I really believe if you win that game you will punch your ticket for the Big Dance.  You guys have wins over Florida State, Michigan State & Tennessee and that’s better than almost all bubbles teams.  Still, I don’t recommend losing early while everyone else can gain on you. 

South Florida (19-11, 9-9 Big East) - Who would have thought the Bulls would have such a good year?  Nobody.  They actually have a shot at an NCAA bid.  South Florida…you guys play Depaul in round 1 of the Big East tourney.  Please don’t sleep on them or the NIT is where you will be.  Your next opponent will be Georgetown…a team you already beat at their place this year.  You will have to win this game as well.  Doing this would put you guys in serious conversation for a bid.  Your 3rd round opponent would be Syracuse.  You won’t beat them…but…if somehow you did?  Well, you guys would LOCK up that bid because that would be incredible.

 

“The Hurt Locker” (teams affected by injuries)

 

Purdue (26-4, 14-4 Big Ten) - Without a doubt, the Boilermakers are the team that will be most affected by an injury.  Purdue lost their 2nd leading scorer, Robbie Hummel, to an injury a couple of weeks ago and went from a potential team that could win the national championship to a team that many will question if they can get passed the Sweet 16 now.

Notre Dame - Luke Harangody’s injury actually had the reverse effect on the Fighting Irish.  They went from being a prime NIT team all the way to being solidly in the field of 65.  They are not a lock yet, but have put themselves in great position after finishing out the year with four straight victories.  

Texas (23-8, 9-7 Big 12) - Back during the week of January 11th, the Longhorns were the #1 team in the nation.  Do you even remember that?  Texas lost sophomore guard Verez Ward back in the 1st couple weeks of the season.  Ward was averaging nearly 9.0 ppg.  They were still able to win without him though.  Then, mid February came around and Texas lost their starting point guard Dogus Balbay.  Balbay wasn’t putting up all star numbers, but he was one of the Longhorns better defenders and had been an intrical part to Texas’ success.  Since the middle of January, Texas has been on a major slide heading into conference tournament play.  Will we ever see the old Longhorns again from earlier in the season?

 

“Inglourious Basterds” (teams that could play a spoiler role)

 

Utah State (24-6, 14-2 WAC) - First of all, if the Aggies want to be a spoiler team in the NCAA tournament they will most likely need to get to at least their conference tourney finals, but will probably need to win it.  If they do this, I am warning potential teams seeded 5 through 7…watch out.  Utah State has a team consisting of upperclassmen which = experience.  They lead the nation in 3pt shooting % and rank in the top 5 in the nation in FT% as well.  I am not guaranteeing a 1st round victory by the Aggies because everything depends on getting the right matchup, but if the matchups are in their favor, I can definitely see this team as a potential Sweet 16 candidate.

UTEP (24-5, 15-1 C-USA) - The Miners are another team that may have to win their conference tournament to get in to the NCAA’s, but they are a legitimate threat should this happen.  They are currently 9-3 away from home and have 3 wins over top 50 opponents.  They are led by two juniors in Randy Culpepper, who is averaging over 18 ppg, and Louisville transfer Derrick Caracter who’s averaging 14ppg and 8rpg.  UTEP is in one of the upper tier mid major conferences and have had ample games against the big boys which they will face in the Big Dance.  Keep an eye out for UTEP.

Kent State (22-8, 13-3 MAC) - The Golden Flashes have really not been noticed by many even though they sport an RPI in the top 45.  They have a solid win this year over UAB and probably would have given South Florida a game had they not been missing their best player.  Kent State has won 13 of their last 14 games and if they win their conference tournament it would be 16 of 17.  If I were a power conference team, I would be afraid to play any team that’s on a ridiculous win streak like the Golden Flashes.  If they win their conference tournament they should be in the range of getting an 11 or 12 seed in the NCAA tournament.

 

“Precious” (key wins for certain teams to get an NCAA bid)

 

Virginia Tech (23-7, 10-6 ACC) - The Hokies win at Georgia Tech, in my opinion, locked them in for a bid in the NCAA tournament.  They now have 3 solid wins on their resume (the others being Wake Forest and Clemson), and they also have a win that’s looking a lot better of late and that’s their win over Seton Hall.  Va Tech has gotten their RPI back into the Top 50 and even a loss in their 1st game in the ACC tournament shouldn’t affect the NCAA status of the Hokies.

Louisville (20-11, 11-7 Big East) - The Cardinals second win against Syracuse at home on Saturday solidified their spot in this years NCAA tournament.  The bottom line with them is, if you beat a projected #1 NCAA tournament seed twice in a season and finish over .500 in the Big East, then it’s not even a question as to if you’re gonna go “dancing” or not.  Louisville can now play freely without having the burden of a loss costing them a shot at the Big Dance.

Wake Forest (19-9, 9-7 ACC)  - The Demon Deacons finally punched their ticket to the Big Dance with their victory over Clemson on Sunday.  This team has so much talent and I feel as if they are capable of making a deep run in March, but remember what happened to them last year?  They were a 4 seed and got knocked out in round 1 to Cleveland State.  Well, for now, Wake can at the very least sleep well tonight knowing that they will be in the field of 65.

 

“A Serious Man” (top coach of the year candidates)

 

Jim Boeheim (Syracuse) - Coach Boeheim is probably the front runner for this award as he has taken a Syracuse team that was projected to finish 6th in the Big East all the way to a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament and a #1 overall ranking in the last week of the regular season.

Jamie Dixon (Pittsburgh) - The Pitt Panthers are another team that really came out of nowhere.  Many people believed that this was going to be a down year for Dixon and his Panthers, but if you take a look at Jamie Dixon’s resume, he’s never had a “down” year.  Pittsburgh finished 2nd in the Big East, aruguably the toughest conference in the nation.

Frank Martin (Kansas State) - The fact that the Wildcats were in consideration for a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament the last week of the regular season automatically merits Frank Martin as a candidate for this award.  Many felt that when Mike Beasley left 2 seasons ago that Kansas State would conform back to being a mediocre power conference team.  This was not the case as Frank Martin has proved he can continue to recruit and has turned K-State into a force to be reckoned with.

Jon Calipari (Kentucky) - In Calipari’s 1st season as Kentucky’s head coach, all he’s done is led them to a 29-2 record in the regular season.  Yes, he does have some of the best freshmen in the country in John Wall and Demarcus Cousins, but a big part of coaching is being able to recruit and one thing Coach Cal can do for sure is bring in the top players in the country year in and year out.

Steve Alford (New Mexico) - Some people may have forgotten about Steve Alford when he left Iowa a few years ago en route to New Mexico, but many won’t forget the magical season the New Mexico Lobos are having.  They finished regular season play with an outstanding 28-3 mark in the tough Mountain West Conference.  Coach Alford proved that his Lobos are for real with non conference wins against Texas A&M and California, as well as an in-conference sweep of perennial MWC power BYU.

Bo Ryan (Wisconsin) - It seems like this guy should be in the conversation for coach of the year every year because he can flat out X and O.  He’s definitely very admirable because he doesn’t always have the best talent (in fact, his talent doesn’t even compare to that of Kentucky), but he always manages to maximize his teams potential and get the most out of every player.

Scott Drew (Baylor) - Coach Drew has led the Bears to an astonishing 23-6 regular season, especially considering where this program was 6 or 7 years ago.  Clearly, Scott Drew was the correct candidate for their head coaching position way back when this program was in complete and utter turmoil.  I still feel as if Baylor has gone under the radar, but Drew should be recognized for his accomplishments so far.

Fran Dunphy (Temple) - After the Owls leading scorer, Dionte Christmas, graduated from school last year, many thought that Temple would take a step back.  However, we’ve learned that you don’t take steps backward with Fran Dunphy as your head coach.  What a remarkable job he’s done with this team and he’s proved it with an overall regular season record of 26-5 and big wins over Virginia Tech, Villanova and Xavier.  The Owls also have zero bad losses on their resume, which means they’re taking on the personality of their head coach…which is showing up to work every day. 

 

“Up” (teams on the rise and moving in the right direction)

 

West Virginia (24-6, 13-5 Big East) - The Mountaineers finally got what they needed on Saturday.  A road win against a really good opponent.  They went up to Philadelphia and knocked off one of the better teams in the country in Villanova.  What this win does is it keeps West Virginia’s hopes alive for a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament.  If West Virginia goes on and wins the Big East tournament, they could be the team to fill that coveted fourth #1 seed slot.

Baylor (23-6, 11-5 Big 12) - The Baylor Bears have won 7 of their last 8 games and ended up getting the 3 seed in the Big 12 tournament.  This really has been a team who has continually been on the rise since, well, the season started.  They have one questionable loss on their resume (at Colorado), but winning on the road in conference is never an easy task so we can’t kill them for that.

Washington (21-9, 11-7 Pac 10) - Yes, you read that right.  I am finally mentioning a team from the Pac-10.  The Huskies have won 5 of their last 6 games and find themselves in the mix for an NCAA bid.  In reality, this team shouldn’t be on the bubble, but since the nation’s bubble is so bad Washington gets credit almost by default.  They are not beating anybody great, but they do have solid wins over Texas A&M, Cal and Arizona State.  I like the fact that they were able to balance out their success from non conference play to conference play.  I still think Washington needs to make a deep run into the Pac-10 tourney to remain in the conversation.

 

“Up in the Air” (teams who need a prayer for a bid)

Rhode Island (21-8, 9-7 A-10) - The Rams seemed to be getting back on track when they beat Charlotte in a pivotal game earlier in the week however, after taking one step forward they took two steps back when they lost at UMass on Saturday.  Their RPI is around 40 right now and they are in major trouble of obtaining an at large bid.  I believe they will now need to make the A-10 conference tournament finals if they want to be re-considered for a bid.  Doing so, would mean that they beat Temple, and that of course, would be huge.  The bubble is so bad that by getting to the finals just might do the trick…no guarantees though.

San Diego State (20-8, 11-5 MWC) - The Aztecs find themselves in an almost identical situation as they did a year ago.  In fact last year at this point their record was 21-9, 11-5 MWC and had an RPI of 34 and a strength of schedule of 40.  The only difference this year is that their strength of schedule is closer to 70.  Last year?  Well, they were one of the 1st teams to miss out on the Big Dance.  Personally, I thought they should have been in.  I really believe that this team needs to make it to the conference tournament finals to have a real shot.  They have good wins this year already over New Mexico and UNLV and getting to the finals of the MWC tourney would mean that they beat New Mexico for a 2nd time.  Doing this would be huge.  If not, all San Diego State can do is pray for a bid.

Memphis (23-8, 13-3 C-USA) - Many people out there feel that right now the Tigers would be in the field of 65.  They might be right, but only by default.  Please tell me what Memphis did in non conference play?  Sure.  They beat absolutely nobody and lost to UMass.  Very unimpressive.  What have they done in conference play?  They beat UAB at home and on the road.  These are two good wins, but are these the two wins that carry them to an NCAA bid?  Not in my book.  First of all, UAB right now is on the outside looking in.  Maybe if Memphis makes it to the Conference USA finals will they have a shot (this would mean that they’d be beating UAB for a 3rd time).  Any other year I would say that this team has no chance for an at-large bid, but because the bubble is sooooo bad this year, they remain in the conversation.  I wouldn’t be able to sleep well, however, knowing my fate was “up in the air.”

 

My last 4 teams in:  Illinois, San Diego St, South Florida, Washington

My first 4 teams out:  Ole Miss, Memphis, Seton Hall, Rhode Island

 

CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY FACTS & BRACKS

Today I will give you my season ending ranking. The year was interesting because outside of the top 4 teams, it’s been a good debate which teams come next! Staying in the top ten is never easy and doing it year in and year out like RFH, RBC and SJV is something to be admired. That brings me to the topic of building a program vs. building a team. There is a big difference.

 

 

 

 

I have always thought building a great team is a whole lot easier than building a great program. Many a coach has built a great team; they find 4 or 5 kids who win games over a short period of time and then the program falls off the map. This happens many times on the high school level. A school gets a few great players. They play anyone and beat everyone.  This can be an exciting time for a school and a town, being on the map and having the basketball world notice you. College coaches flock to the gym, the team is ranked by the newspapers, the team plays in the best tournaments, the crowds at games are bigger, players make All County, the coach wins Coach of The Year and team awards are showcased for everyone to admire…But for some the hard part starts when the great players leave. In many cases, the big time tournament people stop calling, gone are the games against quality opponents, gone are the ranking, the fans and students lose interest, the college coaches no longer show up at games and their are no team or personal awards to admire. So what’s left? The players who have not developed, the players who have been long forgotten, they are ones who are now asked to pick up the pieces. Now players who were after thoughts for years are now asked to learn a system, they are asked to get to know the head coach and then more important than anything else!…They are Compared to the players who have moved on to the next level. Now the coach talks how the kids don’t work hard, how the town has no feeder program, how the kids are to weak, and etc. The players and parents become resentful and the program falls apart as quickly as the great player’s disappeared. That coach forgot the time to start building their program was while they were winning and they had creditability…..So building a great team has some great benefits but it has pit falls for those who don’t know how to take advantage of the sudden success. These programs are what I like to call flash in the pans!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now building a great program, that’s a whole difference world. It takes work and the coach must be concerned with all aspects of the program. The coach must watch over the JV and freshman teams. These players must develop and sell your program to the non stars! Many of these players will be his roles players of the future and in some cases a starter. The coach creates a culture for kids to improve and be part of something special. These coaches are willing to take their lumps. They play good competition year in and year out. They know the competition will help their kids improve. They don’t schedule games based on their roster. They schedule games with the understanding it’s the program that matters not their record. Their best players know the name on the front, means more than the name on the back. Their best players very rarely have big stats and more importantly the coach has put team awards ahead of ANY personal awards. This is what good programs do! THEY BUILD A LEGACY OF SUCCESS… RBC, RFH and SJV have built such programs. Middletown South is building such a program, they may never have the talent to win a TOC but they play the best competition year in and year out. Coach Brennan has sold the uniform to his kids and they have brought in!  The kids understand they will win regardless of who is wearing a Middletown uniform. Middletown South lost Danielle Pankey this year and guest what? They may have had a better season this year. George Sourlias lost Kate Miller last year and what did he do? He played a tougher schedule this year and still won more games. See this is what great programs are all about. No one player or person is bigger that the school or the team. Look at RBC! They don’t get to the SCT final the past 2 years and the sky is falling in…LOL. This is happens when you build a program. People expect so much more. The players at these schools many times choose the education over the great basketball program, when picking a college. This is because their kids get the big picture. James Young at RBR has changed the culture and attitudes at RBR. He has shown his girls and the community the light. He played good teams and took his lumps in the summer and during the season. He ran a summer league and included any and every player, he asked kids to work out in the off season. James Young did not bully his kids; he gave them a formula for long term success. He is building a program. He was very lucky because his kids where rewarded right off the bat. That’s very rare!  John Turhan knows a thing or two about building programs. He has the Central Reg community excited. These coaches know it about the kids who have yet to wear a uniform that they are building a program for….  Some programs come and go. Not the great ones because they don’t change from year to year…you just expect more!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TINY SEASON ENDING TOP TEN
 

 

 

 

 

1.) NEPTUNE – They ran though the SCT, winning every game by double figures. Davis, Allen and Richardson have established themselves as stars. But it’ been the play of Golden and Thompson that have made them a special group. They will be heavily favored again next year. They return 4 starters, Allen will graduate. That will open the door for highly talented freshman Ivy Harrington. Then they will add two freshmen who both will be dominate players in the SC for years to come. Both are over 6 ft and potential High Major college players down the road. Neptune will be better next year my friends! Coach Brown is building the Roman Empire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.) They got the win that they needed to cement their rightful place in Shore Conference basketball history when they beat SJV. Coach Healy and her team have improved as the season has gone along and are peaking now! They won a SCT as sophomores and played in the TOC final as juniors. The run by BLT along with Howes, Lanza and Lawrence has been a great one. If not for Neptune they would have won two SCT Championships. This year they played another great schedule and feared no team. They can still make it a wonderful ending by winning the TOC. Next year will be the true test for this program. First what will their schedule look like? Will they take their lumps? Next have they developed any young players? Then most important can they build on the schools greatest 4 year run?  Now the real coaching and rebuilding begins! Flash in the Pan or here to stay?     

 

 

 

 

 

3.) SJV- Coach Karpell has had 11 months like no coach has ever seen. She lost 3 impact players and then her best player in the middle of this season. Yet she never made excuses or hid behind her bad luck. Instead SJV regrouped both times and moved forward. SJV before Manigrasso was injured was nationally ranked and maybe the one team who could have taken out Neptune. Senior Claire Kerrisk moved into the starting lineup and did a great job. The two freshmen Lindsey Rowe and Kat Egan were the two biggest surprises for SJV and they proved to be special all year. They gave Dawn Karpell that bench she needed to play her pressure defense. Kates, Repoli, O’Reilly and Zimmerman have been great so long you forget they are coming back for one more shot at the SCT. Dawn has built a great program. The players always seen to get better and they challenge themselves every year. Neptune would be wise to remember this is a dangerous group of girls waiting on them. SJV is still hopping their season ends on a high note by defending their TOC championship. Here is a little prediction and remember I have been darn good to this point! If there is one team with a chance to stop Neptune this year! In my mind this is the one! Next year SJV will again be one of the best teams in the state!

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.) ST. ROSE- They answered their critics this year. Sam Clark has proven to be the most compete post player I have seen in a very long time. Allison Sweeney was great the entire year. Alexx Hall proved to be a reliable senior all year. Post player Nikki Donahue is developing into a div 1 player and they have the best young point guard in the SC. Joe Roman now has a real legit program going; Coach Roman tired to upgrade his schedule this year, but was done in by the weather. Trust me Joe will play as tough as schedule as anyone next year. They accomplished every goal except beating Neptune and Trenton Catholic, two teams that beat everyone this year. Now some people may say they only lost to TC by 1 and Colts Neck lost by double figures, why are they not higher? That is a simple answer! I am not taking state games into account! Plus despite both teams losing by double figures to Neptune, I believe Colts Neck played Neptune better! Next year Joe Roman will return everyone except Sweeney and Hall. The two most important pieces do return. Point Guard Kasey Chambers and All everything center Sam Clark. Nikki Donahue and Dana Malanga give Joe Roman a dangerous starting 4. If they have developed a 5th player watch out. Malanga is the real deal and will ease the lost of Sweeney and Hall. This is a program clearly on the move to the next level.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.) MIDDLETOWN SOUTH- What can you say about Tom Brennan, the man is simply one of the best in the business. Every year his teams are in the hunt. He never has the most talent. But he teaches his kids to play to their strengths and gets them to develop. I will repeat this again. Have you ever seen his team not prepared to play? This year he lost Danielle Pankey and his team got better…I mean how crazy is that? Megan McGuiness, Kelly Haspel and Kerri Kinsella became a tough trio for many teams handle and all three have something in common. They had better seasons than last year. This is coaching my friends. Tom Brennan continues to do it better than most. Next year Middletown South will move further up on the food chain. Stay tuned because this man has built a program made to last for the ages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.) RUMSON- While many people where calling the Rumson era of greatness over, George Sourlis quietly smiled. Rumson played another insane schedule knowing they were losing Kate Miller and still won 20 games. He played at Shabazz, Colts Neck at battle of the boardwalk and Middletown South, knowing they had to play the SJV and RBC’s of the world twice. They are a true program. This is a place if a player works hard they will find a way to use them. This is a place where the name on the front of the uniform means something special. It took the #1 team in the state to stop their 10 year run. They took Shabazz down to the wire before losing. Lesko, Wilbur, Cooper, and the Isaacs twins will form a nice group Next year for RFH. But remember this program always grabs a few unknown JV players and turns them into fixtures of their program.  Rumson along with SJV will be the biggest threat to Neptune. I will say it again. George Sourlias is the best in the business and this year proved why!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.) RBC- Again another program that just keeps moving along. Sam Guastella has become a superstar in the SC. The college coaches will chase her all summer. The winner will get one of the hardest workers in the SC. The will get a player always ready to battle. She will be a pre-season Player of the Year candidate.  Joe Montano saw his young team play up and down all year. He watched KC Hobbie become a well rounded player. His prize freshman next year will be ready and trust me they will deliver. When RBC shows up in an opposing team’s gym, it’s that team’s game of the year. Joe’s crew did not beat any of the big four this year. Youth was a major problem, because playing 32 minutes’ is not easy without Senior leadership.. Next year many of those teams will not be happy to see Joe’s Crew. The RBC team did a great job of getting better as the year went on. They never gave up against Neptune in the SCT. They will be in the top 4 pre-season next year and will add a Very special freshman. They will get a program player. She can play 4 positions and believe me…She is special and fun to watch. Get ready for another great RBC run folks…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.) JACKSON MEMORIAL- Coach Goodale has taken a few hits regarding her team schedule. Is it fair? Maybe! But one thing is clear; Jackson had a great year and did big things. They beat Southern Twice and they won more games than any team in the schools history. Rachel Goodale has established herself as a top flight coach! Christa Evans is one of the best players in the entire state of New Jersey and Hannah Missry is a future superstar in the SC. Costello and Testa will be missed. They have been rocks for this program. They have laid the foundation for girl’s basketball not only at Jackson Memorial but for the town of Jackson as well. The youth programs in this area are buzzing with good players. Now Rachel and her staff will be able to build on what they already have built. Next year Jackson has a chance to be very good again. Evans and Missry are back. But it will be the younger Evans and Stephanie Mason who may be the difference for this team. Rachel will continue to upgrade her now conference schedule the players will continue to improve and Jackson Memorial community will watch their program grow. This program will be around a very long time. The woman at the top knows what she is doing! Just a bit of advice for the Jackson crowd….When your special the haters hate…let them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.) HOMDEL- People love to talk about the talent in the Shore Conference, but what about the coaches? Bob Ward has been amazing this year. The man is so classy and professional it’s scary. Why more AD’s are not demanding all coaches present this package to their kids anymore, is something I don’t understand. Is it too much to ask a coach to dress nice and not yell and scream the whole night. Is it asking too much for a coach to pat a kid on the back and say good job or more important pat an opposing player on the back? Is it too much to ask kids to share the basketball and play as a team? Is it too much to ask a coach to make sure your kids play with desire and class? TRUST ME you want your kids to play for Bob Ward! Let me ALSO say this, The AD at Holmdel must be given a serious pat on the back for this hiring. This is an administrator that did his job and got the right man for the position. Why do I say this? This program needed a shot in the arm, but it had to be done with the right person. This AD took his time and made sure the coach fit the players and school, this while many were saying he was taking to long to get a coach. There was pressure to get this program back on its feet. This AD did his job in a big way and listened to one voice…his own! Please don’t tell me this guy doesn’t care about his kids and athletic program. I know many AD’s that just want to get the process over with. Not this person! Hopefully someone will pass his name along to me. Now back to Bob Ward. His kids played the game the right way all year. Allie Minch is one of the most improved players in the SC; Tara Inman is one of the best freshmen in the state. Alex Diekman was one of the most underrated players in the state all year. If you have an all senior team she would be first team.  Melissa Martorelli has been a rock all season and has played all kinds of roles. You need scoring? She gave it to you; you need defense? She gave it to you. Anything she was ask to do she delivered all year They beat Middlesex counties # 2 ranked team Cardinal McCarrick, and they played tough every night. This is a program people will have to deal with year in and year out now. This will be no flash in the pan. This man leading this program knows what he is doing. Holmdel is a very dangerous program right now! PLEASE ALL YOUNG COACHES go watch this man, we need our coaches to understand and learn what a head coach looks and sounds like!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.) TOM RIVER NORTH- This was one of the real surprise teams this year. Coach Gillen is wonderful at getting her team to play hard for 32 minutes. She put 5 guards on the floor and made them compete night in and night out. They were good enough to be in the Top Ten most of the season. They knocked off the state’s #16 team Roselle and had a chance to win their division right up to the lost against Jackson late in the season. TRN will lose some seniors and Coach Gillen will have to go back to the Drawing board. The lost of one of the real sleeper players in the shore Asia Taylor will be hardest felt. Taylor sat under the radar most of the year. But those who saw her play knew she was special. Next year we will see if TRN can do it again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THOUGHT ON MY TOP TEN
    

  Some people will ask why I don’t include the state tourney.  My answer is because I don’t pay much attention to the State tourney. Southern for example is making a huge run behind Kristen Sharkey in the states. But it’s in a different setting than the Shore Conference. Next some schools have won a state championship but not their league championship. Conference games are much more intense in my opinion and the teams know each other much better.  Last but not least, they call it conference play for a reason! How you do in your conference is what counts most…not in the state!

 

 

 

 

 

 

AROUND THE SHORE
 

 

Kristen Sharkey is just rolling right now. I expect her to have a great college career. How the U of Buffalo got this kid is shocking to me!

 

 

Allison Sweeny is weighting her college choices

 

 

 

The recruiting for Sam Clark will be one big battle, Seton Hall and Boston College, where on hand this past Thursday. I believe every Big East and ACC school will make a run at Clark…

 

 

 

Providence College and Seton Hall have both offered Chyna Golden and it looks like the Golden Rush has started.

 

 

 

 

 

Ashley Cooper’s stock took a major jump with her performance against Shabazz last week. Look for no less than 2 Big East Schools and 1 SEC School to offer Cooper. Size and length is something these schools just can’t pass on!

 

 

 

 

 

Victoria Lesko according to George Sourlias was fanatic the last month of the season. He expects Lesko who sat out last year because of a foot injury to have a big senior year

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The Shore Conference proved again it is the toast of girl’s basketball. Go look at how many shore teams are still playing! Many Shore teams that finished out of the top ten are still playing

 

 

 

 

Next week I will announce my award winners. Believe me it has not been easy. I have done my best not to read any information on the state games other than the scores. But it is hard and at times, I do find myself peeking. I just don’t believe state games should have one thing to do with ALL SHORE.

 

 

 

 

 

FINAL THOUGHTS ABOUT THE SEASON
    

  I would like to say congrats to the teams in my top ten.  I thought it was an exiting year and most of the teams outside of the top 4 were equal. That makes for a great season. I do want to say a few things about Fans, Parents and Coaches. First I believe that fans for the most part were well behaved and respectful. There will always be a few knuckle heads. I hope that we can expose this people and kept them under control or out the building. Two games stick out in my mind this year. One was the Point Boro vs. Central high school. I very rarely like to sit in a game next to parent unless I know them. This is why I wait for a game to start before entering. The Pt Boro and Central parents and fans where unreal the one night I entered before a game started. They sat next to each other and admired players from both teams. I have no idea why so much has change regarding acceptable behavior but this group gave me hope…Next was the battle between Christa Evans and Sam Clark in the SCT. The respect these two ladies showed for each other was amazing. Personally I think Evans may have won the battle but Clark’s team won the game. They played hard against each other and clean. These two girls after the game shook hands and smiled at each other. Can you imagine that, kids smiling at each other after a game! You could tell they loved the battle and have great respect for each other. I spoke to each after the game. Sam Clark told me over and over how good Evans was. Christa Evans spoke of how good Clark was…people these are two kids that get it! Last I want to talk about the coaches. The Shore has some very special ones. But I was very disappointed with what went on at the end of the year with games being cancelled. Some of those games should have been played. Teams who were ranked ahead of teams did not want to play those below them. They wanted to play after the seeding or not at all. This is nonsense and AD’s should force their coaches to play. Next and I believe this is very important. The seeding voting should be made public. I don’t care what anyone says. It will stop the nonsense that goes on behind close doors and on the phones! SOME COACHES VOTE WITH AN ANGENDA!

 

 

 

 

Last if you believe you are a division 1 point guard and you are looking for a school E-mail me