Monmouth is one step closer to first SCT title
Long Branch boys upset RBR in SCT quarterfinals
BY VIN RAPOLLA
Staff Writer

The Monmouth Regional girls basketball team entered the Shore Conference Tournament as the top seed, and have backed up the distinction thus far.

Following a dominant win over Jackson (77-19) in the second round, the Golden Falcons took on a dangerous Red Bank Catholic team in the quarterfinals on Sunday, fully aware that the young Caseys are an up-and-coming team.

But while the Caseys will likely be a force once again next year, this year’s Monmouth squad is ready to win now, and proved it with a 60-50 win on Sunday.

Monmouth, led by the 24-point effort of sophomore guard Brittney Powell, fell behind early as RBC’s Jenna Strich (16 points, four steals) made her presence known from the start. But facing an 8-2 deficit, the Falcons took over, and by the second quarter had built a double-digit lead (21-11).

That lead continued to grow through the third, and with the Falcons leading 46-32 in the fourth, RBC gave it one last valiant effort to come back, only to fall short.

The win left the Falcons feeling even better about themselves, as they were able to dominate a team a lot of people felt could give them trouble.

“The kids are really feeling confident after yesterday’s win,” said head coach Audra Corson.

Along with Powell’s commanding performance, the Falcons also got strong play from seniors Youngor Kehleay (10 points) and Laura Forbes (10 points) on both ends of the floor.

Strich and Kristina Danella (12 points) were the Caseys’ top offensive players.

With the win, the Falcons earned a semifinal match-up with Toms River North at the Ritacco Center on Tuesday. TR North knocked off Rumson-Fair Haven, 46-32, in its quarterfinal matchup, and presented another tough challenge for the Falcons.

“We can’t look past this North team,” said Corson. “We definitely want to get to the final game, and hopefully match up against St. John Vianney.”

The Falcons currently have a 20-2 record, and while this is also the furthest the team has ever made it in the Shore Conference Tournament, they are hungry for that championship.

“This is a real special team,” said Corson. “They really only care about winning.”

Monmouth has developed into a solid all-around team, as shown in the win over RBC.

“That game proved anyone can score in double figures, and that you can’t shut down any one player,” said the coach. “The seniors, along with the whole team, definitely stepped up.”

With several players returning to the lineup from last year, Corson knew this year’s team was going to be special. Last year’s team finished 17-7, a record that Corson feels could have been even better.

“We were a little disappointed in last year’s record, but many of the games could have easily gone our way,” said Corson. “This year we came in much more mature.”

Regardless of Tuesday’s outcome, Corson is proud of her team’s play thus far, and is confident the team will continue to play hard and work together in the upcoming state tournament, where they are the top seed in the Central Jersey Group III tournament.

“They’re great kids,” said Corson. “They care about each other, work hard, and care about the team and winning.”

And, winning the school’s first SCT title.

Long Branch boys

also reach semifinals

The Long Branch Green Wave dropped its season opener to Red Bank Regional in what proved to be a relatively one-sided affair.

They had a chance to redeem themselves on Sunday, and did, knocking off the Bucs, 60-56, in the quarterfinal round of the Shore Conference Tournament.

With the win, the Wave earned a shot at ninth-seeded Manasquan in the semifinals last night, with the winner moving on to Saturday’s final in Toms River.

Against the fourth-seeded Bucs, Long Branch used a run at the end of the first quarter to build a 24-12 lead, but the Bucs stormed back before the break to get within 29-22. Once the second half started, Long Branch again asserted itself, scoring the first six points and building a double-digit lead that would stick until a late run by the Bucs made it close.

But in truth, Long Branch was in control throughout the second half, led by senior Maurice Turpin’s 22 points. Amal Blaine (14 points) and Darius Morris (12 points) were also forces for the Wave, while Kyle Fitzgerald did his best to keep the Bucs in the game with a game-high 24 points.

In Manasquan, the Wave was set to take on a team coming off a relatively easy win in the quarterfinals (65-50 over Monsignor Donovan), but was well aware of just how good the Big Blue can be.

In the other semifinal, CBA and Lakewood, two of the top teams in the Shore all year, were also set to battle last night.