BCC’s women’s basketball ranked No. 2 in nation

Brookdale Community College’s undefeated women’s basketball team has moved up to No. 2 in the national rankings.

The Blues, 19-0, are ranked behind New York State’s Onondaga Community College in the latest National Junior College Division III poll. TheBlueswon their 19th straightwhen they defeated Camden, 83-48, in a Garden State College Athletic Conference game played Feb. 4 in Lincroft.

Michelle Blum (Howell) led the Blues with 13 points as she connected on three long-range jumpers. Tia Curtis (Monmouth Regional) scored 10 of her 12 points in the first half when Brookdale jumped out to a 47-20 lead.

Victoria Finelli (Brick) also scored in double figures with 12, and Kerriann Cassarello (Keansburg) chipped in with 10 off the bench.

Everyone on the team contributed points to the victory as co-coaches Marianne Campacci and Joanne Cobb continued to get production throughout the lineup.

“We’re deeper than we thought we’d be,” Cobb said during the season. “We’re able to consistently change our offense and defense. Our kids off the bench are really good.”

The Blues have four games remaining before they can finish the regular season undefeated.

The Region XIX playoffs begin Feb. 23 with fist-round games at the home of the highest seeded team. The Blues are the likely No. 1 seed, and that would give them a first-round bye. Lackawanna (Pa.) is hosting the semi-finals on Feb. 25 and the final on Feb. 27. The winnermoves on to the NJCAA National Tournament on March 11-13.

The Blues have been steamrolling teams this winter. Their average margin of victory has been 27 points a game. They’re averaging 74 points a game and allowing just 47.

The offense has been very balanced, with only three players in double figures. Brielle Martinez (Hamilton High School) leads the team with a 12.65 points-per-game average, and Blum is right behind at 12.10. Point guard Victoria DeTata (Brick Township) is at 11.60.

Curtis (9.35), Finelli (6.78) and Ria Zanetich (6.65) have provided solid support each night. Martinez leads the team in rebounding, pulling down 9.85 per outing. Cassarello (5.21) and Blum (5.0) are averaging five a game. The team is averaging 45 boards a game.

BCC will close its regular season with a pair of home games, Saturday at 1 p.m. against Passaic in a GSAC match-up and on Tuesday at 5 p.m. against Division II Morris.