Girls Basketball – WOBM Christmas Classic Finals Preview

WOBM Christmas Classic

@ RWJBarnabas Health Arena at Toms River HS North

Finals

Saturday 12/30/23

Ray Cervino Bracket

No. 4 Wall vs No. 1 Red Bank Regional; 2 p.m.

Projected Starting Line-up and WOBM Stats

Wall: Shayne Eldridge - SR; 17 PPG, 4.5 SPG

         Emily Tvrdik - SR; 13.5 PPG, 2.5 SPG

         Marisa Amitie - JR; 5 PPG, 8 RPG

         Erin Richey - JR; 5 PPG, 3.5 SPG

         Aileen Carr - SR; 5.5 PPG, 2 SPG

RBR: Caroline Polloway - JR; 14.5 PPG, 12 RPG

          Riley Joyce - SO; 3 PPG, 7 RPG

          Synai Blychanton - SO; 13.5 PPG, 4.5 RPG

          Zoe Gulley - SO; 10.;5 PPG, 2 SPG

          Riley Wheeler - SO; 4 PPG, 2 APG

Wall had a stellar defensive effort against Rumson-Fair Haven to advance into the finals. Wall kept changing their defensive match-ups and Rumson could never get into a rhythm on the offensive end. Seniors Shayne Eldridge and Emily Tvrdik look to get Wall out on the fast break as soon as they grab a rebound or create a turnover. Wall created a lot of turnovers but they also turned the ball over a bunch with careless passing. They will need to be smarter with the basketball against RBR. The wild card will be Marise Amitie and her ability to cover Caroline Polloway who has had a great WOBM tournament. 

RBR won with ease over Manchester without their star Camryn Gardner. Gardner remains questionable tomorrow with an illness. Polloway has been a force in the post and scored at ease in the 1st quarter against Manchester. Wall is the first team in the tournament that has some height that can match her. Blynchanton does a good job getting the ball up the court and attacking the basket for RBR, which creates open looks for Zoe Gulley, who has 7 3-pointers in the tournament. 

Prediction: Wall 56-50

Kathy Snyder Bracket 

No. 14 Central Regional vs No. 15 Toms River South; 12 p.m.

Projected Starting Line-up and WOBM Stats

TRS: Maddie Krohn - JR; 10 PPG, 4 RPG

         Linsey Cribbin - FR; 12 PPG, 4 SPG

         Carly Helmstetter - JR; 3 PPG, 2 APG

         Meaghan Weatherstone - SR; 6 PPG, 6.5 RPG

         Jada Milligan - SR; 2 PPG, 3 RPG

Central: Makenna Leszczynski - SR; 3 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3 SPG

               Vita Kelyman - JR; 7 PPG, 4 RPG

               Emma Christensen - SO; 8.5 PPG, 17 RPG, 8 SPG

               Beth Doderer -  SR; 4 PPG, 8.5 RPG

               Brianna Nelson - SO; 6.5 PPG, 2.5 SPG

TRS is led on the offensive end by freshman Linsey Cribbin and junior Maddie Krohn, both averaging double-digits in the WOBM tournament. TRS plays strong defense and are aggressive on the boards. They grabbed 32 rebounds in the semifinal round against Middletown North. Central has more height then Middletown North so TRS will need to be in the right position on the glass. 

Central was tested in the semifinal round against Lacey, leading by 10 going into the 4th quarter, Lacey was able to send the game to overtime. The victory gave Central experience to close out a competitive game. Sophomore Emma Christensen pulled down 22 rebounds in the semifinal round and has been hard to attack on the defensive end. Central will need to shoot the ball more consistently at the foul line if the game is close down the stretch.

Prediction: TRS 39-32