Girls Basketball Top 10 (Feb. 27)

Shore Conference Girls Basketball Top 10 (Feb. 27)

1-Manchester (26-2, 14-0) Last week: 2

Who's hotter than the Hawks? No one. Third-seeded Manchester put the finishing touches on their first Shore Conference Tournament title emphatically, steaming past top-seeded St. John Vianney, 58-42, in the championship game. Sophomore swing Destiny Adams, who was named MVP, produced 19 points and 10 rebounds in the final, her senior sister Dakota added 12 points and nine boards and senior guard Leilani Correa had 14 points and nine rebounds. Two days later, the Hawks extended their win streak to 18 by opening defense of their South Jersey, Group 2 crown with a 71-37 verdict over Pemberton that featured 10 points from junior point guard Kemari Reynolds, including the 1,000th of her career.

2-St. Rose (23-2, 14-0) Last week: 3

The Purple Roses were victimized by Manchester in the SCT semifinals, bowing 62-45 to snap a string of five successive wins. The Belmar school now turns its attention to defense of the Non-Public A state title as the top seed in the South Jersey sectional and will host eighth-seeded Notre Dame in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

3-St. John Vianney (21-3, 14-0) Last week: 1

The Lady Lancers reached the Shore Conference Tournament final for a fourth straight season but came up short against third-seeded Manchester on Saturday night, falling 58-42, despite the stellar play of senior forward Brelynn Bellamy at both ends of the court. Vianney must regroup on Thursday, when archrival Red Bank Catholic pays a visit in the quarterfinal round of South Jersey, Non-Public A.

4-Manasquan (19-6, 12-2) Last week: 4

Senior swing and Maryland pledge Faith Masonius was honored last week as the recipient of the Kerwin Award, which recognizes the top player in the Shore Conference. She epitomized what earned her the lofty distincition in the semifinals of the SCT, collecting 33 points and a dozen rebounds in a 53-51 loss to St. John Vianney. The top-seeded Warriors began their pursuit of a sixth straight Central Jersey, Group 2 championship with 90-35 triumph against 16th-seeded Metuchen that featured 29 points from senior guard Lola Mullaney.

5-Red Bank Catholic (19-8, 10-4) Last week: 5

The Caseys took down Camden Catholic, 62-47, on Tuesday in the first round of South Jersey, Non-Public A to set up a quarterfinal matchup with long-time nemesis St. John Vianney. Freshman guard Justine Pissott fueled the showing with 19 points, senior guard Julia Setaro netted 12 and sophomore point guard Sophia Sabino flipped in 11.

6-Rumson-Fair Haven (17-10, 8-6) Last week: 6

Sophomore guard Cortland McBarron supplied 19 points, seven assists and five rebounds and backcourt classmate Grace Munt picked up eight points and four steals to lead the Bulldogs past Delaware Valley, 68-29, on Monday in the first round of Central Jersey, Group 2. They hosted A Central rival Holmdel, a team RFH defeated twice in the regular season, in the sectional quarterfinals on Wednesday.

7-Marlboro (21-7, 11-1) Last week: 7

The second-seeded Mustangs matched their season-high by striking for 17 3-pointers on Monday in a 95-34 showing against West Windsor-Plainsboro South in the first round of Central Jersey, Group 4. Senior guard Gisella Romeo pumped in 23 points, including a trio of triples, and junior guard Sam Nocco knocked down four treys en route to 14 points. Marlboro entertains seventh-seeded Hillsborough in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

8-Middletown South (21-5, 10-2) Last week: 8

Junior swing Kayla Richardson registered a double double, backing 21 points with 10 boards as well as four assists, four steals and a pair of blocks as the top-seeded Eagles blitzed Hightstown, 52-20, in the first round of Central Jersey, Group 4. Middletown South, which has won three straight, will host eighth-seeded Sayreville on Thursday in the sectional quarterfinals.

9-Toms River North (20-6, 13-1) Last week: 9

The reigning South Jersey, Group 4 champion has a steep hill to climb in defense of the crown but the fifth-seeded Mariners got off on the right foot Tuesday night, storming past Vineland, 82-48. Senior forward Jenna Paul supplied 34 points and 10 rebounds and senior point Brielle Bisogno finished with 21 points, eight assists, six boards and five steals. North will host 13th-seeded Rancocas Valley on Thursday in the quarterfinal round.

10-Red Bank (19-8, 9-5) Last week: 10

The fourth-seeded Bucs overwhelmed 13th-seeded Brick in the first round of Central Jersey, Group 3, cruising to a 73-37 decision behind strong efforts from its sophomore backcourt. Point guard Chloe Teter clicked for 20 points, seven steals and six assists, Amelia Medolla hit four 3-pointers and totaled 17 points and five rebounds, Caitlyn Decker had 11 points, six steals and five assists and Mia Strand delivered 14 points, fueled by four triples. Red Bank hosts fifth-seeded Steinert on Thursday in the quarterfinals.

On the bubble

Colts Neck (18-7, 11-3): Junior guard Camryn Foltz netted 14 and senior forward Eva Gibson dropped in 10 as the top-seeded Cougars downed Nottingham, 46-29, in the first round of Central Jersey, Group 3. Colts Neck will seek a little revenge when it hosts ninth-seeded Middletown North in the quarterfinals on Thursday. The Lions won their last encounter, 44-43, on Jan. 29.

Toms River East (19-7, 11-3): Senior guard Kamryn Lister pumped in 23 points and junior guard Jordyn Madigan scored 10 as the third-seeded Raiders upended 14th-seeded Moorestown, 56-40, in the opening round of South Jersey, Group 3. They will entertain Toms River South on Thursday with the quarterfinal serving a the rubber match between the crosstown rivals.

Donovan Catholic (21-6, 12): The sixth-seeded Griffins outlasted 11th-seeded Union Catholic, 44-35, in the first round of South Jersey, Non-Public A, sparked by 15 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals from junior guard Paige Slaven, 12 points by 6-0 junior forward Karolina Jarusevicute and 10 points and nine rebounds out of junior forward Jayda Kearney. Donovan Catholic heads to Edison on Thursday to tangle with third-seeded Bishop Ahr.

Jackson Memorial (19-7, 11-3): Sophomore guard Rachel Capua poured in 21 points, junior guard Kristina Donza had 15 points and cleared eight rebounds and senior forward Dani Evans picked up seven points and 10 boards to lead the 10th-seeded Jaguars to a 50-44 win at seventh-seeded Atlantic City in the opening phase of South Jersey, Group 4. They'll head to second-seeded Cherokee on Thursday for a quarterfinal meeting.

Trinity Hall (17-8, 13-1): The Monarchs, who claimed their first B Central division title, edged Howell, 38-34, in a primer before the South Jersey, Non-Public B tournament commenced. They had their hands full Wednesday night, opening state tournament play at seventh-seeded Roselle Catholic.

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