Manasquan Girls Do It Their Way

Al Davis, the late owner of the Oakland Raiders would probably have loved the Manasquan girls basketball team and their “just win baby” attitude.

One win away from capturing the Tournament of Champions and earning the right to call themselves the best team in New Jersey the Warriors saga would make a good book or even a made-for-TV movie.

With a 32-2 record and three championships (Group 3, Class C Central, WOBM Christmas Classic) under their belt you would think it’s been smooth sailing and all smiles but at times the Manasquan team has had more drama then would come with a 2-32 record.

Back in January, “volunteer” assistant coach Tom Flaherty was dismissed by Athletic Director Ron Kornegay, allegedly over the fact that he held illegal practices outside of the school. I’m not close enough to know but have been told by many that Flaherty was as much a head coach as Felix Romero. His daughter Katelynn might be the best sophomore in the state and the elder Flaherty appears to be very close with the core members of the team, especially Michaela and Marina Mabrey.

Here we are many weeks later and that firing is still a sore subject as some parents, including Mrs. Mabrey, attended a Board of Education meeting and let their feelings known. It was not a pleasant meeting and the parents were not happy when the Board did not rescind the dismissal.

Despite the fact he is no longer on the staff, one only has to watch a Manasquan game and know that Tom Flaherty is still involved.

He is usually found across from the Warriors bench and it’s not unusual to hear hit shout to players during the game, some of whom seek him out. Notre Dame-bound Michaela Mabrey, who has been named a McDonald’s All-American and NJ Player of the Year, talks fondly about Flaherty during post-game interviews and after winning the Group 3 title recently it was her who brought the championship trophy over to him in celebration. Many felt it was inappropriate and not fair to Romero but considering the way some adults have behaved it’s hard to be critical of teenagers.

I often feel at times when watching the Warriors play there is little joy and maybe it’s because of high expectations although it might be high anxiety. The team often barks at their opponents, officials and even one another which reached its zenith during their loss to St. Rose in the championship game of the Shore Conference Tournament. Even people who live in the town and have supported Manasquan were embarrassed by the antics and questioned how it was tolerated by the coaching staff and school administrators.

I don’t know Felix Romero well but he seems like a nice man and obviously he can coach. In his third season, he had little experience when he came to Manasquan, although he guided an AAU team to a state championship. It was through that affiliation that he first met Michaela Mabry, who left St. John Vianney after her freshman year and transferred to Manasquan.

A teacher in Perth Amboy, Romero strikes me as someone who does not seek the spotlight and he can’t be enjoying all the aspects of this championship season.

The final chapter of this season will not be written until Tuesday night when Manasquan meets Gill St. Bernard in the Tournament of Champions Final at the Izod Center. Even that might not be the end.

There is growing speculation that freshman Marina Mabrey and Katelynn Flaherty will leave Manasquan after the school year and their next destination could be a place where Tom Flaherty is part of the coaching staff. These are two special players and whether they stay or transfer will have a direct impact on both programs.

Let me add that I find the situation rather sad because this team has had a great season and it’s one that should be enjoyed by the school and community and admired by everyone throughout the Shore. However in some cases the results have had the opposite effect and the Warriors have become a team that many enjoy rooting against.

They’ll have that chance one more time on Tuesday night but my gut tells me that Michaela Mabrey has a big night and will have a chance to raise the TOC Championship trophy.

Question is who will she share that moment with?