SSN Girls Basketball Top 10 – Feb. 4

Shore Sports Network Girls Basketball Top 10

Vote for SSN Girls Basketball Player of the Week - poll closes Wednesday, 10 pm

1-St. John Vianney (15-1, 9-0) Last week: 1

A vicious defense that was limiting opponents to 31.3 points per game ran into a buzzsaw Friday night. The Lady Lancers absorbed their first loss, falling to host Long Island Lutheran, 77-51, despite sophomore guard Madison St. Rose and junior guard Katie Hill each collecting 11 points, seven rebounds, five steals and four assists. A busy week awaits; Vianney hosts No. 5 Red Bank on Tuesday, heads back to New York to visit Christ the King on Thursday and entertains Colts Neck on Friday.

2-Manchester (16-3, 11-0) Last week: 3

The gold standard in the B South, Manchester ran its win streak against divisional competition to 30 by picking up triumphs against Pinelands, Donovan Catholic and Point Boro. The Hawks nest one spot higher than a week ago and, while the offensive contributions of freshman Gabrielle Ross and sophomore Amayah Bray have alleviated some of the scoring burden off 6-3 junior Destiny Adams, one of the biggest underlying factors for Manchester has been its full-court pressure and assertive halfcourt defense that surrenders 39.0 points a night.

3-Red Bank Catholic (14-3, 9-1) Last week: 2

The Caseys fall a place in the poll after bowing to No. 7 Rumson-Fair Haven, 51-50, in a nailbiter on Thursday, their first loss in A Central. Notable in the defeat: the Bulldogs became just the second team this winter to surpass 50 points against RBC’s stingy resistance. The other was Long Island Lutheran, which downed the Caseys, 61-51, at the Diamond State Classic in late December. 

4-St. Rose (12-5, 8-2) Last week: 4

Senior guard Brynn Farrell bounced back from a season-low six points in a loss to No. 3 Red Bank Catholic to fire in 24 on Thursday and the Purple Roses needed every bit of it to ward off upset-minded Shore, 57-53. Senior forward Makayla Andrews (10.2 ppg.) is averaging 12.7 points per contest over the last four games. 

5-Red Bank (13-3, 9-1) Last week: 5

The Bucs continue to harvest the rewards of a balanced backcourt. Senior Taylor Crystian (13.2 ppg.) and juniors Chloe Teter (13.9 ppg.), Amelia Medolla (10.3 ppg.) and Caityln Decker (8.75 ppg.) effortlessly share the basketball and the fruits of their labor.  

6-Marlboro (13-2, 8-0) Last week: 6

Having ironed out some wrinkles to the System, the Mustangs are in the midst of some of their finest work. After pocketing wins against Manalapan and Freehold to remain unbeaten in its defense of the A North crown, Marlboro has run off 10 consecutive victories. It should come as no surprise that during the streak, the Stangs have it 105 3-pointers, with junior forward Jessica Riepe (14.5 ppg., 54 3-pointers) accounting for 37 of them. 

7-Rumson-Fair Haven (13-4, 7-3) Last week: 7

The resilience of the Bulldogs came to light last week. After dropping back-to-back encounters against No. 6 Marlboro and No. 9 Manasquan, Rumson-Fair Haven scored its biggest win to date, outlasting No. 3 Red Bank Catholic, 51-50, on Thursday. Senior guard Paige Slaven sank an off-balance floater with nine seconds left to put the Dawgs in front. On Saturday, Slaven and freshman guard Julia Corsentino each flipped in 20 points to help RFH fend off Middletown South, 78-70.

8-Jackson Memorial (15-2, 11-0) Last week: 8

The Jags topped Toms River East, 70-52, on Monday for their 10th straight triumph. Senior guard Kristina Donza (26.9 ppg.) marked the occasion by striking for a season-high 35 points and senior point guard Bianca Giordano (6.4 apg.) handed out eight assists. 

9-Manasquan (11-6, 7-3) Last week: 9

Sophomore Mary Donnelly, a 6-0 swing, collected 17 points, six rebounds, six assists and three blocks on Thursday to help the Warriors top Holmdel, 54-40, for their second win in a row. That run was short lived. Chatham downed Manasquan, 54-44, on Saturday.

10-Long Branch (12-3, 5-3)

A senior-laden cast, paced by 6-0 guard and double-double machine Anyssa Fields (17.4 ppg. 13.0 rpg.) has won seven straight with none bigger than the one it pocketed Friday night. Rugged senior forward Madison Grayson picked up 12 points and 17 boards, Fields went for 13 and 10 and junior guard Jada Rogers scored 12 on four 3-pointers as the Green Wave defeated Neptune, 42-34.

On the bubble: Neptune (12-5, 8-2); Trinity Hall (14-5, 11-0); Donovan Catholic (12-6, 8-2).

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