SSN Girls Basketball Top 10 – Jan. 1

SHORE SPORTS NETWORK GIRLS BASKETBALL TOP 10
Wednesday, Jan. 1

1-Manchester (5-0)

The Hawks rolled to their third straight WOBM Christmas Classic crown, capping their run with a 70-59 decision over Red Bank in the championship. Junior forward Destiny Adams, who became the first player – boy or girl – in the 36-year history over the event to earn three consecutive MVP awards, stamped the triumph with 31 points and 17 rebounds and junior guard Nahkaleigh Hayes-Jones came off the bench to deliver a productive punch, netting 17.

St. Rose bowed to Bradley Central (Tenn.) in the opening round of the Naples Holiday Shootout but rebounded to collect victories against Fort Myers (Fla.) and Rock Bridge (Mo.). Senior guard Brynn Farrell got off to a sizzling start, averaging 24.2 points per game over the first four contests.

3-St. John Vianney (3-0)

Getting quality leadership and production from a pair of veterans has been a notable factor in the Lady Lancers’ quick start. Sophomore guard Madison St. Rose (16.0 ppg., 7.3 rpg., 4.6 apg., 5.0 spg.) and junior guard Katie Hill (12.6 ppg., 6.6 rpg., 2.3 apg., 2.3 spg.) were catalysts at both end of the floor, driving St. John Vianney to wins over Staten Island Academy and Gill St. Bernard’s at the Lancer Joust.

4-Red Bank Catholic (4-1)

Offensive balance and defensive grit have been the early staples for the Caseys. Sophomore guard Justine Pissott (10.6 ppg.) has accounted for 13 of the 36 3-pointers drained by RBC, including six on Monday when she netted 20 in a triumph against Roland Park Day (Md.) at the Diamond State Classic. Ally Carman (12.2 ppg.), a 6-4 sophomore center, is imposing her will in the paint and RBC is conceding 41.0 points per outing.

5-Rumson-Fair Haven (3-0)  

Despite the absence of integral pieces due to injury, the Bulldogs have overcome the rash of pre-season misfortunes due to the wealth of depth that still comprises the roster. Seniors Lucy Adams, Sophia Passalaqua and Paige Slaven team with junior Cortland McBarron and freshmen Julia Corsentino and Julia Shanes within a rotation that blitzed its first three opponents by an average score of 62.6 to 43.6.

6-Red Bank (4-1)

A redesigned offense that thrives off the versatility of its parts launched the Bucs on a vertical ascent to the title game of the WOBM Christmas Classic, where it gave Manchester all it could handle before bowing, 70-59. Explosive senior guard Taylor Crystian pumped in 30 points in the loss, junior guard Amelia Medolla established herself as a lethal perimeter streak shooter and Red Bank built an arsenal of outside shooters to complement its rigid defense.  

7-Jackson Memorial (2-1)

The Jaguars got out to a 2-0 start before falling to South Jersey power Paul VI. Senior guard Kristina Donza is on fire, averaging 25 points, seven rebounds and two assists per game, junior guard Rachel Capua (18.3 ppg.) has been a handful to contain and senior playmaker Bianca Giordano remains one of the Shore’s premier distributors (6.0 apg.).

8-Colts Neck (3-1)

Impressive victories over Neptune and Middletown South sandwiched a lost to eventual champion Manchester at the WOBM Christmas Classic but the performance by the Cougars confirmed they will be a force to be reckoned with. Senior guard Camryn Foltz has bordered on unstoppable (23.2 ppg.) in the halfcourt.

9-Manasquan (3-1)

The Warriors are young but building a notable chemistry through their unselfishness with the basketball. Sophomore Brooke Hollawell turned in a breakthrough showing at the WOBM Christmas Classic, averaging 18.2 points a game during a 3-1 showing that included wins over Middletown South and Marlboro and a loss to Manchester in the semifinals. 

10-Marlboro (3-2)

The Mustangs kicked off the season with three wins, marked by triumphs over Central and Toms River North in the opening rounds of the WOBM Christmas Classic. However, the event ended with losses to No. 6 Red Bank and No. 9 Manasquan in the semis and consolation round, respectively. Junior forward Jessica Riepe (16.2 ppg.) has already accumulated 17 3-pointers

On the bubble: Toms River North (3-1), Neptune (3-1), Trinity Hall (2-2), Middletown South (2-2), Long Branch (4-0), Freehold Twp. (3-1), Howell (3-1).

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