By CHRIS CHRISTOPHER
Year in and year out, the Neptune High School girls basketball team is among the finest in the Shore Conference.
Look for the Scarlet Fliers to put another strong team on the court.
NEPTUNE
Head coach: John Brown, 10th season
Assistant coaches: Kerri Quinn, Keshon Bennett
Career record: 224-31
Last year’s record: 23-3
Key returners: 5-foot-7 guard-forward Brianna Love (2017), 5-foot-5 guard Desiree Allen (2017), 5-foot-7 guard Alexa Vreeland (2016), 5-foot-6 forward Kaeyln Kimbrough (2016), 5-foot-4 guard Alexis Bennett (2017)
Key newcomers: 5-foot-7 guard Rahmena Henderson (2019), 5-foot-3 guard Precious Allah (2018), 5-foot-9 forward Lydia Clancy (2017), 5-foot guard Genny Feria-Cruz (2019), 5-foot-5 guard Di’Avian Foster, 5-foot-4 guard Taylor Gardner (2018), 6-foot-2 center Sierra Hollins (2018), 6-foot-1 forward Caley Hourihan (2016), 5-foo-5 guard Liz Kunze (2018), 5-foot-6 guard Makayla Mincey (2018), 5-foot-10 center Princess Nazien (2016), 5-foot-6 forward Promise Robinson (2019).
Manager: Arianna Joyner (2018)
Outlook: Allen figures to again provide scoring as she averaged 14.2 points per game last year for second on the team in scoring. She ruled the backboards, averaging 10.6 rebounds per game. She scrapped for 80 steals, averaging 3.2 thefts per outing. She added 24 assists in 25 games.
Brown also hopes for strong seasons from Love, Vreeland, Kimbrough and Bennett. Love averaged 7.2 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game last year. She added 36 assists in 26 games. Vreeland posted norms of 3.9 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. Kimbrough scored at a rate of 1.3 points per game and averaged 2.8 rebounds per contest. Bennett contributed 4.1 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per outing.
OCEAN TOWNSHIP
Head coach: Michael Lazur, second year
Last year’s record: 15-13
Key returners: Senior guard Ali Weinstein, senior forward Gianna Errico
Key newcomers: Senior forward Katie Molloy, junior guard-forward Tyler Barlett, freshman forward Morgan Barlett, freshman guard Sanaa Finley, junior forward Deniz Degirmenci, freshman guard Madison Mastando, freshman guard Nicole DiNaro, freshman guard-forward Emily Dorony, freshman forward Natalia Errico, freshman forward Jasia Green, freshman guard-forward Carly Weisberg
Outlook: Gianna Errico averaged five points and three rebounds per game last year in 25 games. Weinstein played in all 28 games a year ago, averaging three points, two rebounds and two assists per game.
“Our team is a work in progress,” Lazur said. “After enjoying a very successful 2014-15 campaign, we lost more than 90 percent of our offense and rebounding as well as a group of experienced seniors. With only a few returning program players, we will look to gain valuable experience for the future while trying to find a competitive balance in a very tough division day in and day out.”
Lazur said the teams to beat on the Spartans’ schedule are Red Bank Catholic, Colts Neck and Neptune.
MONMOUTH REGIONAL
Head coach: Audra Corson
Last year’s record: 6-15
Key returners: Senior guard Ashley Rust, senior forward Halena Martin, senior forward Kristina Matthews, senior guard Juliana Faccone, junior guard Gianna Sabin
Key newcomers: Junior forward Karly Trillhaase, sophomore guard Marisa Santoro, freshman guards Jayda Bing, Charlotte Gage, Madison Searight
Outlook: Corson hopes for an improved team.
“We are looking to improve on last year’s record,” she said. “We want to qualify for the Shore Conference and state tournaments.”
The Falcons will compete in the Lady Wave Christmas Tournament at Long Branch.
