BY DOUG McKENZIE
Staff Writer
Red Bank Catholic girls basketball coach Joe Montano has one of those programs that always seems to reload rather than rebuild.
Take last year’s team for example. After graduating nine seniors over the previous two seasons, and featuring just one returning starters, the Caseys still found a way to put together a stellar 18-9 campaign, which included a trip to the NJSIAA Non-Public South A sectional finals.
RBC lost Kristen Linderoth, now a starting forward for Catholic University’s women’s team, to graduation, but returns four starters this winter, as they look to continue what Montano describes as a “learning process,” but what is more than likely more of a return to glory.
The Caseys don’t have any seniors in the starting lineup this season, but still have plenty of experienced players throughout the roster. And after last year’s “learning process,” the Caseys should be an improved squad this time around.
The expectations are certainly there as the Caseys entered the season as the second-ranked team in the state behind Shabazz of Newark.
Sophomore Kim Talbot is back to lead the team from the point guard spot. Talbot started last year as a freshman, and emerged as a floor leader as the season progressed.
Junior Jenna Strich is her backcourt mate, and is the player Montano thinks could emerge as the team leader over the course of the season. However, that process will have to wait, as Strich rolled an ankle last week and is temporarily out of action.
Junior Mia DePalo is back at the small forward position, where she is the perfect complement to power forward Kristen Danella, the team’s leading scorer and rebounder last year. Danella is coming off a brilliant freshman season, one that saw her earn All-Shore and All-County honors, and expects to continue to emerge as one of the top young players in the state.
Another sophomore, Kristina Coppolino will start at center, after logging significant varsity minutes off the bench last year.
Montano did an excellent job of spreading the minutes around last year among his bench players, which will certainly pay dividends this year, with several players with varsity experience waiting in the wings.
Among those players are junior guard Megan Hall, sophomore guard Katherine Fox, junior forward Kassie McCarthy, junior forward Brooke Stevenson, junior guard Christina Rogers and senior center Mollie Hampton.
Thus far, the Caseys are preparing for what is without question one of the toughest schedules in the state.
“This is probably the most difficult schedule we’ve had to date,” Montano said. “On top of playing [division rivals] St. John Vianney, Rumson-Fair Haven and Manasquan twice each, we have four out-of-state games against top teams.”
The first of those games was on Sunday, when the Caseys dominated powerhouse St. John Villa of New York. 51-36. RBC took control of the contest from the opening tip, outscoring St. John Villa 15-0 in the first quarter. The Caseys used a balanced scoring effort to cruise to the win, led by Danella’s 13 points.
On Tuesday, they took on Manasquan for the first time, and will be heading to Delaware next week to take part in the Diamond State Classic, where they will face two of the state’s elite teams.
In January, they will take on Shabazz as part of the Battle on the Boardwalk, before wrapping up the regular season in February with a date with New York City powerhouse Christ the King.
Thus far, Montano is happy with what he’s seen from his team, but adds that the team will not be at full strength for a while.
“We’re looking good, but we’ve had some injuries at the start and haven’t had a full team yet,” he said
“We’re still young,” he added. “We’re not starting any seniors, but because of last year, when we cut our teeth a bit and got some experience, we should be improved.”
But unlike the rest of the state, the coach maintains that he’s not sure he’s ready to consider his team one of the state’s elite teams just yet.
“I think we’ve got a long way to go before we can be spoken about in that category,” he said. “I think that is a different level, but certainly the opportunity to reach that level is there.”
And with such a difficult schedule looming, the Caseys should reach that level by season’s end.
“Hopefully, our schedule will allow us to continue our maturing process,” the coach said.
So far, so good for young but talented Caseys

