Freehold Borough’s girls basketball team has a lot going for it. The Colonials have experience and depth. They can beat teams inside or outside, and on defense they can get after you.Athletically, they canmatch up with anyone in the Shore.
But nothing is more important to their success on the hardwood than their collective will to win. These girls don’t like to lose at anything. That’s why they are closing in on the B North Division championship.
Head coach Jen Brzucki sees the competitiveness in every game.
“My girls don’t give up – ever,” she remarked. ”
The 13-2 Colonials took charge of B North on Thursday, beating Ocean Township 58-31 behind Shannon Mayrose’s 25 points, avenging their only division loss. That win gave the Colonials a two-game lead in the loss column (8-1 to Ocean’s 7- 3). With one more win, the Colonials will clinch no worse than a co-championship.
“We’re playing good basketball right now,” said Brzucki. “I feel we’re peaking.
“The girls are fired up,” she added. “We’re just so hungry to win.”
The Colonials are playing well on both ends of the floor.
“Defensively, we’ve really stepped it up,” said Brzucki.
The Colonials have been winning by double-digit margins routinely, and it all starts on the defensive end, where they make it very difficult for teams to get comfortable running their half-court offense.
Jackie Scalgione, the team’s “sixth man,” has been demonstrating her offensive talents as well, netting 14 points in a recent win.
“She’s a great defensive player,” said Brzucki. “She has a green light to shoot, like everyone else on the team.”
Scalgione has been a little more comfortable taking that shot this year, and it’s one more option for the team.
The Colonials boast two of the best players in the Shore in Mayrose and Shemonyeh Allen.
Mayrose currently leads the Shore in scoring (19 points per game). The forward runs the floor so well and is fearless taking the ball to the basket. She is a very tough match-up for anyone.
Allen is averaging 13 points a game. Besides being a fluid player who can finish and take it to the basket, she brings the three-point shot into play. With 18, she is among the Shore’s leaders.
Ashley Lewis gives the Colonials a onetwo tandem behind the arc.
Freehold Borough’s offense stretches defenses with its inside-outside combination.
The Colonials offense has been more efficient in the half court, and that corresponds directly to the play of point guard Alexandra Eagle. She has been distributing the ball, getting everyone involved and has become more of a scoring threat this year, giving defense yet another concern.
“She brings so much to the table,” said Brzucki.
Quasonna Moore has become a scoring force inside and has recently provided the team with a third player scoring in double figures.
Off the bench, Simone Dixon is a major cog in the defense.
With three games remaining in the division, Freehold Borough needed one more win to gain no worse than a share of the title. The Colonials hosted Monmouth Regional Monday night with a chance to clinch. They are atMatawan on Thursday (6:30 p.m.) and close it out on Monday at home against Wall (5:30 p.m.).
Two wins in those three games, and the championship is Freehold Borough’s outright.
The Shore Conference is so wide open this year that the Colonials are certainly a team no one wants to play. Last night they were at last year’s SCT finalist, Rumson- Fair Haven, for a game that would have an impact on the seedings for sure.