Jackson Memorial High School’s Shena Vega brings the ball up the court as Wall High School’s Nora Burdge provides the defensive pressure during the recent WOBM Christmas Classic at the Pine Belt Arena in Toms River. The Crimson Knights won the game, 43-30. MATT DENTON Senior point guard Shena Vega will lead Jackson Memorial High School’s girls basketball team in its bid for a sixth straight Shore Conference A South Division championship.
The Jaguars come off the holiday break with a 2-2 record after beating Toms River High School East in the consolation round of the WOBM Holiday Christmas Classic. Vega led Jackson Memorial with 48 total points through the tournament, which included an opening-round victory over Toms River High School North, a second-round loss to Wall High School and the consolation victory. Kelly Jamison, a 6-foot senior forward, is one of three returning starters, while sophomore Daria Jones, who saw increased minutes late last season when the Jaguars went 22-8, is the second-leading scorer.
“We are a completely new team with good potential,” said coach Rachel Goodale, whose team opened its season with a 47-31 loss to A South opponent Brick Memorial High School. “Once we establish team chemistry, I think we can make another run. We need to become better defensively and take care of the ball.”
Senior guard Morgan Williams, and 5- foot-11 junior Jenna McDonnell also played a lot last season. How well the starters jell and the rest of the lineup develops will determine how far the Jaguars advance in the NJSIAA tournament, where they won the Group IV championship two seasons ago.