Monroe High School’s Erica Junquet, left, is guarded by Marlboro High School’s Tatum Evans as she drives the baseline during the March 10 NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV finals played in Monroe. The Falcons’ bid for a sectional championship was thwarted in overtime by the Mustangs, 60-52. STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC SUCAR South River High School girls basketball coach Mike Feaster sat on the bench as he watched the Haddon Township High School players celebrate their 56-27 win over the Rams.
“I thought [to myself] that’s where we want to be,” said Feaster, whose team’s season ended with the loss in the NJSIAA Group I semifinals on March 12 at Deptford High School. “We’re going through a lot of heartache now, but playing a team of that caliber was worthwhile because our girls have a better idea of what it takes to win at this level.”
Feaster said the same thing a year ago when South River lost to Metuchen High School in the Central Jersey Group I finals. On March 9, the Rams faced Middlesex High School with the sectional title on the line and overcame a one-point deficit with just over a minute left to prevail, 40-37.
The Monroe Township High School girls’ 60-52, overtime defeat to Marlboro High School on March 10 in the Central Jersey Group IV finals marked the second time the Falcons (21-6) lost a tournament championship game in an extra session. The first time was when Monroe dropped a 77-74, overtime decision to Piscataway Township High School in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Tournament title game on Feb. 26.
A year ago, Monroe eliminated Marlboro, 54-37, in the sectional quarterfinals; however, the Mustangs were without their top player, Nicole Shatsky, who was the difference in the most recent encounter by scoring 27 points.
This is the first time in program history the Falcons played in the GMC and sectional championship games.
Point guard Erica Junquet, who averaged 14.1 points and seven assists per game, was on the floor for every game and was the team’s unquestioned leader. Forward Cindy Foresta was a strong defender and rebounder who averaged 7.6 points.
Both graduate, but Monroe will build around a strong nucleus that includes junior leading scorer Ashlyn Peterson (14.5 ppg), top rebounder junior Erin Seppi (9.1) and sophomore Casey Filiault, who became more valuable as the season progressed.
Others who will compete for spots in the rotation are juniors Grace Martini, Kassidy Utheim and Hannah Fisher.
South River (24-6) hopes to capitalize on its state tournament experience and will be led by one of the top players in the GMC, junior Gabrielle Harris, who averaged 21.7 points.
Harris’ return will bolster South River’s attack and ensure that the Rams continue to be one of the top Group I teams in Central Jersey.
However, one of the top priorities is replacing point guard Alyssa Barry (7.8 ppg), who was adept at getting the ball in Harris’ hands. Another player who departs is senior forward Alyssa Andrejic, who was a strong rebounder and defender.
“You don’t replace a player like Alyssa [Barry] and Alyssa [Andrejic], but try and adapt to your strengths,” Feaster said. “No doubt, Gabby will be [on the ball] more than she has been so she can get as many scoring chances as possible.”
Feaster believes Harris will be able to replace Barry as the team’s leader.
“Gabby possesses a low-key demeanor but maintains a laser-like focus when it comes to doing whatever is necessary to win,” Feaster said. “We plan to depend on her [in a lot of ways] next year.”
Besides Harris, the Rams return leading rebounder and second leading scorer Aleah Bass, who averaged 11.7 points and 11.6 rebounds, and junior Jessica Schmidt as seasoned starters.
“If [all] the girls put in the time during the offseason, there’s no reason we can’t continue to improve,” Feaster said.