By Jimmy Allinder
This season, the Monroe Township High School girls basketball team got it right.
A year ago, the Falcons lost the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group IV championship to Marlboro High School but this time managed a program first by winning the sectional championship with a 48-35 triumph over Hunterdon Central Regional High School, 48-35, March 10. It was the 26th victory of this memorable campaign, which ended two nights later when Monroe (26-4) lost to eventual Group IV champion Lenape High School in the state semifinals.
Not only did Monroe eclipse last year’s team for most wins in school history (25 was the previous mark), the Falcons made a second consecutive trip to the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Tournament championship game. Monroe lost to Piscataway Township High School in 2015 and this season, the Falcons were thwarted by East Brunswick High School.
“My coaching staff and I could not be more proud of what this group accomplished this season,” said Leigh Vogtman, who in three seasons at the helm guided her team to 20-plus victories every year and 69-15 overall. “They are so deserving of everything they achieved because it was a result of hard work, dedication, sportsmanship and class.
“I am very fortunate to coach such as a special team. The girls have played basketball together since the fourth grade and are best friends on and off the court.”
Two of the most accomplished athletes, Ashlyn Petersen and Erin Seppi played key roles. Both served as captains and used their natural leadership ability in positive and constructive ways. Petersen, a standout for the GMC championship field hockey team and a regular on the softball team, amassed 1,149 points in her basketball career to become the all-time leading scorer at Monroe. Seppi was one of the premier soccer goalies in the state and became the school’s all-time rebound leader (875). Petersen will attend Franklin and Marshall College and Seppi heads to Boston College upon graduation.
Vogtman said four other seniors also made important contributions.
Grace Martini, Hannah Fisher, Linda Wallentine and Kassidy Utheim were integral parts of Monroe’s signature fast-paced transition game that enabled Vogtman to substitute freely with no dropoff in intensity. Martini, another multi-sport talent, has also lettered in field hockey (leading scorer with 15 goals) and softball, while Fisher is also a regular on the softball team.
“This graduating class has won more division, conference and sectional titles in multiple sports than any other in school history and has set a number of team and individual records,” Vogtman said.
Vogtman mentioned the importance of her coaching staff in maximizing the players’ abilities.
“I am so fortunate to have such outstanding people on the sidelines,” she said. “Keith Hudak (also head softball and assistant field hockey coach) is someone I continue to learn from every year. Sean Field (freshman coach) was always at practices and games after his regular duties and traveled all over New Jersey to scout teams. Meghan Williams and Cindy Foresta (volunteer coaches) routinely participated in practices and provided valuable instruction and guidance.”
With the talented contingent of seniors departing, Vogtman recognizes she faces a major rebuilding job.
“There’s no doubt we’ll feel the loss of this graduating class, but I’m hopeful our [recent] success will help motivate next year’s group to work just as hard and exceed expectations,” she said.