By Jeff Appelblatt
Whether it was sparked by games against them, overall consistency or a combination of the two, the Freehold Regional High School District (FRHSD) girls’ basketball coaches remembered some opponents more than others.
In turn, the six FRHSD coaches gave their votes on which players in the district presented the biggest challenges to opposing teams.
The top five players in the district this year, as selected by the coaches, were:
Molly Weiss, Marlboro High School (14-14): The senior made it into every game this season, knocking down an average of two 3-pointers en route to nine points per contest. In all, Weiss got into the middle of things on both sides of the ball. On defense, she picked off at least one pass made by each opponent and on offense, she helped her teammates score, connecting on about 2.5 assists per game.
Jessica Broad, Marlboro: Most of the Mustangs offense flowed through this junior. Broad regularly got to the hoop herself, where she dropped 13.5 points per game. Broad also grabbed six boards, dished out a pair of assists and added in a block and a steal in each outing.
Sam Roth, Colts Neck High School (13-12): The senior anchored the Cougars offense this season, scoring more than 11 points per game and passing for about three assists. Roth also pulled down 3.5 rebounds and pulled away almost two steals per game.
Rachel Gazzola, Howell High School (16-10): The junior, who only saw the court nine times as a sophomore, had a breakout season for the Rebels. She not only got into every game this year, but she also became Howell’s top offensive threat. Gazzola’s 13 points per game led the way for Howell.
Brianna Cucinelli, Freehold Township High School (12-14): With about 10 points per game, the Patriots’ senior was one of Freehold Township’s top scorers. She also produced 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals on a regular basis for the Patriots.
Also selected as top players by coaches in the district were:
Cara Volpe, Colts Neck: The junior missed some games, but when she was on the court, she was a force to be reckoned with. In the 16 games she played, Volpe averaged 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists.
Sarah Hughes, Freehold Township: A junior, Hughes took on a crucial role for the Patriots when senior Hailee Poricelli got injured within the first half of the season. Hughes proceeded to score 10.5 points and grab 6.5 rebounds per game for Freehold Township.
Kerry Tanke, Manalapan High School (2-18): Tanke was one of the few bright spots for Manalapan amid its two-win season. The junior scored 13 points per contest. While she was capable of sinking shots from the outside, Tanke most often drove to the basket and frequented the free-throw line.
Sydney Pryzgoda, Freehold High School (8-13): Perhaps no one anticipated the junior would lead the Colonials offense, but when last year’s top producer, Sierra Strong, got injured in the second game of the season, Pryzgoda stepped up to the plate. She took hold of the offense, scoring 14 points per game, and she led the team in rebounds with 5.5 per contest.
Hailee Poricelli, Freehold Township: Her senior year was another campaign filled with injuries, but when she did see the court, the Stockton University-bound athlete gave her all on the court — something that was noticed throughout the district. In the 13 games the senior played, she contributed more than nine points and four rebounds per game.
Student-athletes earning honorable mention by the district coaches were Danna Meier (Manalapan), Jaime Prestigiacomo (Colts Neck), Jessica O’Brien (Howell), Lauren Kocsis (Howell), Liz Capestro (Howell) and Olivia Duffy (Freehold).