By Matthew Rocco
A battle-tested Red Bank Regional High School girls’ basketball team is ready for whatever the Shore Conference Tournament throws at them.
After a slow start to the season, the Lady Buccaneers found their stride. The team rebounded from losses to Red Bank Catholic High School and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School in early January by winning 10 of their next 13 games. The Lady Buccaneers are prepared to make a run at a postseason title, considering the high level of competition this season.
“We’re battle tested. We’ve played one of the more difficult schedules in the area,” head coach James Young said. “We’re battle tested going into the Shore Conference Tournament and especially the state tournament.”
Red Bank Regional plays in one of the toughest divisions around. Shore Conference A Central foes Saint John Vianney High School (19-3) and Rumson-Fair Haven (17-4) have handed the Lady Buccaneers two losses apiece this season. But Young believes the scars of the regular season will be worth it once the postseason gets underway.
“We’re familiar with their personnel, but it can also be a disadvantage because they know yours,” he said. “We have to play with confidence. It’s a big thing this time of year. The game will slow down a bit, and there won’t be as many fast-break opportunities. You have to have confidence in what you run [on offense] and how you defend.”
The Lady Buccaneers are looking for their veterans to take charge in the stretch run, as they have all season.
Senior point guard Grace Dengler, Red Bank Regional’s leading scorer, posted 14 points in a 52-24 win over Raritan High School last week. Fellow senior Emma Keegan contributed seven points.
In a 49-41 loss to Holmdel High School, Dengler had 12 points, and senior forward Noelle Halpin scored 10.
Red Bank Regional has a total of seven seniors on the squad, making these Lady Buccaneer one of the more experienced teams Young has seen during his tenure. The senior class will be an asset to the Lady Buccaneers as they prepare for the biggest games of the year.
“We’re an experienced team. The way our seven seniors have led is outstanding. They care for each other on and off the court, and they’re involved in the community. This is the best senior group in my basketball life in a long time,” Young said. “I want them to see the reward for playing their best.”
Red Bank Regional also has a deep roster at its disposal. Sophomore Meghan Murray and junior Bridget Tobin are two of the team’s top scoring threats.
“The best thing about this team I have this year is we are better than the sum of our parts. Everyone is scoring and rebounding. It’s about us collectively playing well, and offensively, finding who is the hot hand that night. We really believe in collective responsibility,” Young said.
Red Bank Regional (14-8) earned the 10th seed in the Shore Conference Tournament, pairing the Lady Buccaneers with No. 23-seed Barnegat High School in the first round. Manasquan High School, Red Bank Catholic, St. John Vianney, Rumson-Fair Haven and St. Rose High School are the top five seeds, listed in order.
In the NJSIAA tournament, the fourth-seeded Lady Buccaneers will play Feb. 28 against Hamilton High School West — the 13th seed in Central Jersey Group III.
The Lady Buccaneers are scheduled to host Wall High School in a regular-season matchup Feb. 23 at 4:30 p.m.