Marlboro seniors getting everyone involved now
Mustangs closing in
on A North title
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

After carrying the load for the last three years, Marlboro High School’s senior captains are willingly sharing it this winter.

Everyone knows of the exploits of Chakhia Cole, Brina Pollack, Jenna Gatto and Christie Kastner on the basketball hardwood. They brought Marlboro its first basketball state championship (Group IV) and first-ever trip to the Tournament of Champions championship game in 2003.

But having done just about all there is to do in high school, the four team captains know that they can’t do it all by themselves and have been reaching out to their teammates. They all realize that they need each other to succeed and the captains have taken the other players under their wings. It has made the Mustangs a better team, and it has made basketball fun again for the celebrated quartet.

"The most pleasant surprise has been watching the seniors step up as leaders," said Mustang head coach Brian Nash. "They got it. They understand how important it is to get everyone involved.

"They’ve been cheerleaders," he said. "They’ve given the other girls confidence. It has made us a deeper team. In big games, if we need them, they will be ready."

That depth has produced a balanced attack that has seen five different players lead the team in scoring.

"We’ve been getting good contributions from everyone," Nash said. "Anat Sibony has stepped up as the fifth starter and Ceci [Sibony], Ilyse Rosenblatt and Laura Murray have been playing well."

Early in the season, Pollack turned an ankle against Middletown North and wasn’t able to return. Ceci Sibony was called on to fill in as point guard and she was ready. The Mustangs were able to pull out a big road win. Marlboro is much more prepared for adversity this time around because the contributions are coming from more players.

There have been times this season, Nash said, when one of the team captains has told him that she didn’t need to play a particular quarter, that it was better to let the others get some valuable playing time.

"Their unselfish play has been the real key," Nash said about the team captains.

Nash has seen a more relaxed team this year, which has been reflected by the play on the court. It’s back to basketball as fun for a group of players who have known nothing but pressure and high expectations since they set foot in Marlboro High School.

"I think with their college decisions made, they’re not worried about points or playing time," Nash said. "They said, ‘it’s our senior year, let’s go have fun.’ "

That they have done. They have already packed away their fourth straight Jack Kuhnert Holiday Basketball Tournament trophy, with a fourth straight Shore Conference A North Division title soon to follow. They are 10-1 and ranked No. 9 in the state.

A lot of big games await Marlboro, including a game on Feb. 7 at home against Philadelphia power Archbishop Carroll at 2 p.m. They will host Staten Island’s St. John Villa on Feb. 10 at 6 p.m. and then the Shore Conference Tournament and NJSIAA state playoffs later that month.

An early season drubbing at the hands of No. 1-ranked and defending Tournament of Champions winner Shabazz may have been a blessing in disguise for this team. People stopped taking the Mustangs seriously, even if they are ranked ninth in the state. They are now the underdog — something new and inviting to them.

"They love it," Nash said about his team’s role as the underdog. "There’s not a whole lot of pressure on them. It has helped the chemistry."