Howell girls maintain program's winning ways
Rebel girls back in state playoffs
BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer

To paraphrase Mark Twain, rumors of Howell's demise were greatly exaggerated.

After graduating its finest senior class in team history, the Howell High School girls basketball program stood at a crossroads. Were the Rebels headed toward the ranks of the also-rans, or had they established something, a continuity, that would carry on past its remarkable class of 2006?

The resounding answer has been that continuity has won out. The Rebels were 11-6 at the end of play last week and headed back to the NJSIAA tournament.

"The kids are doing well," said head coach Julie Hoebee. "They've really stepped up to the plate."

Howell made a big statement on Jan. 30 when the Rebels handed Manchester (16-2), ranked in the Top 10 in the Shore, only its second loss of the year, and it was decisive, 72-57.

Denise Crudup (21) and Michelle Blum (19) combined for 40 points to lead the Rebels to their biggest win of the season. Marguax Pickell was the team's inside force, pounding the Hawks with 12 points and 15 rebounds.

Blum and Erin Donahue, who were key figures for the Rebels the past two years, have added leadership to their overall play, which has been outstanding. Blum is averaging a team-high 11.5 points a game with Donahue at 10.2. A freshman, Jackie Ward, is third at 9.0. Blum has become the leading three-point shooter.

Pickell has been a big presence under the glass, averaging 12.5 caroms a game, putting her among the leading rebounders in the Shore.

Crudup has been playing a solid all-around game on both ends of the floor and is the team's best free throw shooter. The Rebels want her on the line in late-game situations.

Howell has been playing an up-tempo style this winter, getting after teams with a full-court, man-to-man press.

"We're quick," noted Hoebee. "We're looking to run people and force turnovers."

The Rebels are in Central Jersey Group IV.

Howell is one of three teams from the Freehold Regional District that are headed for the state playoffs. Teams had to be .500 or better after play on Saturday.

Freehold Borough (12-3) and Colts Neck (13-4) are in and could be playing home games in the early rounds.

The Colonials have been one of the 10 best teams in the Shore area all year. They are a fine blend of athleticism and team play, youth and experience.

The Mayrose sisters, Alyssa and Shannon, so much a part of the team's return to the postseason last year, no longer have to do it by themselves. Under Jen Brzucki, the team has matured and more players are taking part in the offense.

Freshman Sehmonyeh Allen is delivering on her promise daily, and is becoming more and more of a major player with each game.

Point guard Alexandra Eagle has become more offensive-minded, giving teams something else to think about, and Ashley Lewis remains one of the best three-point shooters in the conference.

Off the bench, Jackie Scalgione and Quasonna Moore lead a very deep bench.

Last week, the Colonials beat their recent nemesis, Monmouth Regional, for the second time this year. Allen had 17 points, including three treys (she's added the long-range jumper to her repertoire), while Shannon Mayrose led all scorers with 25.

The Colonials play in Central Jersey Group III.

Colts Neck has been a work in progress for coach John Truhan, and the progress has been both steady and spectacular. The Cougars' talented freshmen are getting better with every game, and that will make them more dangerous in March.

Guard Brooke Hampton recently scored a school-record 37 points in a game. She's averaging just under 18 points a game (third best in the Shore) and has knocked down 22 threes (third best). She is also averaging 3.5 assists a game.

Hampton's backcourt mate, Lauren Clarke, is having an equally impressive freshman season. She's averaging 14 points a game, and she and Hampton are making the three a major weapon for the Cougars.

Clarke started last week tied for the most threes in the Shore at 27. She's also handing out 4.4 assists a game.

Defensively, the guards are combining for more than four steals a game.

The third of Colts Neck's freshman starters, Tiffany DeTulio, is another long-range shooter that defenses have to worry about. She's knocked down 13 treys.

Veterans Crystal Butler and Jackie Spinella are the starters up front, with Melanie Wilmot (another three-point threat), Nicole Vaccarella, Michele Cordaro, Brittany Howes and Kim Campfield making this a very deep team that can press teams for 32 minutes.

Saturday will be the deadline for teams to be .500 or better for the Shore Conference Tournament. The three state-playoff-bound teams are safe.

Marlboro could get to .500.

Brian Nash has a team that has gone through growing pains of its own this year, with so many new faces and young players. The Mustangs have also had their own trio of freshmen playing significant roles this year in Stephanie Carlone, Brianna Nicholls and Amanda Junkierski.

Sophomore forward Meghan Reilly has played well following a season in which she was one of the best ninth-graders in the Shore. Senior Jill Kwapick has contributed with her ball-handling skills and experience.