Patriots girls restored basketball tradition
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
The Freehold Township girls basketball team enjoyed a renaissance this winter.

The Patriots made girls basketball matter as theywon 17 games, captured theKuhnert Holiday Basketball Tournament and picked up wins in the Shore Conference Tournament and state playoffs.

After missing out on the postseason in recent campaigns, the Pats' rallying cry for 2007-08 was to "qualify" for the postseason tournaments. They did more than that as they become one of the Shore's best teams despite playing in the tough Shore Conference A North Division and tackling a challenging schedule.

Under veteran head coach John Sciarappa, whose career-win total stands at 368, the Patriots were accustomed to playing in March. That had changed in recent years. At school, he missed the buzz that there used to be around the program. This year's club brought it back.

"They made it [basketball team] a happening," he remarked. "Kids were talking about them in the hallway. They loved the way we played."

Which was to get the maximum out of their potential on every night. Minus a postup player who could force double teams or a guard who could break a defense down off the dribble, the Patriots collectively utilized their talents to bring Sciarappa one of his most rewarding seasons.

Freehold Township was able to play the uptempo style that Sciarappa prefers and is entertaining. He had a combination of talent and athleticism that had been missing as well as depth. They were also able to play a more physical game.

"Every game was a battle and we didn't back down to anyone," said Sciarappa.

The good news is that the Patriots are on their way to making this kind of season a tradition. They will lose three seniors, Adj Tependino (a four-year starter at point guard), Erin Cordiner and Lindsey Sai, but will have a strong core to build around next year with Christina Barthel, Kayla Borden, Stephanie Cardamone, Gabby Laspisa, Alexis Stenftennagel and Courtney Kozal all returning. Barthel led the team is scoring (12 points a game) and was second to Tepedino in assists, while Borden is one of the top-three point shooters in the Shore and averaged 10.1 ppg.

Last week, the Pats beat East Brunswick for the second time this season, 43-26, in the first round of the Central Jersey Group IV tournament. Borden (15) and Barthel (11) led an offense that had seven different scorers. But, it was the defense that was the difference. The visiting Bears didn't reach 20 points until the fourth quarter.

Newly crowned Shore Conference Tournament champion Colts Neck ended the Pats 2007-08 run on Feb. 27 with a 42- 23 win at home in the CJ quarterfinals.

The loss did not end the memories or the achievements of this Patriot team (17- 10) that made girls basketball something to talk about this winter.