Coaches building for future in summer league
Freehold Township H.S. hosting basketball league
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
John Sciarappa is taking a more involved approach to his coaching this summer.

ERIC SUCAR staff Freehold Township's Carli Dixon tries to find an open teammate during their girls basketball summer league game against Ocean Township held at Freehold Township High School earlier this month.

The Freehold Township High School girls basketball coach had taken a "just let them play" approach to the Freehold Township Recreation's Summer Basketball League held at the high school on Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

This summer, he's coaching the team more like it was a regular season game in the winter. He even had some practices before the end of school. The reason, "I have a veteran squad."

There's another reason. While the Pats are a veteran team, 2008-09 will also be a transition season. Sciarappa must find a replacement for the graduated Adj Tepedino, a four-year starter at point guard.

He's been looking at Cristina Barthel and Stephanie Cardamone to do more ball handling. Sciarappa is also taking more of a look at sophomore Brittany Incorvia.

The two things he is looking for from his point guard are 1) control the ball and 2) stay away from turnovers.

While he is running set plays that the team will use when the high school season comes around, Sciarappa is also experimenting with his rotation and what positions his players play.

"It's the perfect time to do it," he said. "I'm juggling things around to see what works."

The eight varsity teams in the summer league all have different goals.

Howell lost the veteran leadership of point guard Denise Crudup and shooting guard Michelle Blum. But Bill Gallacher had a number of underclassmen who showed promise last year, among them was guard Jackie Ward. This summer, those underclassmen are gaining experience by playing together and trying to reach their potential as individuals and as a collective unit.

Marlboro has a veteran team that is looking to build up its backcourt. In Meghan Reilly, coach Brian Nash has one of the Shore's best frontcourt players. Getting complementary play from the backcourt is what he's looking for.

Middletown South coach Tom Brennan is breaking in new players to surround guard Danielle Pankey.

It's A North [Division] all over again with these four, Sciarappa noted, and, their games have been very competitive.

Audra Corson's Monmouth Regional team was very young last year, and the summer league is providing the team with the opportunity to gain much-needed playing experience together. Jessica Ford, Jennifer Hughes, Tara Patti and Ana Apat are the Golden Falcons big players.

Sayreville had only two seniors last winter and coach Tara Bouchard is looking to get her returnees some additional time together to jell. Allie Couzo, Heather Roy and Keira Williams are among the key returnees.

Manasquan is turning to the likes of Kelly Gepp, Shanai Sanders and Victoria Grille to get the Big Blue back to its winning ways and it starts with the summer league.

Along with planning for next year, there are four teams looking further down the road. There are four jayvee teams that play each other — Freehold Township, Manasquan, Howell and Ocean Township. The goal for the coaches here is to take a look at their raw talent and see who might be ready to contribute this coming season.

Sciarappa is looking at incoming freshmen as well.

"It's a chance to see what they can do," he said.

Games are played Tuesday and Thursday evenings through July 29.

There are three doubleheaders each night starting at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. The league uses the main gym and the blue gym for its total of six games each night.