Week in Sports: Previewing Girls Basketball

After four of the area’s six teams made impressive runs in their respective NJSIAA tournaments last spring, it will be tough for Monmouth County girls basketball to offer a repeat performance in 2011-12. It is possible, however, for the season to be just as or perhaps even more exciting if said successful teams show their same level of play and those who lacked last season improve for the upcoming one.

At the bottom of the barrel in 2010-11 were both Middletown North and Monmouth Regional. The two schools each had a mere six wins and 15 and 14 losses, respectively.

Two Monmouth County Group III teams fell victim to Neptune High School last year, as both Middletown South and Red Bank Regional faltered against the eventual 2011 group champion. Red Bank Regional, who acquired a 9-13 regular season record lost to the Scarlet Fliers in the quarter final round, while the Lions of South lost to Neptune in the tournament’s final four. Middletown South ended the 2010-11 regular season with an impressive 14-7 record.

Two other teams will be seeking revenge through the coming months, as and Red Bank Catholic look to step up their game. After starting their season with an impressive seven-game winning streak and accumulating a division-best 19-6 overall record, the Bulldogs fell just short of a group title, losing to Shabazz in the NJSIAA Group II Final. Meanwhile, the Caseys of RBC started their season ripping off an even more impressive nine straight, yet still fell to St. John Vianney in the championship game of the NJSIAA Non-Public South-A tournament.

All these story lines and more to be made along the way are sure to keep fans interested in girls basketball for the 2011-12 season!