Lancers win state title

It’s March, which in high school girls basketball means it’s St. John Vianney time. No program in the state has mastered state championship basketball like the Lancers. Last week they won the NJSIAA Non-Public South A and Non-Public A state titles for the 14th time each and advanced to the Tournament of Champions, where they are the defending champions. SJV has won a record six TOC crowns.

St. John Vianney’s Kat Egan (l) and Immaculate Heart Academy’s Ali Volant battle for possession of a loose ball during the first half of the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls championship game played at the Ritacco Center, Toms River on March 13. The Lancers captured their third straight Group state championship with a 53-39 victory. ERIC SUCAR staff Unlike most teams that are happy just to be in the state playoffs, for SJV, their season begins in March.

“All year, our goal is the state tournament,” said point guard Jackie Kates, who lives in Colts Neck.

St. John Vianney’s Zoe Otterman (l) goes up for a rebound against Immaculate Heart Academy’s Colleen O’Connell in the first half of the NJSIAA Non-Public A girls basketball championship game at the Ritacco Center in Toms River on March 13. PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff SJV’s considerable postseason play has taught them what it takes to succeed.

“In the big games, you have to come out and play hard from the start,” said senior Missy Repoli, who lives in Marlboro. “You have to bring everything you have out onto the court and give all you have.

“Everyone is gunning for us and bringing their best,” she added.

Last week, no one’s best could match the Lancer’s intensity. They delivered knockout blows in the first quarter of both state finals. Neither Camden Catholic nor Immaculate Heart had a chance.

St. John Vianney point guard Jackie Kates (l) tries to drive past Immaculate Heart Academy’s Tara Wilk during the first half. In the state sectional final, on March10 at Jackson Liberty High School, the Lancers rolled to a 20- 4 lead on Camden Catholic after one period. Repoli shredded the Irish’s 2-3 zone for 11 first-quarter points.

During that first-quarter onslaught, the junior surpassed 1,000 career points (the Lancers celebrated her achievement after the game).

“I didn’t know I had reached it,” Repoli said. “I just knew that I was getting close.”

Repoli put the Irish on the ropes, and it was forward Katie O’Reilly who finished them off, netting a game-high 18.

On Saturday, North A sectional champion Immaculate Heart didn’t know what hit them. The storm that was brewing outside was equaled by the Lancers’ swarming defense inside the Ritacco Center in Toms River. SJV held the Blue Eagles scoreless in the first quarter (21-0) and scored the game’s first 25 points. The Lancers led 36-10 at the half. Everyone got into the scoring act for the Lancers, led by O’Reilly with 11 and Repoli with 10.

The second half was academic as SJV rolled to a 53-39 victory and their 14th state Group title overall and third straight.

O’Reilly, who finished with a game-high 19 points, was named SJV’s Most Valuable Player for the game.

Repoli finished with 11 points, and Arron Zimmerman and Kat Egan each had nine.

The victory allowed the Lancers to maintain their perfect record in Group championship games. They are 14 for 14.

The Lancers will take a 27-3 record into the TOC.

Although the margins of victory may not reflect it, the Lancers had to overcome adversity this year. They were dealt a major setback when their leading scorer and team leader and captain, senior Teresa Manigrasso, was lost for the season with a knee injury. It left the team rudderless.

“Everyone was kind of down,” said Kates. “We lost to a team [Cherokee High School] that we shouldn’t have in our next game.”

The Lancers, however, regrouped. They would regained their confidence with a win over New York City power Christ the King, and everyone took it upon themselves to contribute something extra to make up for the loss of Manigrasso.

O’Reilly, a junior forward from Colts Neck, is the player who stepped up the most.

“Katie O’Reilly picked up a lot of the [scoring] slack,” said Repoli.

SJV now heads into the TOC a focused and confident team,

SJV received the No. 3 seed for the TOC and began play last night (March 16) against Group IV state champion North Hunterdon High School at the Ritacco Center. The winner will play No. 2 seed Malcolm X Shabazz High School, the Group II state champion, tomorrow night (March 18) at 6 p.m. back at Ritacco.

The TOC final is Tuesday (March 23) at 6 p.m. at the Izod Center in East Rutherford.

Shore Conference and Group III state champion Neptune High School received the No. 1 seed