By Matthew Rocco
Local girls basketball teams will soon take the court in front of college recruiters at Red Bank Regional High School, which will host the Maroon and White Team Camp starting July 27.
The annual showcase, now in its eighth year, will feature 25 teams from across New Jersey, plus two New York schools. This summer marks the fifth year that the camp holds NCAA certification, thus allowing organizers to invite colleges to the event. The presence of college recruiters has encouraged more teams from outside the Shore Conference to make the trip to Red Bank for the three-day basketball camp.
Spectators can expect the usual amount of intense competition. St. John Vianney High School, Manasquan High School, St. Rose High School and Neptune High School are among the top teams participating. The schedule also includes Colts Neck High School, Freehold Township High School, Holmdel High School, Matawan Regional High School, Middletown High School North, Middletown High School South, Red Bank Catholic High School, Red Bank Regional and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School.
Middletown South won the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group III title last season with a win over Neptune in the sectional finals. Rumson-Fair Haven was a finalist in the Central Jersey, Group II bracket.
St. John Vianney had the best season of all. The Lancers won the Non-Public A championship and went on to defeat Manasquan for the Tournament of Champions title. The Holmdel school also won the 2016 Shore Conference Tournament.
St. John Vianney, Rumson-Fair Haven, Red Bank Catholic and St. Rose will each take the court at least once July 29. The four Shore Conference heavyweights were limited to playing on the final day of the Maroon and White camp because they also entered the Under Armour Best of Maryland Basketball Tournament, which runs July 26-28. Like the Red Bank showcase, the Best of Maryland is open to college scouts.
At 9 a.m., Red Bank Catholic will play Marlboro High School, and St. John Vianney and Toms River High School North will face off. The Lancers have a doubleheader July 29 with a second game scheduled at 11 a.m. against Colts Neck. Rumson-Fair Haven is slated to play Donovan Catholic High School at 10 a.m. and then Toms River High School South at 12 p.m.
All games will be played in the renovated Red Bank Field House, marking the Maroon and White’s return to Red Bank after a summer spent at Holmdel High School. Games will start as early as 11:30 a.m. on the first two days and 9 a.m. on the last day.
