It was four years ago when the Monroe Township High School girls’ basketball team broke down barriers and made program history by winning a single-season record 26 games and earning the program’s first state sectional championship.
Four years later, the Falcons are back at it again, making it to the final of the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament for the first time since the historic 2015-2016 campaign.
“We’re really enjoying the moment. We prepare for every single game and try to play our best as a team,” said Monroe coach Leigh Vogtman. “This means a lot for these girls. For the seniors to go out with all these accolades, is really nice for them and I’m excited for them.”
A veteran group, lead by seniors Madison Carey and Brielle Fitzpatrick has Monroe back at the top of the conference after three tough years, that included two losing seasons.
Monroe roared out of the gate this winter, winning their first nine games and starting the season off with a record of 19-1.
Despite losing two straight contests going into the conference tournament, Monroe got its mojo back on track in full gear for the tournament.
Coming into the tournament as the No. 3 seed, the Falcons rolled to a 63-41 victory over Colonia High School in the first round on Feb. 19 and then edged Sayreville War Memorial High School to a 55-46 victory in the quarterfinals on Feb. 22 to advance to the semifinals.
“They’ve really dug their heels in and have made this run in the tournament worthwhile,” Vogtman said. “In the tournament, they’ve shown that they have really grown as players and as a team. They fought back from a deficit, battle tough in a close game and maintained a lead when they got it back. Very impressed with them.”
Monroe had the challenge of facing No. 2 seed and undefeated Middlesex High School in the conference semifinals on Feb. 25 at New Brunswick High School.
It was just earlier this season on Jan. 16 at Middlesex that the Blue Jays ended the Falcons’ undefeated start to the season.
With revenge on their mind and a spot in the conference finals at stake, the Falcons took advantage of their opportunity to knock off Middlesex and advance to the GMC final with a 57-50 victory.
After a slow start to the contest, Carey stepped up big time in the second half to help Monroe comeback from six-point deficit midway through the third quarter.
The senior knocked in 14 of her team-high 16 points in the second half and racked up four-three pointers in the contest.
“I started off a little cold, but as the game went on I really knew I had to step up,” Carey said. “It just worked out. I did what I knew how to do.”
Carey is averaging a team-high 15.8 points a game this season and has made 64 shots from behind the arc.
The senior started Monroe’s 16-4 run to take full control of the contest with two successful free-throw attempts.
A great bounce pass from Fitzpatrick set up teammate Joanna Giustino’s buzzer beater jumper that gave Monroe a 41-38 lead going into the fourth period.
Fitzpatrick put the Falcons up 49-40 with just over six minutes play, driving hard to the basket for two and then knocking down the free-throw attempt at the line to complete the three-point play.
“We knew we had to comeback in the second half and knew it was going to be even harder with it being the conference semifinals,” Fitzpatrick said. “Three-point plays are always pretty fun and gets the crowd hyped up.”
The senior finished with 14 points in the victory.
Carey scored the next five points to get Monroe out to a 54-46 lead with 3:07 left to play. Three clutch successful free-throw attempts by junior Nina Branchizio helped Monroe seal the upset down the stretch and hand the Blue Jays their first loss of the season.
Branchizio scored eight of her 14 points in the first half. Like Carey, Branchizio shined from downtown in the victory, knocking in three three-pointers.
Teammate Rosie Regan scored seven points in the Monroe victory.
The Falcons stand at 22-3 on the season as they head into their conference finals matchup against the No. 1 seed, Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, which will be played on Feb. 28 at Middlesex County Community College in Edison.
Monroe is No. 2 seed in the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 4 Tournament. The Falcons will be the host to the No. 15 seed, Brick Memorial High School, in the first round of the tournament on March 3.
Win or lose, Monroe has proven any doubters wrong this season with its stellar play and have put on a show doing it.
“People underestimated us from our past seasons, but we”ve really come out and put on a show this season,” Carey said.
Follow Steven Bassin on Twitter @SBassin_Sports
