The scholastic basketball season has come to an end due to the world-wide coronavirus.
The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association ruled on March 12 that the state tournaments for both boys and girls were cancelled as a result of the cornavirus.
So Saint John Vianney, which earned redemption over Saint Rose in the NJSIAA South Jersey, Non-Public A championship game on March 11 when it coasted to its first sectional championship in four years, finished the season as the No. 1 team in the Central Jersey Top 10 rankings.
Here’s a look at the final Central Jersey Top 10 girls basketball rankings for the 2019-20 season.
(Ranking. Team, Record)
1. Saint John Vianney, 28-1: Saint John Vianney showed why it is the top team in the state on March 11 in the NJSIAA South Jersey, Non-Public A championship game. The Lancers roared to a 67-54 victory over Saint Rose to win their first state sectional title in four years. Madison St. Rose scored a team-high 21 points in the victory.
2. Saint Thomas Aquinas, 25-5: Leading by two points going into the fourth quarter of their NJSIAA South Jersey, Non-Public A semifinal matchup against Saint John Vianney, the Trojans saw the Lancers storm back and end their season with a 50-43 victory. Emma Boslet dropped in a team-high 13 points in the contest.
3. Red Bank Catholic, 22-6: The Caseys were upset by the defending NJSIAA South Jersey, Non-Public A champion, Saint Rose, in the sectional semifinals on March 9. Red Bank Catholic’s season ended in a 50-44 loss to Saint Rose. Ally Carman scored a game-high 16 points in the contest.
4. Rumson Fair-Haven, 21-9: Rumson-Fair Haven couldn’t stop Manasquan from winning its seventh straight sectional title, losing to the Warriors on March 9 in the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 2 final, 49-39. Cortland McBarron knocked in a game-high 25 points in the loss.
5. Montgomery, 19-11: Montgomery captured its second sectional championship in program history by defeating Hillsborough High School, 71-58, in the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 4 final on March 9. The Cougars saw their season end in the state semifinals, losing to Cherokee on March 11, 43-27.
6. Marlboro, 22-6: Marlboro’s run to a second straight sectional final did not come to be as the the top-seeded Mustangs lost to Montgomery on March 7 in the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 4 semifinals, 61-55. Jessica Riepe finished the season for Marlboro with 97 three-pointers.
7. Red Bank Regional, 21-7: Red Bank was upset by Jackson Liberty in the quarterfinals of the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 3 Tournament on March 4. The Lions defeated Red Bank, 54-41. Red Bank has finished with 20 or more victories in the last two seasons.
8. Jackson Memorial, 23-4: Jackson Memorial’s season came to a close in a 53-39 quarterfinal loss to Shawnee in the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 4 Tournament. Kristina Donza ended the season with 721 points scored for the Jaguars.
9. Monroe, 23-5: Monroe was unable to hold onto its three-point lead going into the fourth quarter against Hillsborough in the quarterfinals of the Central Jersey, Group 4 Tournament and was eliminated by the Raiders in a 45-41 defeat on March 5. Brielle Fitzpatrick sank a game-high 18 points in the season-ending loss.
10. Notre Dame, 19-8: Notre Dame’s season came to an end in a loss to Red Bank Catholic in the sectional quarterfinals on March 6. Erika Porter registered a team-high 14 points in the contest.
Follow Steven Bassin on Twitter @SBassin_Sports
