RBC girls start the season fast and in control

By Jim Hintelmann

RED  BANK – Going into the season, Red Bank Catholic girls basketball coach Joe Montano was expecting a successful year, and the Caseys have looked solid in their first two games against Red Bank Regional and Manasquan.

RBC pulled away from Red Bank in the final quarter for a 59-27 win Saturday after trimming Manasquan, 40-26 the night before. “We play in what might be the best division in the state,” said Montano after  the Red Bank game. Every night you play a good team.” Despite the final score, Red Bank Regional played RBC tough until the final six minutes when RBC scored 20 of the final 22 points of the game. “James (Red Bank coach James Young) has done a good job with his team,” said Montano. “His  team is improved and better skilled. They were very competitive and athletic, and we expected nothing less from them.”  RBC used control of the boards, tight defense and a solid game from Alex Alfano, who was high scorer with 18 points, 11 of them in the first quarter when RBC  jumped out to an 18-6 lead, “Alfano came out of the blocks fast,” said Montano. “She is capable of that and it was very important for us. “She can score in streaks. RBR led only once, and that was 2-0 on Kay Cunningham’s layup, but RBC scored the next six points on a three-pointer by Alfano and Grace Fallon’s  three-point play and never lost the lead. Red Bank’s Jazz Van Loon made a layup, but RBC outscored the Bucs 10-2 in the final three minutes of the quarter, eight of them by Alfano. Red Bank, however, settled down and played RBC on almost even terms through the  second and third quarters, getting as close as 27-18, on a pair of baskets by Jazz Van Loon, but RBC finally pulled away in the final quarter  “Fortunately for us, we got to the foul line in the second half and that helped us a lot,” said Montano. Mary Kate Caverly scored 15 points in RBC’s win over defending Shore Conference champion Manasquan. “It was an emotional game for us becuase their new coach, Lisa Kokoda, played for and coached for us. It was a typical opening night game with a lot of jitters.”