Non-Public A South Quarterfinal Preview

<em><span style="font-size: 8pt">Photo by Shore Sports Network</span></em> This is arguably the most loaded bracket in the state. Non-Public A South is full of some of the top teams in the state. After the first round with some byes mixed in, all teams will be in action on Friday night. Here is what to expect when every team takes the floor. <strong>No. 1 Red Bank Catholic vs. No. 9 Notre Dame</strong> Notre Dame made quick work of No. 8 Union Catholic in round one. It was a dominating 56-37 win led by [player_tooltip player_id="134593" first="Erika" last="Porter"]. The forward finished with 24 points and 16 rebounds. This has been a strong season for Notre Dame. They have 19 wins and could pull off the upset of the season if they take down Red Bank Catholic. The Caseys were ranked as the top-team in the state for a good part of the season. This is not surprising when looking at their roster. [player_tooltip player_id="134627" first="Justine" last="Pissott"] and [player_tooltip player_id="134631" first="Ally" last="Carman"] are two of the top-five sophomores in the state. Porter will be big in this game because she will need to matchup with Carman. Upsets have been happening all over the state but it will be a complete shock to see Red Bank Catholic bounced in the quarters. <strong>No. 4 Paul VI vs. No. 5 St. Rose</strong> Paul VI was not in action in round one. St. Rose was and they picked up a 77-38 win over Immaculata. Four players finished in double-figures in this one led by [player_tooltip player_id="134582" first="Brynn" last="Farrell"] with 16 points and [player_tooltip player_id="134594" first="Makayla" last="Andrews"] with 15. That is the production they will need against Paul VI. Farrell has been a scoring threat throughout the entire season. They are a guard oriented team which means they will matchup well with Paul VI. Abaigeal Babore has been Paul VI’s top option all season long. This game will come down to which teams gets out in front early. It would be hard for the other side to come back. <strong>No. 3 Bishop Eustace vs. No. 6 St. Thomas Aquinas</strong> St. Thomas Aquinas will not be an easy out. They recently won their second straight GMC title. In round one, it was a 68-41 win for the Trojans led by [player_tooltip player_id="134589" first="Kelsey" last="Ransom"] with 22 points. That is a good sign for St. Thomas Aquinas. Their top-gun [player_tooltip player_id="134586" first="Emma" last="Boslet"] finished with 11 points but they were able to find a second scoring option to take over. That is what makes this team dangerous. That is something they will definitely need against the depth of Bishop Eustace. Lauren Punk leads the team in scoring and Madison Grubb and Kaitlyn Deiter also pose serious threats. Bishop Eustace is a dark-horse candidate to run through the bracket but they have to be careful in this one. <strong>No. 2 St. John Vianney vs. No. 7 Mount St. Mary</strong> When Red Bank Catholic was not the top team in the state, it was St. John Vianney. There is not enough that can be said about sophomore [player_tooltip player_id="134626" first="Madison" last="St.Rose"]. She is the No. 1 sophomore in New Jersey and will be the best player in the state very soon. She is scoring 17.5 points per game to lead the team. St. John Vianney and Red Bank Catholic is the dream matchup but they will have to get by Alana Rocco and Mount St. Mary first. It was a 57-34 win for them in round one over Donovan Catholic. Rocco finished with 11 points and Erin McNulty scored a team-high 14.