Must-Watch Games: Manasquan v Red Bank Catholic

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Shore Conference gives us some of the best games, the best matchups of the season featuring the best players in the state. This year is no different, especially with Manasquan and Red Bank Catholic, two teams that are stocked with young talent and veteran leadership. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>RBC and Manasquan won't be facing off in the regular season, but on Friday, there will be a highly-anticipated scrimmage between the two teams along with Rutgers Prep. Here's what to expect on Friday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Manasquan: 30-5 record 2021-22, 14-0 Shore Conference</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Manasquan you can easily pencil down as a state title contender and exciting program to follow. The losses of last year's seniors: Brooke Hollawell, Georgia Heine, Dorothy Loffredo and Mary Donnelly, will be tough to overcome, but Squan has plenty of reinforcements coming in for 2022-23.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Let's first talk about the returners and you can't do that without mentioning junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='325209' first='Hope' last='Masonius'], a fantastic addition to the starting lineup last year and a player who grew throughout the season. She's developed into a show-stopping talent who will be the leader of this team this season and should have a stat boost across the board as a result.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Junior forward [player_tooltip player_id='431238' first='Katie' last='Collins'] will take over the reins in the middle, something she was already doing last season with a team-high 29 blocks. The height is there, the length in the lane is there, the intensity is there. Collins is the perfect frontcourt presence for Squan this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='482277' first='Rylyn' last='Orlando'] is the other impact player coming back, a senior guard who has been great inside the perimeter and should reprise that role this season. Expect more playing time from [player_tooltip player_id='333318' first='Shea' last='Donnelly'] and [player_tooltip player_id='333317' first='Olivia' last='Shaughnessy'], both of whom were role players last season. Brooke's sister, [player_tooltip player_id='559069' first='Jordyn' last='Hollawell'], is a freshman this season and has high upside among the newcomers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2><strong>Red Bank Catholic: 23-5 record 2021-22, 13-0 Shore Conference</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We would say it's tough to replace the presence of an All-American talent in Justine Pissott, but when a program brings in seven freshmen, among the starters coming back, Red Bank Catholic has more than prepared itself for her departure.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Not just Pissott, but forward Ally Carman also graduated last season, leaving two massive holes in the starting lineup for the Caseys. Luckily, they will return guards [player_tooltip player_id='482249' first='Casey' last='Prior'], [player_tooltip player_id='333320' first='Christina' last='Liggio'] and [player_tooltip player_id='482248' first='Emma' last='Carman'], all impact players, with Liggio expected to run the point and her and Prior being the two best perimeter shooters for RBC.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='333319' first='Tessa' last='Carman'] returns as part of the frontcourt situation for the Caseys, so there's plenty of returning talent, but the incoming freshman class for RBC, a seven-woman class, is among the best in the entire country.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The problem is getting all of them playing time because they're all fantastic and would be starters within their local schools. The Liggio family tree continues with Katie and Tessa, fantastic shooters in their own right who can lock down defenders on the other side of the floor. [player_tooltip player_id='559031' first='Daniela' last='Maletsky'] plays much bigger than her 5-8 frame and is incredibly physical, yet nimble and effortless with the ball when on offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>[player_tooltip player_id='559040' first='Lola' last='Giordano'] is much the same, just a righty instead of Maletsky being a lefty, a 5-7 guard who is tough and physical and can shoot the three when she gets a look. Addy Nyemchek, a 5-11 freshman, is a can't-miss prospect as well, a versatile player as both a guard and forward. [player_tooltip player_id='559084' first='Sophie' last='Smith'], a 6-1 forward, should get much playing time in the middle and Synai Blychanton, a 5-7 guard, is incredibly impressive with the ball and a natural playmaker.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2>The game</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What more can you ask for out of a basketball game between teams with immense returning talent, great incoming talent and overall fantastic team chemistry. I mean the pieces of the puzzle are there for a great game and we expect nothing less come Friday afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->