Neptune Defeats Red Bank Catholic in Matchup of State Powers

Red Bank Catholic fought to a 21-20 lead at the half but Neptune’s pride and athleticism powered Neptune to a 50-40 win on Shakena Richardson’s 21 points.

Held to only 7 points by Red Bank Catholic in the first half, Richardson exploded with 14 points in the second half and combined with Syessence Davis to score 39 of Neptune’s 50 points.

The Rutgers bound senior's pride and experience was evident in the second half according to Red Bank Catholic coach Joe Montana.

Neptune is “a team that’s talented, has a lot of pride and has done well over the last three years”  Montana told the Red Bank-Shrewsbury Patch. They don’t like to lose.  Our team is “disappointed” but “we’re getting better, we keep moving, getting better” he added.

“When you get Neptune to take the press off and go to a zone, you have to be doing something right,” he finished. 

Sloppy ball handling contributed to the Lady Casey’s defeat. Despite grabbing 16 offensive rebounds, Red Bank Catholic simply failed to convert the points and was stripped of the ball by Neptune at critical points throughout the night. Red Bank Catholic had a tough time hanging onto the ball and struggled with passes in the first half.

Strong perimeter play, a hall mark of this Lady Casey’s team, continued last night but failed to bail them out of a late fourth quarter deficit. Neptune went into the fourth quarter with a narrow 37-34 lead and used steady defensive pressure and fast breaks to break open the game.

Neptune’s aggressiveness and cold shooting on the perimeter by Red Bank Catholic led to a Neptune fast break which widened the gap to 48-38 with less than two minutes to play. Red Bank Catholic Senior center Sam Guastella sank two free throws in the final 30 seconds to close the gap to 50-40.

Guastella finished with 20 points and freshman Grace Fallon scored five points. Senior Guard Kasey Hobbie was held to 7 points. Junior Guard Morgan Arnott contributed 6 points and sophomore guard Mary Kate Caverly tipped in two.

Red Bank Catholic plays well together as a team and the younger players are picking up the pace. Sam Guastella continues to showcase strong senior leadership every minute of every game and the younger players seem to be picking up on that. Freshman guard Grace Fallon is showing more confidence and is contributing more on the point and in setting screens.  Junior Center/Forward Kayla Dunn played strong under the basket and looks confident running the floor.

 Next up is Rumson-Fair Haven at Red Bank Catholic on Saturday at 12:30pm.