Girls Basketball Shore Conference Tournament Championship Preview
Shore Conference Tournament Championship
Friday, Feb. 20, 2026
At OceanFirst Bank Arena, Monmouth University
6 p.m.
No. 1 Red Bank Catholic vs. No. 2 St. John Vianney
Teams at a Glance
Red Bank Catholic (25-2, 9-1 in Shore Conference Class A North)
Head Coach: Joe Montano
SCT Titles: 7 (2025, 2013, 2007, 2006, 2003, 2001, 2000)
SCT Final Appearances: 13 (2025, 2023, 2013, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1997, 1996, 1995)
Road to the Final: Defeated No. 17 Marlboro, 68-16; No. 8 St. Rose, 64-29; No. 4 Rumson-Fair Haven, 56-29
| No. | Starters | Year | Height | Position |
| 2 | Tessa Liggio | Sr. | 5'6" | Guard |
| 4 | Katie Liggio | Sr. | 5'8" | Guard |
| 23 | Daniela Maletsky | Sr. | 5'9" | Guard |
| 55 | Addy Nyemchek | Sr. | 6'1" | Forward |
| 25 | Sophie Smith | Sr. | 6'2" | Forward |
| No. | Off the Bench | Year | Height | Position |
| 1 | Lola Giordano | Sr. | 5'8" | Guard |
| 5 | Natalie Whitehead | Fr. | 5'6" | Guard |
| 13 | Sumaiyah Lashley | Fr. | 5'11" | Guard |
| 14 | Brianna Leone | Jr. | 5'7" | Guard |
| 15 | Abby Sturm | Jr. | 5'11" | Forward |
| 22 | Daniela Barazotti | Fr. | 5'6" | Guard |
| 24 | Avery Goldfeder | Fr. | 5'7" | Guard |
| 35 | Scarlet LeVake | Sr. | 6'2" | Center |
RBC forward Sophie Smith (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
St. John Vianney (23-2, 9-1 in Shore Conference Class A North)
Head Coach: Dawn Karpell
SCT Titles: 17 (2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2016, 2005, 2004, 2002, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1992, 1991, 1990)
SCT Final Appearances: 26 (2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2011, 2009, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1991, 1990 1989)
Road to the Final: Defeated No. 18 Shore, 79-33; No. 7 St. Rose, 64-35; No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven, 46-41
| No. | Starters | Year | Height | Position |
| 5 | Gianna Sano | So. | 5'7" | Guard |
| 3 | Tatum Sharpe | Jr. | 5'11" | Guard |
| 22 | Madison Kocis | Sr. | 6'0" | Guard |
| 23 | Stella Lockhart | Sr. | 6'1" | Forward |
| 33 | Taylor Sofilkanich | Sr. | 6'4" | Center |
| No. | Off the Bench | Year | Height | Position |
| 2 | Avery Barth | Jr. | 5'5" | Guard |
| 11 | Addison Bogan | Jr. | 5'7" | Guard |
| 12 | Gabriella Castellanos | So. | 5'7" | Guard |
| 14 | Antonia Jackson | So. | 5'9" | Guard |
| 15 | Brynn Utter | Jr. | 5'7" | Guard |
| 21 | Charlotte Bradley | Sr. | 5'9" | Guard |
| 25 | Elisabeth Lyons | Jr. | 5'10" | Guard |
| 32 | Brooke Sofilkanich | Fr. | 6'0" | Forward |
SJV’s Gianna Sano (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
Projection: The championship matchup has felt like a foregone conclusion since day one of the season. Both teams come in with one loss within the Shore Conference; that loss coming at the hands one another. Red Bank Catholic went on the road to St. John Vianney and won round one 62-51. St. John Vianney went on the road into Red Bank Catholic and won round two 61-52.
Both squads are coming off of semifinal games where they did not play their best basketball. The Caseys defeated Rumson-Fair Haven 56-29, but did not break the game open until the third quarter. Nyemchek had a big third quarter and led RBC with 18 points.
SJV was able to squeak out a 46-41 win over a very determined Manasquan team. The game was tied deep into the fourth quarter until sophomore guard Gianna Sano drilled a corner three that put the Lancers up for good.
This game should come down to the wire. Both teams are loaded with depth particularly in the back court. Red Bank Catholic may have a small advantage since they were able to rest their starters late in Tuesday’s game. St. John Vianney may have their own advantage since they had to stay sharp for 32 mins in their win over Manasquan.
Predictions:
Doug- SJV 64-61
Nick- SJV 66-59
CoachJohn Truhan: SJV 59-54
Coach John Tierney: RBC 52-50
