Elite Shore Conference Girls Basketball Scoreboard: Thursday, Mar. 12

Elite Shore Conference Girls Basketball Scoreboard

Thursday, Mar. 12

 

Non-Public A

State Championship

At Rutgers University

Red Bank Catholic 62, Morris Catholic 45

Senior forward Addy Nyemchek poured in a game-high 22 points to go along with nine rebounds and five steals as the Caseys (30-2) pulled away from the Crusaders (25-6) to win their 10th state championship.

The Caseys led 25-24 in a hotly-contested first half that saw numerous lead changes. Senior guard Daniela Maletsky had an exceptional first half scoring nine points in addition to four assists and three rebounds. Senior center Scarlet LeVake gave the Caseys a lift off the bench with 7 points and three rebounds.

Red Bank Catholic began to create separation in the third quarter behind a trio of three-pointers from senior forward Sophie Smith who was relegated to the bench for much of the first half with foul trouble. Nyemchek took over the game in the second half where she scored 17 of her game-high 22 points. The Caseys outscored the Crusaders 22-11 in the fourth quarter.

Maletsky finished with 10 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Levake added nine points and seven rebounds. Smith added nine points and four rebounds. Senior guard Lola Giordano finished with six points, five assists, and four rebounds after stepping into the starting lineup for injured senior guard Katie Liggio.

Senior guard Jayah Curtis scored a team-high 14 points in the loss for the Crusaders. Junior guard Jacqueline Edelman added 11 points. Senior guard Kennedy Brown chipped in eight points.

Katie Liggio, who suffered a knee injury against St. John Vianney, was subbed into the game with 30 seconds remaining with a knee brace on. The game ended with the ball in her hands.

Nyemchek became the all-time leading scorer for Red Bank Catholic finishing her career with 1,781 points. Head coach Joe Montano earned his 800th career victory. Red Bank Catholic will finish as the number one ranked team in New Jersey for the first time since 2000.