OIB Ortho Girls Basketball Team of the Week: Manasquan

Nick Lowe|February 13, 2025|Last Updated February 17, 2025

2025 OIB Ortho/Shore Sports Insider Girls Basketball Team of the Week Series

Many did not know what to expect from Manasquan at the start of the season graduating the amount of talent from their Group 2 championship team. Would they take a slight step back in the rankings or would they still be what they have been the past decade, competing for a Shore Conference Tournament.

The Warriors answered that question with their first victory over rival St. Rose early in the season and solidified that with their second win against the Roses last week to lock up the No. 1 seed in the SCT. Coach Lisa Kukuda has this new group of Warriors ready for a deep run in the SCT and favorites to return to the Group 2 final.

Head Coach Lisa Kukoda on the sideline against Howell on 2/4/25. Photo by Tom Smith

Last week Manasquan went 3-0 which started with a come-from-behind victory against St. Thomas Aquinas, who was No. 14 in New Jersey. The Warriors trailed by seven points at halftime, but was led back by transfer Kayden Clark. Clark scored 10 of her 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Kayden Clark shots a jump shot against Howell on 2/4/25. Photo by Tom Smith

Manasquan followed that victory with two wins in Class A Central to secure the division title. Trailing at halftime against No. 6 Howell, the Warriors exploded in the third quarter and outscored the Rebels 18-4 on their way to victory. Once again Clark led the team with 15 points and Shea Donnelly added 10 points.

Shea Donnelly scored 20 points against Howell on 2/4/25. Photo by Tom Smith

The Warriors ended the week by defeating rival St. Rose for the second time this season in a more convincing fashion than the first game, 52-26. Senior Shannon Heine held Jada Lynch to single digits for the second straight game on the defensive side and Donnelly scored a game-high 20 points on the offensive end.