Sports

RBC defeated by St. John Vianney Girls' Basketball Championship

The Lancers win their fourth-consecutive sectional title, depriving a current Casey crop of their first

For a minute or two, it looked as though Red Bank Catholic had solved the problem that is St. John Vianney.

The Caseys were moving the ball and exploiting the Lancer full-court press for easy baskets. In fact, for much of the first quarter, Red Bank Catholic held the lead in its State South Jersey Non-Public A championship matchup at Jackson Liberty High School Tuesday afternoon.

But, this wasn’t the first go-round for St. John Vianney. See, they’ve been here before, and they’ve won here before – three times a row coming in – and, in what seemed like mere moments, the Lancers had erased the Casey lead and seemingly any chance for Red Bank Catholic victory.

Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Bracket one-seed St. John Vianney won the sectional title in convincing fashion, 48-35, moving on to state-wide play and leaving the Caseys with the feeling of having come just that close.

Lancer coach Dawn Karpell said that even with all the past success they’ve had, her team remains driven.

Find out what's happening in Middletownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“I have a very senior-heavy group; they’ve been here before,” she said. “Red Bank Catholic is a rival, and if (our seniors) can’t get up for this game, I don’t know what to tell you.”

The Lancers started the game with a 3-pointer, but quickly fell behind after the Caseys scored eight unanswered points, including six from Red Bank Catholic’s top offensive threat, senior center Sam Guastella.

St. John Vianney responded with several quick scores off of jumpshots and wound up taking the first quarter 12-8.

That lead would grow to double digits in the second as the Lancers outscored Red Bank Catholic 18-10 with a balanced scoring attack that featured field goals from six St. John Vianney players.

It was in the second that the pressure that St. John Vianney exhibited on the defensive end early in the game started to get to the Caseys. Continuing its press, the Lancers were able to force turnovers and disrupt Red Bank Catholic’s offensive rhythm. Red Bank Catholic, very much a half-court team, tried to adjust and run on offensive, but the results never came.

“That’s something we normally do,” Karpell said of the press. “We try to beat them up.”

Arron Zimmerman lead the Lancers with 15 points, 10 of which came in the first half. Teammate Jackie Kates added 14 points. Of that total, 10 points came in the second half of the game.

Though the Lancers were able to extend their lead to 14 early in the third quarter, the Caseys started a comeback, cutting the margin to just six. Any good feeling was temporary, however, as a foul, St. John Vianney field goal, and a turnover by Red Bank Catholic in succession saw the Lancer lead balloon to 10 by the end of the third quarter.

Guastella scored a game-high 16, though it wouldn’t be enough. Kasey Hobbie added eight, including two, 3-pointers.

Junior guard Morgan Arnott said goal for her Red Bank Catholic team was to come out and match St. John Vianney’s intensity. Though they didn’t hurt for hard work, the Caseys just weren’t able to match up with the Lancers.

Despite the loss, Arnott said the team has grown this season. As difficult as losing was, the biggest loss will be felt next year when several of the team’s seniors leave for college.

“I’ve never been so close to my team before. We’re like family. It was so sad saying goodbye to our seniors,” she said. “But, I have to work harder every day over the spring and summer. I plan on making progress. I plan on being very good next year.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here