RBC Seniors: Friendship, Chemistry and Leadership in Girls' Basketball

Even post-game, among her friends,  senior Sam Guastella is a leader. The Quinnipac-bound center controls a room and the court with her self-confidence, soft-spoken strength and a willingness to share the stage with others. Her quiet-leadership reminiscent of trailblazers like former Governor Christine Todd-Whitman.

Unlike her teammates and friends, Guastella didn’t begin playing basketball until fifth grade and AAU ball until seventh grade. Now, as her senior season winds down, Guastella will soon be leaving the friendly confines of Red Bank Catholic and St. James Grammar School and playing college ball. 

Guastella’s teammates Mary Kate Byrnes and Kasey Hobbie began playing basketball  in third grade and started AAU ball in fifth grade. Byrnes played for H.W. Mountz in Spring Lake and Hobbie for St. Leo’s in Lincroft. Hobbie chose to play at Red Bank Catholic because “my name’s the mascot,” she said with a laugh and “It’s a well known basketball school." With “great academics” Guastella chimed in laughing.  All three players nodded in agreement. 

Hobbie continued telling the Red Bank Patch that Coach Montano “gets us to play at a higher level then we ever thought possible” and that he stresses academics and works with players who struggle to meet the demands of tough academics and competitive high school basketball. Hobbie will play next year for Presbyterian College in South Carolina.

Byrnes’ sisters all attended Red Bank Catholic and played basketball here. Byrnes has made a full commitment to the school and the team traveling among the farthest of her teammates to attend school and play ball. Byrnes is a co-founder of the Red Bank Catholic debate team, Montano and her teammates laughingly told this reporter, Montano adding “come on Mary Kate, don’t be shy."

Byrnes is reviewing several options for college and hasn’t decided if she will play college basketball yet. Among the schools she is looking at are Fairfield, the College of Charleston and the University of South Carolina.

Red Bank Catholic’s play on the court, especially in their recent game against Marlboro, backs up the trio’s assertion that this is a team that hangs together and has come far together this season.

The three seniors' on court play and consistent leadership seems to be rubbing off on younger players, like junior center Kayla Dunn and freshman guard/forward Grace Fallon, who seem to be gaining confidence with every game and more willing to step up and make plays. The team chemistry has improved all three agree, because “everyone lives far away,” and the time after practices and between games becomes a time for the team to pull together.

Guastella jokes and Byrnes and Hobbie talk of pasta parties and slumber parties throughout the season and throughout the year.

Now, the season is fast drawing to a close. 

The state tournament begins next week and with it the opportunity for a team title.

“We learned a lot from the Point Boro game,” Hobbie stated. “To play our game ... not take anyone lightly. 

“We have to play for ourselves."