Squan’s Flaherty sinks 1,000th career point
MANASQUAN — It has become a familiar sight over the past two seasons, but a drive and score layup from Manasquan sophomore Katelynn Flaherty last Thursday night during the Shore Conference Tournament [SCT] was anything but an ordinary basket for the
photo: Sueanne Goss, The Coast Star
point guard.
With those two points nearing the end of the first quarter of the Warriors’ 71-34 victory over Monsignor Donovan, Flaherty reached a coveted milestone by scoring her 1,000th career point in just her second season of high school basketball.
“It is just crazy to think about it,” said Flaherty, prior to a Warriors practice on Monday evening. “I remember scoring my first [varsity basketball] point last year.”
“I never expected to do it this fast,” she said.
Last year, Flaherty proved to be one of the best offensive players in the Shore Conference, averaging 22.3 points per game as a freshman. This season, she has been the Warriors leading scorer as the team has compiled a record of 24-1.
“She is one of the best players in her class — whether you are talking in the state or on the national level,” said Manasquan head coach Felix Romero of Flaherty. “She has worked very hard throughout the years to get where she is at to this point.”
After the game against Monsignor Donovan was stopped to honor Flaherty for her accomplishment, the sophomore rapidly shifted her attention back to beating the Griffins. It wasn’t until she was home after the win that Flaherty took time to reflect on the moment.
“I focused on winning the game first,” Flaherty said. “After we won, I really let it set in and I took some time to realize what I had accomplished.”
Flaherty noted Romero and teammate, senior Michaela Mabrey, as people instrumental to her growth in the game of basketball, but, credited her father, Tom, as the driving force to her journey within the game.
“He is the reason I have gotten to this point,” Flaherty said.
Now that yet another individual goal has passed and is behind her, Flaherty looks forward to the team goals set in place by the Warriors, which includes a Shore Conference Tournament title and a run to a state championship.
“This is the most exciting time of the year,” Flaherty said. “We are working hard and taking it one game at a time.”
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Squan girls advance to SCT Q-Final- Flaherty hits 1,000 point mark
With a 71-34 win over Monsignor Donovan, the top-seeded Warriors advanced to the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinal.
Manasquan will play play Rumson-Fair Haven in the q-final, with the game to be held 11 a.m. at Brookdale Community College.
In only her second season, sophomore Katelynn Flaherty reached a prestigious high school mark during the win, netting her 1,000th point against the Griffins. She now stands at 1,019 according to Manasquan Head Coach Felix Romero.
Live updates will be available for the game between the Warriors & Bulldogs on Saturday.
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Knights are stayin’ alive
TOMS RIVER— Just when it appeared the Wall girls basketball team would fall short of a Shore Conference Tournament birth, the Crimson Knights displayed the toughness and tenacity they have shown throughout much of the entire 2011-2012 season on Tuesday.
Trailing Monsignor Donovan by 10, 46-36, entering the fourth quarter on Tuesday night, Wall went from life support to a full recovery, erasing a 10-point deficit over the final eight minutes for a thrilling 54-51 victory.
The win moved the Crimson Knights to .500 [9-9] and, with only one game remaining against a one-win Howell squad on Friday before the Shore Conference Tournament [SCT] seeding meeting, put the team in a great position to make the cut. To earn a birth to the SCT, a team must be at or above .500 on Feb. 11.
Wall junior Kelsey Thompson led the team with 14 points in the victory over the Griffins, with senior Emily Cilinski and freshman Jessica Louro adding 11 and nine points, respectively.
“We told them it basically will come down to who wants it more — you have to have the bigger heart,” head coach Colleen Kilmurray said of her message to the team prior to taking the floor in the fourth quarter. “We told them we had to have a sense of urgency.”
The Crimson Knights displayed that urgency right from the get-go of the fourth quarter, opening up with a 9-0 run.
A free throw from Cilinski, a drive to the basket from junior Madison Mitchell and four straight points from Louro got things started, before Thompson added two more free throws to pull Wall within one, 46-45, with 6:10 remaining in the game.
Cilinski could see right away in the fourth quarter that the Crimson Knights were determined to leave Toms River with a ‘W’ over a good Monsignor Donovan team.
“I had so much faith in our team that we could pull it off,” Cilinski said. “There was no way we were walking out of there without a win. We had to give ourselves a chance to make it to the Shore Conference [Tournament].”
After a free throw from the Griffins extended the team’s lead back to 47-45, Wall got a strong effort back down on the other end from Mitchell, who grabbed a huge offensive rebound and earned a trip to the free-throw line.
Mitchell, who scored six points, showed her toughness in the fourth quarter, grabbing rebounds and taking charges which undoubtedly sparked the Crimson Knights.
Mitchell’s fire is nothing new to Kilmurray.
“Her soccer skills show off [in basketball],” Kilmurray said of Mitchell, who is also the goalie for the Wall girls soccer team. “She is like a cat and she loves to take charges. We always tell the girls how taking a charge is such a game-changer and how it motivates the team.”
After Mitchell knocked down her two shots from the charity stripe, Wall had tied the game at 47 with 5:24 to go.
“They played their hearts out and it showed,” Kilmurray said.
Monsignor Donovan would take a 52-51 lead with just under two minutes to play, before Louro buried the shot of the night.
Showing her poise, Louro, without hesitation, fired a 3-pointer from the right elbow, knocking down the shot to give Wall its first lead of the second half, 52-51, with just 1:16 remaining.
Kilmurray was happy to see the Crimson Knights heed her advice to keep shooting, despite a cold shooting night through the first three quarters.
“We hadn’t been hitting shots,” the coach said. “We told them to remain confident. They hit them when they mattered.”
Yet another steal from Mitchell would lead to two more free throws from Cilinski who extended Wall’s lead to three, 54-51.
The Crimson Knights were unable to close out the game from the free-throw line late, but a final effort 3-pointer from the Griffins fell short as the buzzer sounded, prompting a group celebration from the girls in red.
Kilmurray was proud of her group, which she knows is ready to close out a special run to the SCT on Friday.
“We came in [to the team room] after the game and on the white board they had written, “It’s not over,’” Kilmurray said. “They are feeling pretty good.”
MISSION NOT YET ACCOMPLISHED
Wall will be the favorite tomorrow at home against Howell, but the group is not about to take the Rebels lightly.
“We know we have to come out focused and play hard,” Cilinski said.
“We have to play hard right from the first quarter and we can’t have any lapses,” added Thompson. “We need to work together as a team and play well the whole time.”
The tip-off between Wall and Howell is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
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Flaherty removed from assistant position at Squan
The following story ran in the Feb 2 print edition of The Coast Star ‘Sports section’
MANASQUAN — Tom Flaherty, a volunteer assistant coach for the Manasquan girls varsity basketball program, was removed from his position on the team last Thursday by athletic director Ron Kornegay. Mr. Flaherty said he was informed by Warrior head coach Felix Romero of the decision and not by Mr. Kornegay, who did not wish to comment on the matter when contacted, calling it an “administrative decision.”
The removal of Mr. Flaherty, the father of sophomore guard Katelynn Flaherty, came as a surprise to most, with the Warriors currently in the middle of an undefeated season. The Warriors are also perceived to be part of a handful of teams that could vie for the overall New Jersey state championship.
Mr. Flaherty says he has still not been given a reason by Mr. Kornegay as to why he was removed and feels the work he has done along with Romero and assistant coach Tracy Sullivan over the past two- and one-half seasons has led to a strong turnaround for the Warriors girls program.
“You can see how well the process has gone,” said Flaherty on Monday night. “I just think we have done a good job getting the [program] where it is today.”
“I think it tarnishes your reputation,” said Flaherty of his removal and Mr. Kornegay’s refusal to speak about it.
The decision to remove Mr. Flaherty has also seemed to have an effect on the Lady Warriors. Last Thursday, on the same day Mr. Flaherty was let go, the team’s starting five ceremoniously went over to hug their former coach in the stands prior to a game against Monsignor Donovan at Manasquan High School.
Senior captain Michaela Mabrey voiced her displeasure with the removal of Mr. Flaherty following Manasquan’s win over Archbishop Molloy on Sunday during the New York-New Jersey Challenge held at Holmdel High School.
“Without him it has been really hard on all of us,” said Mabrey.
Despite his feeling that the removal was without just cause, Mr. Flaherty said his main concern is for the kids on the team, who he feels, have had a monkey wrench thrown into a, so far, flawless season.
“I appreciate that the girls have tried to still make me a part of it,” said Flaherty. “But, I want them to know that it is about them and their team and they have to get back to just trying to win.”
Mr. Flaherty is currently a physical education and health teacher at Perth Amboy Vocational and Technical School, a position he has held for 27 years.
After playing Division I basketball for the Seton Hall Pirates from 1972-1976, Mr. Flaherty began his basketball coaching career.
In 1978, Mr. Flaherty became the head boys basketball coach at Metuchen High School, where he did a seven-year stint before moving on to become the head coach at Perth Amboy Vo-Tech, where he ran the program for eight years.
In 1993, he was named New Jersey Coach of the Year by the Star-Ledger for leading Perth Amboy Vo-Tech boys basketball team to a state title.
The following is Mr. Flaherty’s statement, verbatim, in regard to his removal from the program:
“I am sad to confirm that I have been released from my position as a volunteer assistant coach with Manasquan girls basketball. I received the information from our head coach, Felix Romero. He had received a call from Athletic Director Ron Kornegay.
I am thankful for the opportunity to have worked with Felix. He is young, bright and hard working. He is devoted to these girls and to being the best coach and mentor he can be. He is a good man, terrific coach and a dear friend.
I deeply appreciate the time I had with our wonderful group of kids. Thanks to the girls from this year’s squad as well to each of the graduates of 2010 and 2011 who worked so very hard to revitalize the program and make Squan basketball something very special. Not only do I cherish the opportunity to have been an instructor and coach to my daughter, Katelynn, but also, to all the exceptionally dedicated girls in our program. By their extraordinary work ethic, they have made “Manasquan Basketball” a highly respected name in town, in the regional basketball community and among America’s college coaches.
I wish I could continue to volunteer my efforts for the girls. However, now it’s time to join all of you who cheer on our dedicated student athletes. They have set some exceptionally lofty goals. Yet, I cannot believe any group of kids to have worked with greater sweat, passion, or purpose. If effort is to be rewarded, our Manasquan girls will reach their dreams. As a parent, friend and mentor, I’ll be cheering for Coach Romero and our wonderful team! They know that I believe in them!
Go ‘Squan!”
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Tom Flaherty releases a statement regarding his removal from Manasquan volunteer assistant coach position
Last Thursday, Tom Flaherty was removed from his girls basketball volunteer assistant coach position by Manasquan Athletic Director Ron Kornegay after 2 1/2 years of service to the program. Mr. Kornegay did not wish to comment on the subject calling it an “administrative decision.”
Mr. Flaherty has given a statement regarding his removal and agreed to be quoted on the situation.
A full-story on the removal of Mr. Flaherty, along with his full statement, will run in the Feb. 2 edition of The Coast Star.
Currently, the Warriors are 17-0 and are a favorite to compete for an overall New Jersey state championship.
The following is an excerpt from Mr. Flaherty’s statement:
“Not only do I cherish the opportunity to work with my daughter Katelynn, but also, all the exceptionally dedicated girls in our program. By their extraordinary work ethic, they have made Manasquan Basketball a highly respected name in town, in the regional basketball community and among America’s college coaches.”
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Wall ice hockey in rare game
Wall played in a 1-0 game on Wednesday at the Howell Ice World, you can read the full story in the 2/2 edition of The Coast Star.
I have covered ice hockey for well over 20 years and can only remember a handful of 1-0 high school games in my career.
The Crimson Knights did lose to Cranford, but a 1-0 loss is indicative of a solid effort. Wall junior goalie Troy Klahre is gaining confidence at the right time of the season as well as his young defense.
Wall was missing some top players, including junior defenseman Tom Panico. This allowed head coach Mike Dianora to use his three freshmen defensemen, Andrew MacInnes, Pat Judge and Matt Swan even more ice time.
A freshman playing defense is rare, to have three freshman in a defensive rotation almost never happens. The 1-0 loss is another indication MacInnes, Judge and Swan are getting better with each game. They are challenged sometimes due to their lack of size, but you can see the skill and hockey knowledge in how they pass the puck and play their positions.
The future looks bright for Wall with these three playing defense and it is hard to imagine how good they can be on the high school level in a couple of years.
Thought of the day
It looks as though Greg Schiano will be hired as the Tampa Bay head coach. I have to say I am surprised at the move. It seemed Schiano had things pretty good at Rutgers. The coach pretty much got everything he wanted in terms of a stadium expansion, a big budget for football and a house right on campus.
Schiano also had a contract through 2016, which meant he would have had at least two more years to try to win the Big East or win a spot in a BCS Bowl game.
Schiano was an excellent recruiter and did an outstanding job building the Scarlet Knights program and making it prominent again.
Schiano, however, was not a very good game-day coach, his teams often looked ill prepared for Big East games late in the season particularly on the road.
There is no recruiting in the NFL, it is all about winning today, not in three or four years and being totally prepared, it should be interesting to see how it plays out both for Schiano and for Rutgers now that Schiano set the foundation for the program to take the next step.
A couple of quick thoughts
I know we still have 10 days before the Super Bowl, but is anyone else sick of the quarterback comparisons and all the talk of Eli Manning and elite quarterbacks. Please, give credit where credit is due, Eli Manning has had an awesome year and been one of the clear MVP’s of the Giants along with Pierre-Paul and Victor Cruz. It seems like everyone wants to compare him to his brother or other “elite” quarterbacks. That really makes no sense since things would be a lot different if Eli was playing quarterback for the Colts or Patriots and Tom Brady was the quarterback for the Giants. A quarterback depends on his entire team to win or lose games, the Giants defense is a major reason for the teams turnaround and their win against the Patriots in the Super Bowl in 2007.
Mabrey marvelous in win over Rumson
Squan senior drops 35 points on Rumson-Fair Haven to send Warriors to the WOBM final
TOMS RIVER — With nothing going right for Manasquan last Thursday night and with a trip to the WOBM Christmas Classic final on the line, Manasquan senior Michaela Mabrey knew it was time — time to take over.
courtesy of Steve Wexler, The Coast Star
Down 27-21 at the break versus Rumson-Fair Haven, the Notre Dame-bound guard took the Warriors on her back, scoring 17 of her game-high 35 points in the second half to push Manasquan to a 59-50 victory.
Mabrey’s stellar performance came on a night in which the Warriors faced foul trouble, questionable calls from the officials and a young, tough Bulldogs team looking to play spoiler.
Mabrey was satisfied to move on to the final, but felt Manasquan was fortunate to advance after digging itself into a hole early.
“We have a lot to work on,” she said following the game. “That is a game we have to come out harder. Calls did not go our way tonight but you can’t let that get the best of you. I had to take over this game.”
Manasquan head coach Felix Romero was proud of his team for its perseverance in the face adversity during the first tight contest the Warriors have met with in 2011-2012.
“It was great to see that we can be down and hang in there, especially in a game that was as frustrating as that one,” said Romero. “It was tough.”
Despite seeing it time and time again, the coach was impressed with the play of his senior standout.
The beginning of the game seemed as if it would be a typical Warrior victory, as the group jumped out to a fast, 7-1 lead. Quickly, though, the tides shifted out of Manasquan’s favor.
The team lost two-thirds of its front court in a matter of minutes, as Michaela Mabrey’s sister, freshman Marina Mabrey, and sophomore Samantha Sullivan each fell into foul trouble.
Rumson-Fair Haven jumped on the Warriors’ misfortune, using the opportunity to make a 17-3 run to close the first quarter and take a 18-10 lead.
The Bulldogs maintained an advantage, taking a six-point lead into halftime.
As the second half opened up, Manasquan did not move away from its game plan and continued to play at a high tempo. Midway through the third quarter, Michaela Mabrey saw the run-and-gun style of the Warriors taking its toll on Rumson.
“I knew they were tired,” she said. “The pace of our game just wears teams down.”
With the Bulldogs gasping, the Warriors set the stride, cutting the lead to 34-31 with just under 2:30 remaining in the third quarter.
“We knew that eventually, if we hung in there, we could creep back into the game little by little,” said Romero. “We hung in there, were patient and let things work themselves out for us.”
Romero credited the efforts of Melissa Pavia, Gretchen Fay and Eva Hart, feeling their high intensity and scrappy play helped wear down the Bulldogs.
“They were awesome — they came off the bench and gave us a spark,” said Romero.
Manasquan would take all the momentum and the lead for good on perhaps the most memorable play of the entire tournament.
With the Warriors down, 34-31, Michaela Mabrey came down the floor, pulled up from long range and buried a 3-point basket from the left elbow. The senior was also fouled on the play, converting the free throw to give Manasquan a 35-34 lead, its first lead since the first quarter.
“I think that was the climax for us,” said Michaela Mabrey, referring to the four-point play. “That turned things around and really got us in the mode that we can win the game.”
The momentum-shifting bucket ignited a charge in the Warriors, specifically sophomore Katelynn Flaherty, who struggled in the first half.
The lightning-fast point guard scored the last seven points of the third quarter for Manasquan, as the team took a 42-39 lead into the final quarter.
Flaherty, who finished with 16 points, was happy to get it going after a slow start.
“It was frustrating [in the first half],” said Flaherty. “When I started going to the basket and scoring, it made me realize I should just keep going to the basket instead of shooting [from the outside].”
Manasquan was able to extend its lead to as much as eight points in the fourth quarter and, even though the Bulldogs kept fighting, the Warriors never lost their lead.
Manasquan would convert on five of six free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.
The victory put the Warriors in the spot to win the program’s first WOBM Christmas Classic.
“We are really excited,” said Michaela Mabrey, of playing in the final prior to the matchup with Jackson Memorial. “We need to go home and ice up — we are tired.”
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