E.B girls putting together a truly inspiring season

VERONICA YANKOWSKI South Brunswick’s Dan Stonkus tries to block the shot of Old Bridge’s Spencer Corbett during their game Monday night in South Brunswick. The Vikings won the game 68-52 behind 25 points from Drew Biri to improve to 14-0 on the season. The Knights fell to 9-7 but will still qualify for the state playoffs.

Champions overcome adversity, and sometimes it takes adverse situations to present a new set of challenges to a storied program. Such has been the case this year in East Brunswick.

"It’s been a fabulous season," said East Brunswick High School girls’ basketball coach Reggie Carney. "Especially since we’ve lost two of our best and most experienced players."

The Bears, now 12-3 after going 16-8 last winter, are minus 5-10 point guard Liz Whalen, a three-year star and a first-team all-division pick who injured her knee early in the very first game.

Meanwhile Moira Kirby, the 6-foot senior center, has played very sparingly, battling illness for most of the past year.

"The other girls have played just miraculously," said Carney. "They’ve overcome adversity with dedication and commitment."

Leading the way has been senior forward Erin Kenny (5-10) who has more than doubled her scoring average, boosting it to 15 points a game with some superb shooting.

Ashley Stapleton, a 5-7 senior, has shown excellent leadership with consistent all-around play, often shutting down the other team’s top scorers on defense.

A trio of juniors round out the starting lineup, each of whom has stepped up her game this season. Jill Masterton, a 5-8 guard, has scored, rebounded and defended well, while 5-10 center Sylvia Majdanski has kept her average between 10 and 12 ppg. all year.

"She’s also consistently rebounded against bigger opponents underneath," added Carney.

Heather O’Reilly, now the point guard, has proved a real sparkplug on the court. A starter as a freshman, the 5-5 O’Reilly missed last year when she made the 18-and-under U.S. soccer team, which still causes an occasional absence as she pursues a dream of making it to the Olympic or World Cup squad.

"She’s lightning quick," said Carney. "Heather just gets better and better."

The Bears’ depth has helped them wear down many opponents. Off the bench, junior Jenna Barbato and her twin sister Justine, both 5-5, have made crucial contributions on defense.

"Jenna is an outstanding rebounder for her size, and Justine shows excellent athletic ability," Carney said.

Junior Jamie Assini (5-7) is an outside threat who steps into the point guard slot, while 5-9 junior Beth Choma is a fine athlete who fills the swing guard post.

"Senior Tara DeMarzo, a field hockey and softball player, is an outstanding leader who brings intangibles to the table on and off the court," said her coach. "And in a bizarre situation, freshman guard Erin Whalen (5-5) hurt her knee on opening night in the J.V. game at the same point that her sister Liz was injured in the varsity game. She’s been back for a couple of weeks and is playing fine defense."

Carney raves about his assistants, J.V. coach Katie Whalen and frosh coach Kara Motusesky.

"They relate well to the girls," he said. "We couldn’t be 12-3 without them."

The Bears start their run for the Greater Middlesex Conference’s Red Division title with a Friday contest against Bishop Ahr, Edison. At this point they seem a good bet to claim another division championship.

"The girls have made a great effort in practice, and whether we win or lose," said Carney, "they’re enthusiastic and a real personality-plus group, charming and a real bunch of characters."