By RICH FISHER
Contributing Editor
The chemistry within this year’s St. Rose, Belmar girls basketball team is reflected not only in an 18-3 record and No. 7 state ranking, but also in the players’ attitudes toward each other.
“One of my seniors realized that this was the last week of our regular season and she didn’t know what she was gonna do without this team and basketball,” second-year coach Christine Hatfield said.
“That sums up my group. They’re tight, they’re friends and they cheer for each other on and off the court. As a coach it’s heart-warming. I’ll be devastated when the season ends because this is such a phenomenal group of young ladies.”
Senior guard Cassidy Kruesi leads St. Rose with 49 assists and is second on the team with a 14.0 scoring average. Photos courtesy of St. Rose High School
It is a squad that has suffered its share of adversity over the years, but never backed down thanks to its faith.
“Gianna Rodriguez and Juliette Gomes, who’s out hurt right now, definitely carry it with them the most,” said Hatfield, who is also a St. Rose alum and former assistant. “They bring it to our locker room and bring it on the court. Especially through injuries.
“Our team has suffered through some crazy stuff,” the coach continued. “Of my five seniors, four have had injuries that probably would have kept most kids from coming back. I believe that their faith in ‘God has a plan, and everything happens for a reason,’ is what gets them through, along with the team around him.”
And while God doesn’t plan on who wins games, the Purple Roses have had little trouble amassing victories.
They have won eight straight and currently sit atop the Shore Conference in power points, which is how the conference tournament seeding will be decided on Feb. 8. They are 5-3 against state-ranked teams and have the chance to avenge one of those losses – to No. 13 Manasquan – Feb. 7.
It starts with unselfish junior guard Jada Lynch, who averages a team-leading 19.8 points and 6.5 rebounds to go along with a team-best 33 steals.
“She’s our big dog,” Hatfield said. “She gets everybody’s best defender; she drives the lane, and she’s got three girls collapsing on her. While Jada has tremendous skill individually, she has also become a willing passer. That’s something that has really improved in her game. For a player of her abilities to find the open player, it makes us better.”
Lynch is one of three players with over 40 assists and three others have 25 or more, which displays the Purple Roses’ unselfishness as a team.
Senior Cassidy Kruesi averages 14 points and leads St. Rose with 49 assists and 53 three-pointers. The four-year starter is committed to play next year for University of Tampa, Fla.
“Since her freshman year she’s gotten the top defensive assignment every game unless it’s a 6-5 post player,” Hatfield said. “She takes her job very seriously and she’s still my second leading scorer. I can’t speak enough about what Cass brings to our team.”
Junior point guard Belle Alvarado runs the offense and “when things are going crazy, Belle’s my voice of reason on the court. She’s an extension of my coaching staff and keeps things under control.”
Junior guard Jada Lynch has been one of the Shore Conference’s top performers this season; averaging 19.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per game for the 18-3 Purple Roses. Photos courtesy of St. Rose High School
Junior Brooke Missry is a shooting guard with 35 three-pointers and an 8.3 scoring average.
“She can shoot the lights out,” Hatfield said. “When she gets hot it’s a good day for us.”
Caroline Conforti is a defensive presence in the post “who has great footwork and moves around well in the paint. She’s only 6-1 but she does her job.”
Coming off the bench are seniors Lizzy Mitchell (headed for Misericordia next year) and Gianna Rodriguez, who both missed last season with ACL injuries. They took a while to get back in the flow, but Hatfield says they are rounding into top form at the right time. Senior Elena Lamastra is a post player off the bench and leads the team in charges, while sophomore Callie Decker has been making constant gains.
“She can get to the rim; she’s quick, she’s scrappy,” Hatfield said. “I think Callie will be a huge spark for us in the postseason and something people aren’t prepared for because they haven’t seen her much.”
The post-season will be a minefield. The SCT features four state ranked teams and St. Rose has moved from NJSIAA Non-Public B – where it reached the sectional final last year – to Non-Public A, which features five ranked teams in South Jersey and seven overall.
“I feel like we have the opportunity to compete for a state title,” Hatfield said. “But you look at Non-Public A and it’s like the old Tournament of Champions with all those great teams. … Whoever wins that, it’s special. It’s a meat grinder, and so is the Shore Conference Tournament.”
Some of the Roses biggest fans come from the St. Rose boys’ team, which is ranked No. 1 in the state.
“The teams are very close,” said Hatfield. “We do lots of events together, we attend each other’s games when we can, and the coaches support each other and share ideas … it’s the St. Rose way!”