Kevin Williams Christmas Classic Championship Preview: Kathy Snyder Bracket

Kathy Snyder Bracket Championship Preview

 

(12) Donovan Catholic vs (11) Point Boro, 11 a.m.

RWJ Barnabas Health Arena at Toms River North High School

 

Donovan Catholic 

 

Head Coach: Amanda Hagaman

 

Projected Starting Line-Up:

#2   Anais Friedman, Jr., Guard, 5’2″

#3   Madison Koehler, Sr., Guard, 5’2″

#4   Kaylen Wright, Jr., Guard, 5’7″

#23 Sarah Franks, Jr., Forward, 5’8″

#24 Garbrielle Busco, So., Forward, 5’9″

 

Road to the Finals:

First Round: Defeated (13) Lacey 51-47 (OT)

Semifinal Round: Defeated (9) Wall 40-37

 

Outlook:

Donovan had the most difficult road to the finals, sending the first game to overtime at the buzzer against Lacey in the opening round and coming back from a 25-2 deficit in the semifinal against top-seeded Wall. Junior Kaylen Wright has been one of the biggest heroes of the tournament, knocking down two three-pointers in overtime against Lacey to finish with 13 points and four second-half three-pointers against Wall for a team-high 19 points. Anais Friedman drained three three-pointers in the second half with her last one giving the Griffins their first lead against Wall. The Griffins can be scary when they are hitting from behind the arc and they play physical defense. Experience will be in their favor in this game against Point Boro with the upperclassmen starting the last three years. 

 

Point Boro

 

Head Coach: Dave Drew

 

Projected Starting Line-Up:

#5  Taylor Lappke, So., Guard, 5’5″

#12 Georgia D’Angelo, So., Guard, 5’6″

#2  Olivia Catanese, Sr., Guard, 5’6″

#14 Angela Forese, Sr., Guard, 5’8″

#11 Julia Collins, Fr., Forward, 5’9″

 

Road to Finals:

First Round: Defeated (14) Toms River North 57-41

Semifinal Round: Defeated (10) Toms River South 39-28

 

Outlook:

The Panthers cruised into the finals with two strong first-half performances. In the opening round, they outscored Toms River North 26-9 in the second quarter to build a decisive lead. Sophomore Georgia D’Angelo has become the go-to scorer this season after the Panthers graduated their starting lineup from last season. D’Angelo scored 16 points in the first round and 13 in the semifinal. Freshman Julia Collins has done a nice job stepping into the starting lineup for Point Boro as their primary threat inside the paint. In the semifinal, she scored 10 points and grabbed eight rebounds and blocked eight shots. Her defense limited Toms River South’s ability to drive to the basket. Senior Angela Forese provides experience for Point Boro and is one of the leaders on both ends of the floor. 

 

Predictions:

Nick: Point Boro

Doug: Donovan Catholic