Brookdale Women's Basketball To Much for Vikings

Lincroft, NJ – The Jersey Blues, ranked No.4 nationally in NJCAA DIII play, won their 15th straight game Thursday night with a 70-43 drubbing of DII Mercer Community College at the Collins Arena.

Brookdale (15-2, 9-0) led from start-to-finish as Marya Trapp's (Red Bank Regional) game high 17 points led the way for the Blues. Trapp also had a team leading 10 rebounds, including an immpressive eight off the offensive glass.

Sophomore center Samantha Carlson (Manalapan H.S.) added 11 points, six boards (three offensive), five blocked shots and two assists in a fine all-around game. The six-foot-three inch Carlson has come into her own this season and has established herself as force to be reckoned with inside the paint.  

Sophomore shooting guard Paxton Reddington (Saint John Vianney) contributed 11 points and had a game high five steals. Point guard Lauren Bowler, another Red Bank Regional alumnus, dished out a team leading four assists, grabbed six rebounds and had two steals to go along with four points. Marina Lukianov (Howell H.S.) scored eight points from her guard spot and added five rebounds (four offensive) and two steals.

Sophomore guard Jazmin Palma (North Bergen H.S.) hit for nine points while freshman Megan Degruse (Middletown North H.S.) helped out with six points, two boards and a steal. Another freshman, Kimberly McNelis (Keansburg H.S.) hauled down four boards, dished out three assists and added four steals, while sophomore Nadya Szaniszlo (Keansburg H.S.) pulled down three rebounds, blocked a shot and added three points in valuable time off the bench.

Freshman Victoria Hayes (Manalapan H.S.) matched Szaniszlo stats with three points, three rebounds and a blocked shot.

The Brookdale women are the deepest they've been in years, giving head coach Bob Dubina the luxury of resting his starters and giving his talented bench players valuable game experience. The last couple of years Brookdale has had the talent but wore down by seasons end, leading to early exits in post-season play due to fatigue and injuries. This season's team should be able to avoid those pitfalls and make a nice run into the playoffs.

The Jersey Blues host Passaic County C.C. (6-7, 5-3) this Saturday at 1:00 P.M. at the Collins Arena. The Panthers are led by sophomore guard D'Andrea Watson's 18.1 points per game and sophomore forward Coby Johnson's 15.7 points per game and 6.7 rebounds.

By: Mike Ready

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