Now that I've had some time to digest the NCAA Tournament and Easter dinner (penne and meatballs followed by prime rib), and you've had time to digest All-Area, here are some explanations.
Player of the Year: Daisha Simmons, Gill St. Bernard's.
Why? Simmons was at her best in big games. Criticizing Gill's schedule does not work because it included Somerville, Bridgewater-Raritan, Franklin, Marist, Montgomery, West Morris, Ridge, Immaculate-Lodi, Hillsborough, Trenton Catholic, etc. Criticizing Simmos' defense does not work either, because it is much improved from last season. She guards the opposing team's best perimeter player and gets in her face at halfcourt with tenacious man-to-man tactics. And you cannot criticize Simmons' offensive game because....well...it is impossible. She easily is the best open-court 1-on-1 player in the area, but she also showed an ability to hit the 3 and find the open teammate. Simply, as a sophomore, she was the best player. But it was close...
Coach of the Year: Joe Marino, Westfield.
Why? 1929. That's the last time the Blue Devils girls basketball program won any kind of championship, that was the year. Nearly 80 years later, Marino guided Westfield past a severe case of the injury bug and to the Union County Tournament title. It was the finishing touch on a very long rebuilding process for the ninth year coach, and enough to push him past several other strong candidates.
Top-ranked team: Rutgers Prep.
Why? Why not? Rutgers Prep dominated the Prep B Tournament on the way to a state championship and ran through the Somerset County Tournament, becoming the only local program to win two titles. This season left me begging to know how Rutgers Prep would fair in the NJSIAA Tournament. I think this team was good enough to win the Non-Public B sectional title.
My toughest decision: Who to put on Third Team All-Area?
Make sure you check out: The end of the year notebook. It has several smaller teams such as all-defensive, all-rebounding, etc. It's a good way to recognize some players who work very hard at one aspect of the game and fly under the radar.
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8 comments:
How come nobody is responding to these picks? I think Simmons was a great pick, and you couldve gone 10million ways with coach of the year. Not a bad pick, just not where I wouldve went.
Simmons was an obvious one. Marino,maybe there were others. Why should anybody respond?
Mgbada should have been player of the year. Second team, are you serious?
While I don't agree with the above statement, I do feel that Ryan was off base on many of his selections, first through third team.
Mgbada player of the year??? Perhaps 1st Team but I think POY would be pushing it.
As far as POY, I was hoping one of the seniors would get it but mainly because of their careers and not necessarily this year. Also, I know Simmons will be getting it the next 2 years. But, I certainly understand his selection so I don't have a problem with it.
I don't get COY - I don't think so much importance should be placed on a County Tournament (especially in a county that had a weak year). I was thinking it should have gone to the Watchung Hills coach(exceeding expectations after loosing best player in school history) or Rutger's Prep coach (young team with 2 titles).
1st/2nd/3rd Team - not too bad but I think he was missing some in Honorable Mention.
The 'Other' categories - I would have like to have seen an 'All Small School' team like Jerry Carino does for the boys. Some of the selections made me laugh but overall, I think Ryan did a good job of spreading it out amongst the teams.
In a nut shell, the only real disappointment I had was his pick for Coach.
...spreading it around (last post) are the operative words. Not sure if he does it consciously or not, but it does seem like Ryan tries to include players from all across the area, and from large, small and private schools. It keeps whatever few readers there are of girls basketball interested. As for the picks, they would not have been mine, but Ryan is entitled to his opinion.
What would be your picks. Make sure you include your daughter.
Who said Marino couldn't win the big one??!
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