St. Rose Girls Defeats SJV in Shore Conference Tournament Semifinals

In a thrilling Shore Conference Tournament semifinal matchup, No. 11 St. Rose emerged victorious over No. 5 St. John Vianney with a final score of 51-46. The game, held at Toms River North on February 18, 2025, showcased the talent and determination of both teams.

Historical Matchup: St. Rose and SJV Rivalry Continues

The St. Rose Purple Roses and St. John Vianney Lancers have a long-standing rivalry in New Jersey girls’ basketball. This latest encounter added another exciting chapter to their storied history. Both teams entered the game with impressive records, St. Rose at 21-4 and SJV at 20-6.

Jada Lynch: St. Rose’s Scoring Sensation

Jada Lynch, St. Rose’s standout player, led the charge with an impressive 19-point performance. Lynch’s consistent scoring ability has been evident throughout the season. Earlier in January, she exploded for a career-high 40 points against Red Bank Catholic.

St. Rose Defense Stifles SJV in Fourth Quarter

The game remained tight through three quarters, with both teams matching each other point for point. However, St. Rose’s defense stepped up in the crucial fourth quarter. They outscored SJV 14-8 in the final period, securing their victory.

Cassidy Kruesi: St. Rose’s Unsung Hero

While Lynch grabbed the headlines, Cassidy Kruesi played a pivotal role in St. Rose’s win. Kruesi contributed 17 points, including four three-pointers, and led the team with four steals. Her all-around performance proved crucial in the tight contest.

SJV Falls Short Despite Strong Effort

Despite a valiant effort, St. John Vianney couldn’t overcome St. Rose’s fourth-quarter surge. The Lancers kept pace for most of the game but struggled to maintain their offensive output in the final minutes.

St. Rose now advances to the Shore Conference Tournament finals, where they will face their next challenge. The championship game is scheduled to take place at Monmouth University.

SJV Coach Dawn Karpell and Players’ Resilience

St. John Vianney’s head coach, Dawn Karpell, is one of New Jersey’s most accomplished coaches, with over 540 career victories and multiple state championships to her name. Karpell expressed pride in her team’s effort despite the loss, stating, “We fought hard and showed our character.”

Key players for SJV included Megan Sias and Bella Mallory, who both contributed significantly throughout the season but faced challenges against a tough St. Rose defense in this game. Sias noted, “We need to learn from this experience and come back stronger.”

Karpell’s leadership continues to inspire her players as they aim for future success in upcoming games.

St. Rose now advances to the Shore Conference Tournament finals, where they will face Red Bank Catholic. The championship game is scheduled to take place at Monmouth University.

St. Rose Girls Defeats SJV SCT Semifinal