Vianney girls in familiar mode
Experienced St. John Vianney squad among state’s best
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA
Staff Writer

CHRIS KELLY staff Courtney Calderone is just one of several experienced players returning for the St. John Vianney Lady Lancers this year, as they attempt to retain the title of the state’s top team this season.

With its entire starting lineup back, expectations are high for the St. John Vianney (SJV) High School girls basketball team.

What else is new?

Big expectations are not unusual for the Lancers, who went 21-5 a year ago and reached the final of the NJSIAA Parochial A South tourney before bowing to rival Red Bank Catholic. SJV won state titles in 2003 and 2002.

“The girls know where they want to be, and they want to be one of the last teams still playing in March,” coach Bob Ward said.

This year’s squad will face the highest of expectations, with a starting line-up filled with experienced players who have played in a number of big games over the last few season.

The Lancers are talented, deep and hungry, and deserve to be looked upon as the team to beat in the Shore Conference this season, and perhaps the state.

Senior point guard Shantel Brown leads the talented SJV squad. Brown averaged 15 points, six assists and four rebounds a year ago. Anyone who has watched Vianney play the last three years knows that as Brown goes, so does the Lancer team.

Her tenacity and confidence is contagious, making her one of the top players in the state, and the key to the Lancer attack.

Sophomore Alisa Apo, who averaged nine points, is Brown’s backcourt partner.

Up front Courtney Calderone is a solid offensive threat. The junior forward averaged 10 points and eight boards last season.

Calderone is a hard worker under the boards, and is one of the players opponents will have to concentrate on controlling this season.

But based on the success she has enjoyed through two years with Vianney, controlling Calderone is a challenge most teams can’t meet.

Senior Colleen Light and junior Kristine Perez are also in the forecourt. Perez averaged six points and seven rebounds, while Light averaged 5.5 points and five boards.

The Lancers have a deep bench as well, which includes senior forwards Kat Gooch and Jessi Nimbley, junior Kait Weldon and sophomore center Kayla Killian. Christine Walczak and Lauren Galladay provide depth at guard.

“We have experience, speed and quickness,” said Ward.

“The only thing is overall we’re not a real big team so we’re emphasizing defense to try and create turnovers so we can take advantage of our strengths.”

SJV is set to open the campaign Friday at Manasquan and will visit Archbishop Carroll on Sunday before heading to the Marist Christmas Tournament.

They enter the season as the team to beat in the Shore Conference, and for good reason. They were one of the top teams in the state last year, and return all of the key components of that team.

The Lady Lancers are used to playing with the bull’s-eye on their backs. This year will be no different.