Lady Braves Continue Downward Spiral in Brick

The fortunes of the Manalapan Lady Braves basketball team appeared to be changing for the better.

Coming into Wednesday night's matchup against the Brick Green Dragons, Manalapan had lost four consecutive games by a margin of ten points or greater.  Staked to an early lead against a team with a losing record, it seemed the Lady Braves were destined to end the anguish.

Manalapan never trailed in the first half, sprinting to a 14-6 advantage in the first quarter behind senior Christina Minneci's six points.  The Braves outscored the Lady Dragons six to four in the second to claim a 20-9 lead at the break.  With an eleven point cushion, Manalapan coach Scott Horton knew the game was at an important juncture.

"We talked about it at the half.  The next six points will determine the game," Horton said.

The coach was right.

Held to five points in the first two quarters, Brick came out of halftime looking to utilize the scoring prowess of senior Shaniece Hardy.  Left with space between her and the defender, the guard knocked down a three pointer to open the second half.  She connected again from beyond the arc on the Green Dragons' next possession as Brick started the third quarter with eight unanswered points.  With ten seconds remaining in the frame, Hardy sank two free throws to cut the Manalapan lead to 26-25. 

Brick carried the momentum into the fourth quarter.  Hardy connected on a field goal to begin the fourth, giving the Lady Dragons their first lead of the night.  Manalapan center Samantha Meier answered on the next play with two points to regain the advantage for the Braves.  Five points on consecutive possessions by Brick junior Kathleen Conlon gave the lead back to the home team.  Manalapan rallied, capped by Christina Minneci's two free throws to bring the score to 32-31 in favor of the Braves.  It would prove to be the last time Manalapan was on top.

Brick finished on an 11-2 run on their way to a 42-34 comeback victory.  The Lady Dragons (7-10) scored 33 in the second half, spearheaded by Shaniece Hardy's 15 points.  The senior guard outscored the entire Braves roster in the final two quarters on her way to a game high 20 points.  Manalapan coach Scott Horton cited her play as the difference in the game.

"Hardy got hot. I thought she put her team on her back."  Added Horton, "Hardy's a good player, we knew that.  We told them that, but they didn't do what they had to do to stop her."

Supplementing the Brick attack was Kathleen Conlon.  The junior contributed 10 of her 12 points in the second half, twice connecting on shots from beyond the arc.

Manalapan (10-8, 3-5) had a trio of players score in double digits as point guard Christina Minneci finished with a team high 11 points.  Center Samantha Meier connected on five of seven shot attempts for 10 points, amassing 15 rebounds while blocking 3 shots.  Guard Cat Traina added 10 points to go along with 5 rebounds.

Leading by 11 at halftime, the Lady Braves were outscored 33-14 in the game's final two quarters.  Coach Scott Horton spoke of his team's meltdown following the game.

"I don't think we rebounded as well in the second half as we did the first half. I don't think we defended as well.  Offensively, I thought we were really silly and not smart with the ball at all," explained Horton.

The coach said his team will need to give a better effort if they expect to win Thursday night.

"The first thing we have to do is care.  I didn't see much fight at all from us. I didn't see much desire," Horton said.

Asked about his team's spirits, the coach remarked, "they're pretty down, and they should be down.  It was unacceptable."

The Lady Braves will host Class A North rival Marlboro Thursday at 5:30 P.M.  Prior to the game, Manalapan will honor Alli Luttrell and Christina Minneci as part of a Senior Night ceremony scheduled to begin at 5:20.