By Scott Stump - Senior Editor

     When asked about the assignment of facing Shabazz in the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions semifinals at 6 p.m. on Thursday at the Ritacco Center, St. John Vianney coach Dawn Karpell smiled and said: "They play just like us.''
     Now we'll see who does the running, trapping, chaotic pace better when the two teams clash tonight, only one step away from playing for the ultimate prize in New Jersey high school basketball. The winner of Thursday's game gets the winner of the second game between top-seeded University, the defending T of C champion, and Trenton, in the championship game at 6:30 p.m. on Monday at the Izod Center.
     The sixth-seeded Lancers are the last Shore Conference team standing on the boys and girls side, and it has been a combination of star Katelyn Linney and an improved cast of returners along with four standout freshmen that Karpell has seamlessly integrated into a formidable unit.
     Those young players know what they are up against as well.
     "I remember when my sister played against them, and it was like 'Shabazz with (Rutgers star) Matee Ajavon,''' freshman Missy Repoli said. "It was like, 'Wow, this team is amazing.'''
      Shabazz has become the 800-pound gorilla in New Jersey with T of C titles in 2003, 2004 and 2006, and it is no less scary this season. However, the Lancers have been playing one run-and-gun team after another, so it's not like their style of play will be anything new.
      Here's a look at the key players and the strategies:

     ST. JOHN VIANNEY (26-4)
 
     Key players: Junior Katelyn Linney is making a late push for Player of the Year honors with a tremendous state tournament. She dropped in 20 points on Trenton Catholic in the T of C quarterfinals, including a 4-for-7 showing from 3-point range, all with several coaches from Division I-A schools looking on in the stands. She has greatly improved her game to include runners off the dribble from every angle, a good jab step and a pump fake and hard dribble to the rim. Freshman Missy Repoli has been the second main scorer for the Lancers, and she is deadly when shooting from the baseline, all the way out from behind the 3-point line, while also doing a nice job of finishing off steals and in transition. Guard Jen Mulvey is a good defender and a threat to put it on the floor and get to the basket and hit the occasional 3-pointer, and Kate Wilverding is another player who will hurt teams from behind the arc if left open. Freshman point guard Jackie Kates has been getting better with every game and more confident in her offense. When she gets into the paint, you can mark it down that it will be followed by a bounce pass to the block and a lay-up by one of her teammates. Guard Teresa Manigrasso is a harassing defender who is perfect for St. John Vianney's press and is good at getting her hands in the passing lanes and tipping the ball for steals. Center Kristyn Tempora's main job is to rebound and to rotate defensively, while freshman forwards Arron Zimmerman and Katie O'Reilly are good at rotating defensively and attacking the offensive boards. Zimmerman also has great shooting range for an interior player.

     St. John Vianney's strategy:
  • Rebound, rebound, rebound. As Karpell noted against Trenton Catholic, rebounding was the key. They are going to have to do it again while trying to keep Shabazz forwards Jynae Judson and Chanez Wilson, a pair of 6-footers, off the glass in particular. Teams have had trouble scoring on the Lancers against the press or in the half-court set, so they can't let them hang around by getting easy buckets off putbacks. Also, when they control the defensive glass, it allows them to outlet the ball to Kates and Linney and score in transition. Shabazz has stretches where it can't get any long jumpers to fall, so if SJV just limits the Bulldogs to one-and-done, it will be in great shape.
  • Use their depth. By playing nine or 10 players, the Lancers can wear teams down to bring it home in the fourth. It's going to be a fast-paced game, so they want to prove that they are in better shape and will have more left in the tank at the end.
  • Get Linney going early. Linney came out and hit some shots right away in the first quarter against Trenton Catholic and it led to a big night. Run some high screens and some handoffs that allow her to either put it on the floor and get inside or let if fly from behind the arc.
  • Win the turnover battle. This one is huge because, just like the Lancers, Shabazz's offense feeds off the turnovers its defense creates. If St. John Vianney takes that element away by protecting the ball, that's a big dent to Shabazz's scoring.
  • Push the game into the 50s. Shabazz has only been allowing 35 points per game, so get the game up in the 50s to try and demoralize the Bulldogs a little bit.
  • Rotate defensively. Shabazz has several players who can get into the lane off the dribble. Rotate quickly and take some charges. Force the Bulldogs to become a jump-shooting team.
      Did you know?: When Karpell was a freshman in 1992, the Lancers reached the T of C with four freshmen in the lineup, just like this season. The Lancers won the T of C in 1993 with four sophomores and a freshman in the starting lineup. Also, the Lancers have the most Non-Public A titles (11) in state history and also won a Non-Public B championship in 1995. St. John Vianney is 12-0 all-time in state finals.

      SHABAZZ (28-2)

      Key players: Forwards Chanez Robinson and Jynae Judson are both over six feet and both will cause problems inside, particularly on the offensive boards. Swing Ebony Wilson is athletic off the dribble and will pull the trigger from outside while also dishing to the forwards on penetration. Guards Kejunia Walker and Desiree Simmons are the 3-point bombers, and they get a lot of looks off kickouts into the post when Robinson and Judson are playing well and commanding double teams. Waliyaah Newman is another active player who will get in the lane and draw fouls.

     Shabazz's strategy:
  • Cause a lot of turnovers early. Try and get St. John Vianney rattled right away, because the Lancers are locked in a nice comfort zone right now.
  • Run a double team at Linney if necessary. Get the ball out of her hands and force someone else to put up double digits besides Missy Repoli.
  • Get Repoli out of her comfort zone. Repoli likes to work along the baseline on either side for jumpers or drives to the basket. Make her catch the ball up near the top of the key or in other areas where she is not as comfortable.
  • Keep Jackie Kates out of the lane. When the freshman gets into the paint, it's usually a lay-up, a foul, or both. Back way off her and force her to consistently hit jumpers or pass the ball from the perimeter.
  • Be strong with the ball. St. John Vianney is very good at crowding ballhandlers with its traps and getting them just off balance enough to throw bad passes that get stolen. They also will swipe at the ball when players put it over their heads. Opponents have to be strong and decisive because the longer you hold the ball, the better of a chance that the Lancers will steal it or tie it up for a jump ball.
  • Get a 6- or 8-point lead going into the fourth quarter. Make the Lancers play from behind and have to make adjustments to try and close the gap.
  • Punish them on the offensive boards. Use the size advantage to play volleyball under the glass and get lay-ups.
      Did you know?:  Before winning Group III titles in 2003, 2004, 2006 and 2008, Shabazz had not won a Group title since 1983.

E-mail: stump@digitalsports.com