UNDER THE RADAR - JEN MOCANU FEATURE

By Scott Stump – Senior Editor

     Playing in a division where another tough game lurks at seemingly every turn and routinely drawing the assignment of stopping the other team’s top player could have worn down Middletown North senior guard Jen Mocanu, but she treated it more as a challenge in Class A North this season.
      “It’s all mental preparation,’’ Mocanu said. “Sometimes you know that no matter what you do against a team like a Colts Neck, you’re not going to come out with the win unless it’s a really good night. You can’t get down on yourself and on your teammates. You have to stay positive.’’
       Mocanu, one of the more underrated players in the area, will end her career on a positive note as part of the North All-Stars in the annual Shore Basketball Coaches’ Association Senior All-Star game at 6 p.m. on Wednesday at Freehold Township. She also will be coached one last time by Lions head coach Liz Keene, who is coaching the North team along with Red Bank’s Frank Mohler and Mater Dei’s Darren Ault.
       “It’s fun playing with these girls in a game like this,’’ Mocanu said. “We just want to go out and have a good time.’’
       “(Mocanu) kind of flew under the radar because we didn’t have as much team success, but she is a great all-around player,’’ Keene said. “We asked her to do a lot, and she delivered it.’’
       Mocanu averaged 15.5 points per game for the Lions and shot just under 40 percent from 3-point range while also averaging 7.2 rebounds and 3.6 steals per game. That’s in addition to being the Lions’ top defensive player in a division that featured Shore Conference Tournament champion Colts Neck as well as state playoff and SCT qualifiers Howell, Freehold Township and Middletown South. The Lions won seven games overall while competing in a division that had four teams with 16 or more wins, and the division’s coaches made her a second-team All-Division selection.
       “I usually had to guard the other team’s best all-around player, and it’s all about preparing yourself mentally and focusing, whether it’s watching tape or in practice,’’ Mocanu said.
       Mocanu had to deal with the likes of Colts Neck star Brooke Hampton and high-scoring Red Bank guard Deanna Mendelson as well as matchup up with Monmouth University-bound Tia Curtis of Monmouth Regional in a scrimmage.
       “They are all great players, so it was a good challenge,’’ she said.
       Mocanu could also have coaching in her future considering what she said she will miss the most about playing for the Lions.
       “I like the teaching aspect,’’ Mocanu said. “Most of our girls don’t play AAU or play all year round, so whatever coach Keene doesn’t see, I can help them fix, whether it’s their shot or something else. I’ll miss that.’’

E-mail: stump@digitalsports.com