CJ Hawks win a junior national tourney title

The Central Jersey Hawks 14U AAU basketball team ended a successful summer campaign by winning the United States Junior National Tournament in Washington, D.C.

The Hawks downed teams from Maryland, New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania during the four-day tourney, which ended July 30. Guard Lauren Clarke pumped in 19 points to pace the Hawks in their championship game triumph over the New York Gauchos. Clarke averaged 15 points per game during the tourney to lead the team, followed by forward Alexa Ryan, who averaged 14 points, mirroring their averages for the summer. Clarke plays for Colts Neck High School while Ryan plays for Raritan.

"For our girls it's all about playing as a team," coach Jim Ryan explained. "They've really grasped the team concept at both ends of the court. They make me look smart as a coach because they're always moving the ball and looking to make that extra pass."

Guard Lisa Lebak, who attends The Peddie School, averaged nine points, while forward Gia Russo, of Brick, and guard Loretta Tonuzi, who plays for Raritan, averaged seven points apiece.

In all, the Hawks played 62 games, compiling a fine 50-12 mark. The team competed in the Union County-based Hawks Basketball League and finished second overall behind the Linden Flames.

The Hawks also qualified for the state AAU tourney and compiled a 7-1 mark, losing in the final to the West Orange Crusaders - a team that went on to finish fourth in the national AAU tourney. Coach Ryan's girls also took second place in the Hershey (Pa.) Tournament, where they lost in the finals to the Crusaders.

"The Crusaders are an excellent team and we just weren't able to get past them," coach Ryan said. "Still, our girls had a great summer. They played a lot of basketball and they worked hard to improve."

In addition to the 62 games, the Hawks practiced at least twice a week in locations ranging from Freehold Borough High School to the Hazlet Middle School. Ryan pointed out that several of his players have been playing summer ball together for the past three years, first as the Jersey Sting and now as the Hawks.

"The girls are here because they want to be, they love playing basketball," he said. "We're probably going to play in a few tournaments in the fall and, hopefully, we'll be back together next spring."

Other members of the Hawks include center Stephanie Fish (Brick High School); forwards Tracy Vill (Colts Neck), Cayla Linfante (Monsignor Donovan), Kelsey Woehnker (Red Bank Catholic), and Elizabeth Zwirz (Marlboro); and guard Melissa Martorelli (Holmdel). Brian Clarke and Sam Tonuzi served as assistant coaches.

- Warren Rappleyea