St. Rose Defeats Freehold Boro| 2-8-24
St. Rose vs. Freehold Boro
St. Rose, the No. 2 team in the NJ.com Top-20 rankings, rolled to a 44-18 lead by the second half.n The first round of the shore conference tournament is underway.
After a disparaging loss to Montverde Academy. St Rose prepared their response. Evan Romano scored high with 25 points, dropping 4 threes. while Avery Lynch added 21, four rebounds, and three assists. Matthew Hodge chipped in 13 points and 6 rebounds and 5 assists for St. Rose. Gio Panzini had 8 points and three of his baskets were dunks.
Freehold Boro battled hard, Digisa led with 17 points. Coach Ben Dibiase helped lead his team.
St. Rose vs. Freehold Boro score 94-46.
Freehold Boro
Location: Freehold Borough, New Jersey
Type: Public four-year high school
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: Approximately 1,400 students
Mascot: Colonials
Colors: Maroon and white
Website: http://www.frhsd.com/Freehold
Academics:
- Offers a comprehensive curriculum with AP courses and programs in various fields like STEM, business, and the arts.
- Ranked #3,207 nationwide and #130 within New Jersey by US News & World Report (2024).
- 45% of students take AP exams, indicating a strong emphasis on college prep.
Athletics:
- Competes in the Shore Conference Colonial Division.
- Offers a wide range of sports, including basketball, football, soccer, swimming, and track & field.
- Notable alumni include NFL player Stephen Hauschka and MLB player Ryan Merritt.
Other:
- Known for its Medical Sciences Learning Center, Computer Science Academy, and Culinary Arts/Hospitality Management Academy.
- Diverse student body with 55% minority enrollment.
- Offers extracurricular activities like clubs, student government, and performing arts.
Overall:
Freehold Boro High School is a large public high school offering a variety of academic and extracurricular opportunities. It’s known for its strong college prep program, athletics, and specialized academies.
St. Rose High School
Location: Belmar, New Jersey
Type: Private, co-educational Roman Catholic four-year high school
Grades: 9-12
Enrollment: Approximately 380 students
Mascot: Purple Knights
Colors: White, purple, and gold
Website: https://www.srhsnj.com/: https://www.srhsnj.com/
Academics:
- Offers a college preparatory curriculum with a strong focus on Catholic values and service.
- Advanced Placement (AP) and Honors courses available in various subjects.
- Ranked #54 best private high school in New Jersey by Niche (2024).
- Average SAT score of 1190 (higher than national average).
Athletics:
- Competes in the Shore Conference B South Division.
- Offers a variety of sports, including basketball, baseball, field hockey, soccer, and volleyball.
- Strong emphasis on sportsmanship and character development.
Other:
- Diverse student body with a strong sense of community.
- Numerous extracurricular activities, including clubs, student government, and performing arts.
- Various service learning opportunities rooted in Catholic tradition.
- Known for its commitment to fostering leadership, intellectual curiosity, and ethical responsibility.
Overall:
St. Rose High School is a small, private Catholic high school offering a personalized academic experience in a faith-based environment. It emphasizes academic excellence, character development, and service learning opportunities.
Cassidy Kruesi
Cassidy Kruesi: A Rising Star’s Journey
Family and Personal Life
Cassidy Kruesi was born on October 11, 2006, in Staten Island. She was raised in Freehold, NJ, by her parents, Bill and Sheri Kruesi. Cassidy has three siblings: Shaylyn, Liam, and Tara, who have been her biggest role models. Her family has played a crucial role in shaping her athletic career. They taught her discipline and the importance of hard work. Cassidy’s family has supported her through ups and downs, driving her to practices and offering honest feedback.
Personal Background and Inspiration: Cassidy Kruesi’s Early Years
Cassidy’s journey in sports began with strong family support. Her siblings have been instrumental in shaping her character and outlook on life. While the Kruesi family doesn’t have specific traditions for celebrating successes, they did mark Cassidy’s commitment to the University of Tampa with a special dinner.
School and Education: Cassidy Kruesi’s Academic Journey
Cassidy attends St. Rose High School in New Jersey. She stays motivated in both studies and sports by focusing on preparing for the next level at Tampa. Interestingly, Cassidy mentions that no teachers have significantly impacted her academic journey.
Career Development & Challenges: Cassidy Kruesi’s Path to Success
Cassidy’s realization of her potential came in 8th grade during a tournament in Philadelphia. Her typical off-season training day is intense, starting at 6 AM with training at Hoop Group, followed by summer practices at St. Rose and individual shooting or lifting sessions.
Character & Values: The Core of Cassidy Kruesi
Cassidy maintains her personal values by staying true to herself and not letting others change her. She sees herself as a team leader, motivating others by maintaining a positive attitude regardless of circumstances. To handle pressure, Cassidy focuses on not fearing failure and dealing with situations as they come.
Aspiration and Future Goals: Cassidy Kruesi’s Vision
In college, Cassidy aims to secure significant playing time and potentially become a sixth man or starter. Looking further ahead, she envisions a happy life, possibly “rich and on a beach”. Cassidy hopes to impact her sport by demonstrating the level of hard work required both in games and training.
Reflection and Advice: Lessons from Cassidy Kruesi’s Journey
A significant defeat for Cassidy was losing the Shore Conference tournament to Manasquan due to avoidable mistakes. From this experience, she learned the importance of avoiding “stupid” mistakes, as her coach Chrissy Hatfield emphasized. Cassidy advises young athletes to persevere, learn from mistakes, and not get discouraged.
Personal Interests and Life Beyond Sports: Cassidy Kruesi Off the Court
Outside of sports, Cassidy loves relaxing, regardless of the location. This interest complements her athletic life, providing a necessary balance to her rigorous training schedule.
Fun Facts About Cassidy Kruesi
Cassidy is a 5’6″ Shooting Guard in the class of 2025. She plays club basketball for Central Jersey Hawks. In a foul shot competition, Cassidy impressively made 97 out of 100 shots, securing first place. Her Instagram account (@cassidy_kru) showcases her journey as a student-athlete.
St. Rose Defeats Scranton
St. Rose Defeats Scranton PA in Girls Basketball Showdown
In a commanding performance, St. Rose secured a decisive 57-40 victory against Scranton PA at Holmdel HS on Sunday, February 2, 2025. The win further solidifies St. Rose’s impressive 16-3 record for the season. (Findaballer Report)
Kruesi’s Sharpshooting Leads St. Rose to Win
Cassidy Kruesi emerged as the star of the game, scoring a team-high 19 points. Her outstanding performance included five 3-pointers, showcasing her exceptional range and accuracy.
“Cassidy’s shooting was phenomenal tonight,” said St. Rose’s coach. “Her ability to stretch the floor really opened up our offense.”
Balanced Scoring Effort Propels St. Rose
While Kruesi led the charge, St. Rose’s victory was a team effort. Jada Lynch contributed 17 points, including two 3-pointers, providing a strong inside-outside combination.
St. Rose’s Three-Point Barrage
The team’s sharp shooting from beyond the arc played a crucial role in their win. St. Rose sank an impressive 10 three-pointers, with Kruesi and Lynch combining for seven of them.
Defensive Dominance: St. Rose Limits Scranton PA’s Offense
St. Rose’s defense was relentless, holding Scranton PA to just 40 points. This defensive effort created numerous scoring opportunities for St. Rose. Other offensive performances for the Roses were: Callie Decker (7 points), Belle Alverado (6 points), Caroline Conforti (5 points), Gianna Rodriguez (2 points), and Lizzy Mitchell (1 point).
Implications for Shore Conference Rankings
This win solidifies St. Rose’s position in the Shore Conference A Central division, improving their record to 16-3 overall and 6-1 in the division.
Follow @SRHSGIRLSBB for more updates on these teams’ journeys through the season.
St. Rose Boys Fall Short in Overtime Thriller Against Union Catholic
St. Rose Boys Fall Short in Overtime Thriller Against Union Catholic
In a nail-biting contest at the Mens Mental Tournament by Teddy Sourlis, St. Rose boys basketball team suffered a heartbreaking 62-59 overtime loss to Union Catholic. The game, held on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Red Bank Regional, showcased intense competition between two top-ranked teams. (Findaballer Report)
St. Rose Boys Lose in OT Despite Hodge’s Heroics
Jayden Hodge led St. Rose with an impressive 25-point performance, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win. Hodge’s efforts included two crucial three-pointers and solid defensive play with 2 steals.
Union Catholic’s Balanced Attack Proves Decisive: Union Catholic defeats St. Rose
Union Catholic’s victory came from a well-rounded team effort. AJ Altobelli led the charge with 19 points, 6 assists, and 3 steals, while Yaw Ansong contributed a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
credit Tommy Pants and Men’s X Mental
Late Surge Forces Overtime
St. Rose mounted a comeback in the third quarter, outscoring Union Catholic 21-11. However, Union Catholic rallied in the fourth, forcing the game into overtime.
“Our boys showed tremendous heart in that third quarter push,” said St. Rose’s coach. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t maintain that momentum in the final stretch.”
Rebounding Battle Tilts in Union Catholic’s Favor
Union Catholic dominated the boards, out-rebounding St. Rose 31-19. This advantage proved crucial in securing second-chance points and limiting St. Rose’s possessions.
Implications for Shore Conference and UCC Rankings
Despite the loss, St. Rose maintains their impressive 9-0 record in the Shore Conference A Central division. Union Catholic improves to 10-6 overall, boosting their position in the UCC Watchung division.
“This win against a strong St. Rose team is a big confidence booster for us,” commented Union Catholic’s coach. “It shows we can compete with the best in the state.”
Looking Ahead: St. Rose’s Path Forward
As the Mens Mental Tournament progresses, St. Rose will need to regroup quickly. Their resilience will be tested as they aim to bounce back from this narrow defeat.
Follow @mensxmental, https://x.com/mensxmental for more updates on the tournament and @Strhoops and @UCVikings_Bball for team news.