Brookdale Women's Basketball 2007-2008
Head Coach: Joanne Cobb
Head Coach: Marianne Campacci
Garden State Athletic Conference Champions
Region XIX Tournament Champions
NJCAA National Tournament – 6th place
NJCAA National Sportsmanship Award
The 2006-2007 Jersey Blues lost their first three games of the season, but showed everyone what champions are made of by reeling off 9 straight wins and finishing conference play with a 14 – 2 record. Key wins over Gloucester and Passaic Community Colleges anchored Brookdale’s fifth Garden State Conference Championship.
After defeating a much improved Middlesex team, Brookdale met the squad responsible for 2 of their losses, Bergen County College. Trailing by 12 points at the half, the Jersey Blues battled back to a 10 point win and a bid to the National Championship in Utica, NY. Freshmen Jamie Biddle (Howell High School) was named the Rose Battaglia Region XIX MVP; Sasha Fabrizio (Brick Township High School) and Keshia Taylor (Point Pleasant Borough High School) were named to the All Conference/Region team. Sophomores Brie Kwiatkowski (Monsignor Donovan High School) and Katie Miller (Raritan High School) were named Academic All-Americans.
Brookdale finished 6th in the Nation in Utica and were awarded the National Junior College Sportsmanship Award. Nationally, the Blues finished 17th in defense, (holding opponents to 56 points per game), 1st in 3 pt. field goal percentage, 4th in offense (71 points per game), and 5th in field goal percentage.
2007-2008 Oulook
With 6 returning players and 5 strong freshmen, the Jersey Blues are looking like the team to beat again. The sophomores are experienced enough to know that taking care of one game at a time is the key to a winning season. The coaching staff and players know last season was just that – last season. “This is a new year with a bulls eye on our backs in a tough conference,” says Coach Joanne Cobb.
Brookdale is still well balanced with size, speed, and player versatility to go big or small at any time. Three of the top rebounders can rotate up top and score when needed. Leading the way will be 5’9” Keshia Taylor, 11.9 ppg, 6’0 Jamie Biddle, 11.3 ppg, and 5’11” Sasha Fabrizio, 11.4 ppg and 10.7 rpg. Olivia Triano, (5’10, Keyport High School), and Lisa James (5’11 Manchester Regional High School), are nationally ranked and will lead the Blues from behind the 3 point arc; but teams beware – they are tough rebounders when playing inside. Erica Hoffman, (5’6, Middletown North High School) is deadly under pressure from the 19’ arc and foul line, but plays the small forward deceptively well. Newcomer Kitora Jones, (5’4, Perth Amboy High School) will run the point with speed and vision while Maria Locicero, (5’5, Mater Dei High School) and Savannah Simmons (5’4, Wall Township High School) will spot up outside and can take over the offense when Jones goes low. Small forwards Kim Coleman, (5’9, Monsignor Donovan High School) and Vallerea Vazquez (5’7, Keansburg High School) will provide strong rebounding and “garbage” points in the post next to Fabrizio.
