Neptune girls take champions' crown

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The fourth quarter was all Shakena Richardson and all Neptune.

Richardson, a 5-foot-5 junior guard, took over in the final eight minutes to lead Neptune to a 67-48 victory over St. John Vianney last night in the Tournament of Champions title game for girls' basketball.

Richardson finished with 20 points and nine assists for Neptune (30-1), the Group 3 state champion and top seed.

Senior forward Sehmonyeh Allen added 18 points, including a big three-point jumper to open the fourth quarter.

Junior forward Katie O'Reilly scored 22 points and junior guard Missy Repoli added 18 for St. John Vianney (28-4), the Non-Public A state champion and third seed.

"We want to come back here next year and win it," junior guard Jackie Kates said of a St. John Vianney team that started five juniors.

Neptune, which lost only to Murry Bergtraum, a New York power, started four juniors.

The Scarlet Fliers were in front by 44-40 entering the fourth quarter but got a big lift when Allen made the three-pointer from the deep left corner.

Richardson took it from there. She scored six of her points and dealt five of her assists in the fourth quarter.

Several of her passes were no-look dishes to teammates for open layups.

"That's how we roll," junior guard Syessence Davis said of Richardson's creative play.

Richardson said she was excited to play in such a big game at the Izod Center.

"It's like, 'All eyes on you,' " Richardson said. "I like that."

St. John Vianney 12 14 14 8 - 48

Neptune 22 7 15 23 - 67

SJV: Aaron Zimmerman 4, Katie O'Reilly 22, Missy Repoli 18, Clare Kessisk 2 Kat Eagan 2.

N: Shakena Richardson 20, Chyna Golden 14, Noelle Carter 2, Syessence Davis 9, Sehmonyeh Allen 18, Ivy Harrington 2, Nahja Carter 2.