Morris County girls basketball coaches recognize top players at annual luncheon
MOUNTAIN LAKES — The Morris County Girls Basketball Coaches Association recognized the top 16 players at a luncheon on Wednesday in Mountain Lakes. Chatham coach Joe Gaba, the president, reminded the players, "You started in front of pictures on the gym wall, and finished with players in the stands."
Gaba had three players to introduce on Wednesday: senior guard Addison Barrett and junior guards Ella Kreuzer and Mia Semioli.
Kreuzer and Semioli were "affectionately called 'the freshmen' when they were on the floor together three years ago." Now, Gaba said, Semioli is "the quiet one," Kreuzer "the main event," and Barrett "the glue."
Gaba himself was honored as the Coach of the Year by his peers, after reaching 500 career victories in the season opener and guiding Chatham back to the Group 3 final. Former Morristown Beard coach Mike Sturgeon recalled playing in a packed gym on Cougar Night, and defeating the Cougars on a buzzer beater in the 2019 Morris County Tournament final.
"His attention to detail and knowledge is relentless. Winning 500 games doesn't happen by mistake," Sturgeon said. "Joe Gaba prepares for every game like he prepares for a county final. Joe treats the game with respect, always has and always will."
Morris Catholic guard Mia Pauldo was named Player of the Year for the second time. Her twin sister Mya Pauldo and Crusaders senior center Alexis Rosenfeld were named to the team as well.
"If you could only understand the pressure to compete, to play at the highest level," said Morris Catholic coach Billy Lovett, who guided Morris Catholic to its third straight MCT title and second Non-Public B trophy in a row.
"You all see them in games. You don't get to see the hard work. ... They're fierce competitors when they get on the court. Off the court, they're just kids, but they're extremely talented. As much as they score, they're the ones who make the passes as well. They play the game the right way."
More: Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference girls basketball postseason honors
Many of the players were invited to participate in the MCGCA senior all-star game on Saturday at Morristown Beard.
Morristown senior Maya Summerville and Pequannock senior Chloe Vasquez are both four-time honorees. Charlotte Tuhy, a 6-foot-1 junior helped Madison reach its first Group 2 final, was recognized for the third year in a row. Tuhy led the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference with 25 points and 12 rebounds per game, setting the school record for career rebounds.
"Whatever you do, do it passionately," Gaba said. "Make sure you love what you do, and you'll be successful."
MCGBCA All-County Team
Cassidy Ball, Jefferson senior; Addison Barrett, Chatham senior; Samantha Cicerone, Hanover Park senior; Harper Felch, Morris Tech senior; Ella Kreuzer, Chatham junior; Lia Manuel, Mendham senior; Cameron McGinley, Morristown senior; Juliana O'Dowd, Montville junior; Mya Pauldo, Morris Catholic junior; Emily Poulas, Jefferson senior; Alexis Rosenfeld, Morris Catholic senior; Mia Semioli, Chatham junior; Greta Servitto, St. Elizabeth senior; Maya Summerville, Morristown senior; Charlotte Tuhy, Madison junior; Chloe Vasquez, Pequannock senior
Player of the Year: Mia Pauldo, Morris Catholic
Coach of the Year: Joe Gaba, Chatham
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morris girls basketball recognize top players, Coach of the Year
