After a standout basketball season for the Monarchs, the success of the team continues with postseason accolades. Nina Emnace ‘24 has been named First Team, All-Shore Conference by the Asbury Park Press for her performance throughout the winter basketball season. Head coach Matt McCarthy has been named All-Shore Coach of the Year by the Asbury Park Press.
Nina Emnace shined in her third season with the Monarchs. She led the team in points and steals, and reached the milestone of 1,000 points as only the second basketball player to do so in Trinity Hall history. This season, Nina averaged 19.9 points per game, 5.3 rebounds per game, 3.5 assists per game and 4.9 steals per game. In their final division game against Howell, Nina scored 16 points to solidify the victory and remain undefeated as a team in the A North Division. Nina was also recently named Player of the Year in the A North Division by Shore Sports Network.
Nina expressed, "Being the little school in Tinton Falls, everyone counted us out. But this season we brought the program to a new level, making sure we would no longer be left out of the basketball conversation for the Shore Conference or even the state. Day in and out, we worked to earn respect and prove people wrong, and we certainly wouldn't have been this successful without Coach McCarthy, Coach O'Brien, Coach Kristin, and Coach Abby. They brought the energy every single day, motivating us to be better student-athletes on and off the court. It is an understatement to say that this was an exciting season.”
Head coach Matt McCarthy said, “I'm so proud of Nina. It's quite the honor being named First Team, All-Shore, and it is so well deserved because she has worked incredibly hard to get to this point. She sets the bar extremely high and is never satisfied. The best is yet to come. Despite the individual accolades that will come her way, she has always put the importance of team success ahead of her own. She is the ultimate teammate.”
Led by head coach Matt McCarthy, the varsity basketball team finished with an overall record of 26-6 and a 15-2 record in the Shore Conference. The Monarchs won the A North Division, which gave them momentum as they continued into the postseason. The team made it to the quarterfinals of both the Shore Conference tournament and the NJSIAA state tournament. Coach McCarthy is honored to be named All-Shore Coach of the Year.
Matt McCarthy stated, “Being named Coach of the Year is really a testament to the leadership of Trinity Hall and all the past and current girls who have been part of building our program. Five years ago, my first year, the senior class was 22 students. In such a short period of time, Trinity Hall has done an amazing job with attracting great students that want to be challenged in the classroom and with athletics. I'm really fortunate to work with such a wonderful group of student-athletes.”
Congratulations to Nina and Coach McCarthy on a great season and these outstanding accomplishments
(Photo credit of left photo: Asbury Park Press)