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Ranney Girls Win Fourth Straight Title at 18th Annual Panther Classic Basketball Tournament

A Panther Classic Recap
The Ranney School of Tinton Falls hosted its 18th Annual Panther Classic Basketball Tournament in the Gerhard Pavilion for Athletics on January 6th and 7th, 2012 — resulting in the Lady Panthers’ fourth Championship title in just four years. A spirited tradition since 1994, this year’s Panther Classic featured varsity boys’ and girls’ teams from United Christian Academy, Calvary Academy, Doane Academy and Ranney School, and saw ultimate victory from Ranney School’s girls’ team and Doane Academy’s boys’ team.

The tournament began on Friday afternoon and continued well into the evening, with a girls’ game between Ranney School and Calvary Academy. A well-played first-round match, Calvary’s Dana Kelly led the Watchmen in scoring with seven points. Meanwhile, Ranney scholar-athletes Carly Ansell ’14 and Madison Pflaster ’14 led the Lady Panthers with eight points apiece. They were followed by Jeeda Ani ’15 who netted six, Rachel Burstiner ’13 who garnered five, and Alexa Volpe ’12 who added four for Ranney in the 35-18 win over Calvary.

Along with the Lady Panthers, the girls’ team from United Christian Academy also qualified for final tournament play with a 38-30 victory against Doane Academy on Friday afternoon. A Panther Classic Championship game was then held on Saturday, January 7th, resulting in a back-and-forth battle between Ranney and United Christian. Knowing that only one team could be crowned champion, senior Alexa Volpe managed to hit four free-throws in the game’s final minute of play, giving Ranney a 24-21 lead. “I was nervous, but trying to stay as focused as possible,” said Alexa after the game. “I knew the team was counting on me.”

While United Christian player Amanda Carty led the Eagles with seven points, also carrying the Lady Panthers to victory alongside Alexa Volpe was Carly Ansell with a game-high 10 points. Carly was named MVP of the tournament as she accumulated a whopping 18 points over a two-game span. Meanwhile, fellow sophomore Madison Pflaster was one of several talented athletes named to the Classic’s All-Tournament team. She was joined by Monalisa Hyppolite of Doane Academy, Alyssa Kafton of Calvary Academy, and Taylor Lee and Brielle McCarthy of New Jersey United Christian Academy.

Following the Lady Panthers’ 35-18 win on Friday evening, Ranney’s varsity boys’ basketball team then took to the court, where it confidently faced New Jersey United Christian Academy of Cream Ridge. Ranney’s player of the game was Joseph Esquivel-Murphy ’14, who earned 16 points, had seven steals and totaled three assists throughout the 59-18 victory. Close behind was Omar Hozayen ’13, who went six-for-six and earned 12 points total for his team. While John Mejia ’15 led freshmen Vahak Hovnanian and Ryan Wade with eight points, five rebounds and two assists, all were credited with earning the first points of their varsity careers as well.

Aside from Ranney, the boys’ team from Doane also qualified for the tournament’s championship game following a 51-32 win over Calvary. A repeat of last year’s championship match, the Panthers were once again unable to overcome their opponent from Doane. “Although they did not win, Ranney’s varsity boys’ basketball team has definitely improved since last year’s tournament,” said Head Coach Tyler Schmelz.

Down 10-2 at the start of the second quarter, Ranney came back to tie the score, but failed to secure a lead as Doane regained control at the half. While senior Neil Amin scored five three-pointers, Ranney sophomores Joseph Esquivel-Murphy, Grahame Wade, and William Rotolo contributed a combined 20 points to the 61-40 loss. In the end, both Joe and Will — along with John Manning of Calvary, and Chris Scott and Steven Marshall of Doane — were selected as members of the Classic’s All-Tournament team. Meanwhile, the boys’ Tournament MVP went to Davis Graham of Doane Academy.

Now the varsity girls’ basketball team’s fourth consecutive Panther Classic Championship title, — the girls have earned 11 championship titles since 1994 — Head Coach and Director of Athletics Thomas Moriau also sees the last-minute win as reassuring compared to several close losses faced earlier this season. “This game showed the girls that they are capable of winning a close game,” said Moriau. “It gave us the confidence needed to move forward toward yet more victories on the court this year.”


Winter Pep Rally Kicks-Off Panther Classic Tourney
In anticipation of its 18th Annual Panther Classic Tournament, the Athletic Department hosted a winter Pep Rally in the Gerhard Pavilion for Athletics on Friday, January 6, 2012. Not only did the event honor both varsity basketball teams, but it also recognized those athletes participating in the school’s remaining winter sports this season.

With students from each division present, the Pep Rally began with a “We are Panthers” cheer led by Master of Ceremonies, P.E. teacher and coach Brian Dolan, who then called those members from Ranney’s 11 winter teams to the center of the gym floor for a round of applause from an audience baring festive signs and Panther gear. Several varsity-volunteers including Alexa Volpe ’12 and Madison Price ’13 then split into three teams of two, and took part in a three-point shooting contest. Representing the Lower School, contest winners Jenna DiSalvo ’14 and Jesse Zucker ’13 earned the school’s youngest division a dress-down day.

Other games throughout the Pep Rally included a hula hoop relay comprised of three volunteers from each varsity and Middle School team. All in all, the assembly provided a great opportunity for the Ranney School community to show support for all of its dedicated athletes, as well as wish the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams good luck!
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.