Today we announce Hoop Group's 2019 Girls Coach of the Year. The Coach of the Year does not always go to the coach with the most wins, but the coach that get the most out of their team. It is somebody whose players develop as a team, as individuals and who rallies the support of their team, the school and community.
Many coaches had standout seasons including Dave Beauchemin Manchester, John Truhan Red Bank Regional, Joe Montano Red Bank Catholic, and Brad Hagensen's Marlboro. At the top of this list, sit two 2019 Co-Coaches of the Year, Dave Callahan Rumson Fair-Haven and Justin McGhee Middletown North.
There is no doubt when Dave Callahan replaced future Hall of Fame Coach George Sourlis, as the Head Coach at Rumson Fair Heaven, he was stepping into big shoes. In three years, Coach Callahan has established himself as one of the best coaches not only in the Shore Conference but the entire state. This year his team started unranked in the state and in the Shore Conference but was able to turn a young team around and spent most of the season ranked in the state and Shore Conference. Despite the loss of one of the top point guard in the state last year, Tori Hyduke Coach Callahan made it to the Group 2 sectional title and knocked off Chatham High School. He developed Grace Munt into a point guard, transformed a group of two sport athletes like Sophia Passalaqua into aggressive productive players, nurtured Charlie Rose into a Hoop Group All Freshman Team member, and gave freshman Grace Colucci the confidence to become an impactful baby this season. Dave Callahan pieced a team together and created a tight knit group. The dedication and time he invested created opportunities for his players. Players like Lucy Adams have began to get attention and Grace Munt has D1 offers from Atlantic 10 schools. He has involved the entire Rumson Fair Heaven community has made Rumson Fair Haven a place every kid in town wants to be part of. Dave Callahan is the reason Rumson is projected to start the year in the Top 10 in the state and a favorite in the Shore Conference.
Justin McGhee of Middletown North has his own presence and style. No team improved more as the season moved along from start to finish. He drove his team to improve as individuals and as a group and encouraged them to play with energy and passion. His team was one of the most discipline group I have seen in some time. What I found most impressive about Coach McGhee is his ability to adapt Middletown North's play against different styles and make in game adjustments. Justin McGhee displayed the rare ability to coach the players he had and create a team dynamic that allowed them to play above their talent level knocking off Colts Neck, RBR and Howell during the season. You see the team's growth in their schedule. Middletown North knocked off teams late in the season they lost to the first time around. Coach McGhee played unselfish basketball wining games with passing, ball movement and a group of kids that 100% brought into the system. Coach McGhee proved you can play the game the "right way", with the right leadership, passion, and purpose. Players like Sophia Memon and Victoria Paliando reach new heights and Melissa Golembieski had an impressive senior season. The truth of the matter is that Justin McGhee can flat out coach. Coach McGhee knows he does not have the talent of other schools. Yet he holds his kids to a standard of excellence. Coach McGhee built a team that was entertaining to watch play and program to root for.
