Behind 18 points from Ashley Stenftennagel and 15 points from Michelle Johnston, Freehold Township girls basketball team defeated Toms River North at home today 66-39. Kendall Kauffman led Toms River North with 21 points. The Mariners were playing without their top scorer, Jennifer Galamb, who missed the game with a knee injury.

"It was a very good offensive game, very team oriented offensive game," Freehold Township head Coach John Sciarappa said.

"Their ability to shoot was ridiculous today," Toms River North head Coach Vicki Guarneri said. "They just have five, six girls that can all shoot the ball. It was very impressive to watch."

It was an offensive explosion from the beginning. Down 2-1, Johnston hit a three pointer to begin an 8-0 run to quickly make the score 9-2 Patriots. That was the only time Freehold Township would trail all game. Behind nine of Stenftennagel's 18, they ended the first quarter up 20-8, finishing the quarter on an 11-4 run.

Seemingly in control of the game, Sciarappa quickly called a timeout after Toms River North's Christina Gerew scored the first basket of the second quarter. He was livid. The reason: poor defense.

"We have a philosophy on how we play defense. It's a very simple concept – it's different from a lot of people. And we know it. But you put the kids on the court and they just resort to whatever they want to do," Sciarappa said.

He would continue preaching defense to his girls for the rest of the contest, but their offense wouldn't have to make him sweat the outcome. They entered halftime ahead by 15, with a Madison Dunn three right before the buzzer punctuating the offensive explosion.

Freehold continued to put up points in the third quarter. Seemingly trading off baskets between Stefanie Martinez and Johnston, they opened the third on a 12-2 run, and finished it up 19, 49-20.

The fourth quarter also went the Patriots way, with Freehold Township outscoring Toms River North 17-9 in the final period to get the 66-39 victory.

Looking forward for Freehold Township, their focus will continue to be on improving their play on defense.

"Undoubtedly," Sciarappa said. "And toughness. Defensive toughness – it's all about once concept – defensive toughness and rebounding."

Freehold Township is 8-0 for the season. Toms River North is 2-5.