South girls basketball team ready to play again
Gannon returns to action following hospital stay last season
BY WARREN RAPPLEYEA Staff Writer
The Middletown High School South girls basketball team begins its defense of the Shore Conference Class A North title on Friday at Middletown North. More important, the game marks the return to the line-up of Jillian Gannon.

The versatile senior has worked her way back after suffering a serious head injury on Jan. 12. Gannon was driving for a lay-up against a defender and both players went tumbling with Gannon going headfirst into the wall. She spent more than three weeks in the hospital, including several days in an induced coma.

Gannon's recovery has been remarkable. She returned to school at the end of February and slowly worked her way back, amazing everyone with her ability to persevere- and earned a spot in the starting lineup.

"What she has done is just so impressive," coach Tom Brennan said. "It's really a miracle. Jillian is an amazing person; she never let it get her down and her goal was to get back as quickly as possible. And she has."

In some ways Gannon's injury and story overshadowed the Eagles season and it looms large this season as well.

"That's okay, we're just glad to have her back," Brennan said. "Her injury changed our focus and the way we approach life. Jillian handled it well and so did the rest of the girls. They had to learn to be resilient."

Last season Middletown South went 20- 4, including a perfect 12-0 mark in A North play. The Eagles also reached the semifinals of the North Jersey Group II tourney, where they lost to Voorhees. Eight players from that team graduated in June.

Gannon, one of three seniors on this year's team, averaged seven points before her injury. She's also a strong defensive player and a threat from beyond the threepoint line. Shawna Hagen, a 6-foot center, gives the Eagles a presence under the hoop where she averaged seven points and seven rebounds. Vanessa Ward, a 5-foot-9 forward, with a good outside shot rounds out the senior contingent.

Junior Danielle Pankey, who averaged 10 points and pulled down five caroms, gives the Eagles another three-point threat. Taylor McFarland, a 5-foot-7 junior, will play the point.

"A lot of people look at us and think it's a rebuilding year because so many players graduated from last year," Brennan said. "I don't look at it that way. We have three talented seniors and a couple of experienced juniors, and our underclassmen will contribute. With experienced players in front of them, our younger girls have an opportunity to observe and learn."

Following the opener, Middletown South will host division rivals Manalapan on Tuesday and Freehold Township on Thursday. The Eagles will compete in the Brick Memorial Girls Tournament during the holiday break.