Former Manasquan High School star Faith Masonius will return home to finish her women's college basketball career after leading Maryland to two Big Ten championships.
Masonius will take advantage of his final year of eligibility playing at Seton Hall University under head coach Anthony Bozella.
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“It's definitely exciting,” Masonius said Wednesday. “I've lived in Jersey all my life and played high school basketball, grammar school basketball, so I'm very excited to come full circle and have a moment to come back and represent the state of New Jersey.”
She entered the transfer portal after spending five seasons at the University of Maryland. After she had an “adult conversation” with UMD head coach Brenda Frese, Masonius said she and Frese agreed that learning a new system would help her reach her goal of one day becoming a head coach. Told.
“I think being in a new place, new people, new system, new program will help me play better and continue to earn money,” Masonius said. “I was at Maryland for a long time, and Coach Brenda used to say to me, 'Faith, you can give the pregame speech.'
Before attending the University of Maryland, Masonius was a four-star recruit and ranked No. 25 overall by Blue Star. She was the No. 10 overall wing by ESPN. She scored more than 2,000 points in her career at Manasquan and led her team to her third straight NJSIAA Group 2 title.
Masonius knows Seton Hall and its staff well.
Masonius said the first person to call her with questions about the portal was none other than Bozzella herself. The head coach for 11 years scouted Faith out of high school. During that time, Masonius said, she would hang out on campus and go to games.
She is also well acquainted with the Seton Hall staff, including former Neptune High School star Shekena Richardson. Richardson, now the director of basketball operations, had a similar homecoming season when she finished her college career at Seton Hall after playing at Rutgers and then Florida State University.
“We are very happy to add a player of Faith’s caliber and great leadership skills,” Bozzella said. “When recruiting, we always try to keep local talent in-country and, along with Faith, we're thrilled to have her play her part.” We spent time in her backyard. ”
“I love him as a person and as a basketball coach,” Masonius said. “He brings so much energy and passion to the game. It definitely brings motivation to be in a new place.”
Another clear motive for her transfer was to allow her family to watch her games. Masonius has nine other siblings. Her younger sister, Hope, recently won a state championship at Manasquan High School and plans to attend Bucknell University.
“I'm really excited that instead of three hours one way, three hours back, and six hours driving, it only takes one hour there and one hour back,” Masonius said. “My grandfather is 97 years old and the idea that he might be able to come to the game really excites him and it will be something he will treasure for the rest of his life.”
Why Masonius extended his university life
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Masonius was able to extend his college career longer than most players, actually playing in five different seasons.
She contracted the coronavirus after her sophomore year, when Maryland won its second straight conference title. Masonius missed the team's trip to the Bahamas, and she quarantined for 10 days. Two games after being cleared, she tore her anterior cruciate ligament, thus ending her junior season after playing nine games.
Her goals changed the following year.
“My only goal was to get up and down the court and not get hurt again. That was a success in my book,” said Masonius, a two-time captain at Maryland.
Masonius says he's ready to hit the road for New Jersey, but he's grateful for his time in Maryland.
“I’m very happy to have the opportunity to play at Maryland with Coach Frese,” Faith said. “I am happy with my experiences, the people I have met, and all the memories I have made, which I will definitely cherish for the rest of my life.”