Lucy Thomas is one of the best kept secrets in New Jersey Basketball.
Thomas may not be the flashiest player that dominates your highlight reels, but like Tim Duncan, she is super efficient. When the going gets tough for St. Rose, they go to Thomas and more often than not, she delivers.
It’s no surprise that Thomas was selected as one of the finalist for New Jersey Player of the Year. The Quiet Storm also signed with Monmouth University to continue to collegiate career.
Recently we sat down with Thomas to discuss playing for St. Rose, why she signed with Monmouth University, why she should be the State Player of the Year and more. - Christian Mordi @thedribbledrop
TheDribbleDrop: This spring you played AAU basketball for the Central Jersey Hawks. How was that experience?
Lucy Thomas: I liked it a lot. It was a couple girls from St. Rose that played on the team as well, which made me very comfortable.
TheDribbleDrop: You have a ton of talent and could’ve played at any high school you wanted. Your first year you played at Ocean, but decided to transfer before your sophomore year. Why did you choose St. Rose?
Lucy Thomas: They seemed like they had a family-oriented type of feel to the school. It’s a smaller school in comparison to Ocean, but I liked that. They are well known for having a great basketball environment as well.
TheDribbleDrop: You first couple of years you played for Joe Whalen. Tell me about that experience.
Lucy Thomas: When I first came here the head coach was Joe Whalen. Practices were very hard. It was very structured and he made the practices like college practices. Lots of running and drill after drill. I thought that really prepared me for what I am going to see at the next level. Our new coach Janine Roth runs practices with the assistant coach Chris Carter. They are both great.
TheDribbleDrop: How would you describe St. Rose basketball?
Lucy Thomas: One word to describe Saint Rose basketball team is unitive. We work off each other, push each other everyday, and lift each other up when we are down. We are unitive because we work as a unit in order to win and everybody has to provide their energy and effort to succeed. I️ like to think of our team as a huge family, always encouraging each other to succeed and do our best.
TheDribbleDrop: If you were to highlight one facet of your team that makes you guys stand out, what would it be and why?
Lucy Thomas: Defense. Our coach always tells us that defense is about the heart. That’s what it takes to win. We know we have to bring it every game. We take pride in stopping another teams best player offensively.
TheDribbleDrop: You have been apart of some amazing games at St. Rose. Tell me the top 3 games you were apart of in your career thus far?
Lucy Thomas: The Shore Conference final against St. John Vianney last year was amazing. The Long Island Lutheran game this year was a great one. It went to triple overtime. Very exciting. Last year we had a game against one of the top teams in Ohio. It was a great experience. Packed house. Lots of fun.
TheDribbleDrop: Tell me one facet of your game your worked hard to improve on this off-season that you wanted to take to another level.
Lucy Thomas: I️ believe that my one aspect I️ have improved on over the off season is ball handling. I️ felt this was a necessary aspect to add to my game because it will allow me to stay calm under pressure and perform the best I️ can. By being able to dribble I️ can relieve pressure off my teammates as well.
TheDribbleDrop: Right now you are one of the top ten players for the “Player of the Year” list. If this was an interview with the board and you were pitching yourself, tell me what you would say to pitch yourself.
Lucy Thomas: I️ am not one to brag, but I️ believe that I️ am a strong and confident player. I️ try to lead my team with positivity and enthusiasm. I️ am a strong post player and feel I️ finish around the rim with ease. In addition, I️ try to be the first to hustle to every rebound and box out. My success not only revolves around my hard work I️ have put into my game, but my amazing teammates I️ am blessed to play with day in and out.
TheDribbleDrop: You committed to Monmouth. Tell me the deciding factors to you committing there to continue your basketball career.
Lucy Thomas: I went on an unofficial visit. I got a tour of the campus and I loved the campus. It’s also to home, which was important to me as I want my family to come out and see me play. B I talked to the coaches before and they all seemed like great coaches. I got to meet some of the girls on the team as well. They were very nice.
TheDribbleDrop: What’s your personal and team goal for your senior year.
Lucy Thomas: A personal goal would be to win NJ Player of the Year. A team goal would be to win a state championship.