Mandala's motor fuels Cedar Grove forward

There's something about Ava Mandala that makes one of the shortest Cedar Grove Panthers stand so tall. Despite Mandala's short height, her performances in big games have this upcoming senior poised to create even more big moments for the Panthers. 

In the winter, Mandala averaged 3.4 points per game on the basketball court, but her biggest contributions came when she wasn't taking a shot. Mandala led the Panthers this past season with 100 assists, finding teammates Elyse Fearon, Alyssa Lever and Daniella Cordasco. Mandala also was a big part of defensive pressure, forcing erratic passes for turnovers and using her speed to provide the Panthers with solid play in transition.

Mandala was a valuable junior who helped Cedar Grove to a 17-10 overall record, a 12-seed in the county tournament, a top seed in the North 1, Group 1 sectional, a holiday tournament title and the program's first-ever appearance in a state sectional final.

"She's a different kind of player," said Cedar Grove girls basketball coach Bill Scanlon.

As Fearon, Lever and Cordasco all have graduated, Mandala embodies the gritty nature that will be common on the court in the winter. Mandala has made it a habit to use her speed to get to the basket and her physicality to fight through contact.

"We're smaller than we were last year," said Scanlon. "But our girls are going to show up and work hard."

In the spring, Mandala continued to show that toughness as it translated to the softball field. Mandala played left field and led off for a Panther team that won 23 games, reached the county semifinals, became Group 1 champions and reached the semifinals of the first-ever softball Tournament of Champions. Mandala found a way on base for Cedar Grove, but also had the ability to find the gaps and get extra base hits in big spots. 

Mandala led off the third inning of the North 1, Group 1 sectional final with a triple and would later score the first run of the game in a 2-1 victory. Mandala also led off the top of the first in the Group 1 final against Metuchen with a double off the left field wall. She would score one of two runs later that inning as Cedar Grove was on its way to a 4-0 group championship.

The toughness was always on display for Mandala, even when she was unable to make a play. Facing St. John Vianney at the LaRezza Invitational in April, Mandala chased down a fly ball off the bat of Lindsey Baron. Mandala would collide with the temporary fence before reaching Baron's ball, resulting in a three-run home run. The ball was out of reach, but Mandala sprinted right into the fence, determined to make a play.

Mandala will be without Cordasco or Rianna Marinelli, both of whom have graduated and both of whom had grown comfortable hitting  at the top of the Panther lineup. Now, Mandala's leadership through her play will likely evolve as it now becomes her time to emerge for big seasons in both sports.

"In previous years, she would defer to the older girls," said Scanlon. "I get the feeling that as a senior now, Ava is going to show her leadership."