Freehold Twp. frosh win Hawk basketball tourney F
The Pats defeated Mater Dei, 51-47, in the final, ending their season with 11 straight wins and an overall 16-6 mark.
Freehold Township fell into a hole early in the game as Mater Dei leaped out to a 13-0 lead. The Pats settled down in the second quarter and drew within five, 30-25, at intermission.
In the second half, Freehold Township picked up the defensive intensity and outscored Mater Dei 13-4 to take a 38-34 lead into the final quarter.
Clinging to a one-point lead with just over a minute to play, the Pats went into their figure eight spread, and it produced an easy lay-up for Craig Williams that pushed the lead back up to three.
A steal by Todd Gorski on the Seraphs’ possession, following a Williams’ hoop, put the Pats in control.
Township iced the game from the foul line in the final minute, and Gorski, Eric Ingstrom and co-captain Joe Santopietro converted five of six free throws.
Co-captain Chris Murphy, who was the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, led the Pats with 17 points and nine rebounds. He led the team in scoring during the three-game tournament with 36 points.
Kyle Smith and Williams also were selected to the All-Tournament Team along with Murphy. Smith totaled 24 points and Williams netted 22 during the tournament.
Williams came up big in Freehold Township’s 45-43 quarterfinal win over Holmdel.
Gorski tallied 23 points in the tourney, third best on the team.
Rounding out the championship team were: John Raisley (22 points), Joe Dyer, Josh Lilt, Jim Blenderman, Lou Casaceli, Dave Lorber, Rob Novielli, Dominick Rinelli and Joe Sivilli.
The Pats were coached by John DeVincenzo.
— Tim Morris