Caseys avenge earlier loss to Ocean Township
Schmeltz leads with
18 points
CHRIS KELLY Red Bank Catholic’s Jarius Kendle gets fouled by a pair of Ocean players during the Caseys’ win in Red Bank on Feb. 7.
With the state tournament around the corner, now is the portion of the season when teams need to be playing their best basketball.
And what better way to demonstrate improvement than to beat a team that has already beaten you earlier in the season.
The Red Bank Catholic’s boys’ basketball team must be an improved squad as evidenced by their 49-39 win over Ocean last Thursday.
RBC avenged an earlier loss at the hands of the Spartans, controlling the flow of the game in the first half and scoring when necessary in the second.
"Ocean has been in every single game they’ve played, and definitely came to play tonight," said RBC head coach Mike Feerst.
"We’re not a real big team, the average height is 6 foot, so games are tough for us. But I think we’re coming around, starting to believe in our shots more and winning the games we need to.
"The first time we played Ocean they did a great job taking us out of our offense," said Feerst. "This time it was our turn. I think we controlled the boards better and kept to our game plan."
Red Bank won the opening tip-off, and ran the first quarter for a 16-7 advantage. Senior Jarius Kendle was rewarded for his driving efforts to the hoop, scoring two from the floor and three foul shots.
The Caseys took control early, closing out the first quarter on an 11-3 run.
Ocean’s defense kept the Caseys to the perimeter in the second quarter, forcing the host team to find their outside shot. RBC did just that, draining three trifectas, maintaining its lead at the end of the half.
Keeping RBC on top was Tyler Schmeltz, Scott Kelly and Kyle Szatkowski. The trio’s efforts only allowed Ocean to claim an 11-9 edge in the second quarter.
RBC returned after the halftime break ready to play, keeping Ocean to only one basket from the field and three from the foul line.
A trey by Kendle, and two foul shots and baskets by Schmeltz, Szatkowski and Kelly allowed the Caseys to control the third, 10-5.
Ten points was as close as Ocean would come to its hosts in the fourth quarter with RBC doing what was necessary to hold onto the win.
Leading the Caseys was Schmeltz with 18 points, followed by Kendle with 15; Szatkowski, seven; Kelly, six; and Andrew Waters, three.
The win improves the Caseys to a 10-9 slate.