in holiday tourneys
Local teams play to mixed results
in holiday tourneys
BY PAUL SALUS
Staff Writer
PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY Above Reggie’s Hedrex soars above the Lakewood defense, while at left, Anthony Buntin takes the shot during the Falcons’ loss to Lakewood during Saturday’s Holiday Jubilee action in Neptune.
In athletics, there are times when positive things can come from negative results.
Any number of high school basketball programs in the state would view competing with Christian Brothers Academy and avoiding a blowout to be an accomplishment.
After the Ocean Township boys basketball team went into the half trailing by only four against an overpowering CBA squad, and went the distance, losing by a free-throw inflated 12 points, spirits were high in the locker room.
Unfortunately for Ocean and head coach Jeff Reisler, their season-opening loss to CBA was just a prelude of things to come. They proceeded to lose their next two, and have been unable to put points on the board.
"We have a very young team, and we have been having some trouble getting things done on the offensive end," Reisler said. "Hopefully, as the season progresses, and some of our guys get their feet wet, we will improve on that end of the court."
With two sophomores in the starting lineup, John Scott and Chris Cooper, and little experience coming off the bench, Reisler has his hands full in a division that is loaded with talent.
"Of course, we hope to improve as the season goes on," he said. "I have a great group of kids here, and they really work hard day in and day out. If we continue to play our tough defense, and try to limit mistakes on the court, I think things will only get better."
Guard Bill Boggins has also had a rough start to the season. The three-point marksman, who nailed more than 40 threes last season, has only one in the first three games.
Host RBR to play
for Buc Classic title
The Red Bank Regional boys basketball team has looked good early on, and was poised to capture a Buc Classic title on Monday, when they took on Monsignor Donovan.
The Bucs advanced to the finals with an impressive 76-61 win over Brick Memorial in the semifinals on Saturday behind Keyron Sheard’s 18 points, seven assists and five steals, and Corey Haskins’ 17 points and six assists. With the win, RBR improved to 2-1 on the young season and earned the trip to the tournament finals, where Monsignor Donovan High School, a 49-48 semifinal winner over Long Branch, awaited.
The Green Wave had a late lead over the Griffins, but was unable to hold on as Randall Stallworth’s clutch free-throw shooting put Mon Don on top in the final minute. Long Branch, which fell to 2-1, was led by senior forward Tunell Polk (18 points and nine rebounds) and Jerrod Langley (12 points, 12 rebounds).
The Shore Regional boys also played for a tournament championship on Monday in the South Amboy Tournament. The Blue Devils knocked off the host Governors on Saturday, 68-45, with senior forward Phil Hershkowitz leading the way with 23 points.
The win improved the Blue Devils to 3-0 and earned them a shot at the tourney title against Spotswood on Monday night.
The Monmouth Regional Falcons entered the Neptune Holiday Jubilee knowing it would take an exceptional effort to capture the title. On Saturday, they played well but fell short against a young but extremely talented Lakewood team, 56-50, in the quarterfinals.
The Falcons fell to 0-2 with the loss, but can take some positives from the effort. Despite some poor shooting, the Falcons managed to stay close to the Piners, led by Anthony Burtin’s 18 points and Reggie Hendrix’s 12.
The Rumson-Fair Haven boys also lost a tough one in the Bayshore Holiday Tournament, falling to Middletown South, 52-46, in the semifinals on Saturday. Jason Miller (14 points) and Mike Rafi (12 points) led the way for the Bulldogs, who fell to 2-2 on the young season, while South went on to play host St. John Vianney in the final on Monday.
Rumson girls excel
in WOBM Classic
The Rumson-Fair Haven girls entered the season expecting to remain one of the top teams in the Shore Conference, and early indications are that they will be just that.
The Lady Bulldogs knocked off Monsignor Donovan on Sunday, 52-26, to advance to yesterday’s finals of the WOBM Classic at the Ritacco Center in Dover Township. Gately Golden scored 11 of her 13 points in the first quarter as the Bulldogs (4-0) rolled to a victory over the Griffins. Caitlin Hyduke had a game-high 16 points for Rumson, while Carly Golden added nine.
The top-ranked Red Bank Catholic Caseys didn’t fare as well in the Avon Cup Division semifinal (in Wilmington, Del.), falling to Prairie View, 72-62, in overtime. The Caseys used a furious fourth-quarter, when they outscored their opponent 21-14, to force the overtime, but ran out of steam after that, getting outscored 18-8 in the extra session. Heather Westrol led the way for RBC with 14 points, while Casey Grier added 13, Lisa Kuchinksi 11 and Ali D’Amico 10.
A trio of local teams entered Monday’s semifinal action at the Bayshore Holiday Festival. Monmouth Regional and Red Bank Regional were set to face off in one semifinal, while Shore Regional took on Middletown North in the other final.