By: Redd E. Patrick
The Monroe High School boys’ basketball team must win at least two of its next five games in order to qualify for the NJSIAA State Tournament. During the first half of the season, that wouldn’t seem to be a problem, but the Falcons have hit a snag that has put that goal in question.
Following a 46-37 loss to Carteret on Tuesday a team Monroe beat earlier this season by nine the Falcons fell to 7-6. They have to be .500 or better by Feb. 5 to make the tourney.
After a 6-1 start, the team has lost five of six.
"We’ve had so many ups and downs," said 6-5 junior A.J. Rudowitz, who is averaging 16.3 points, 11.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. ""We started out so strong, but then our defense broke down, we stopped running our offense and we’ve been letting down as a team.’
Monroe took a 6-1 mark into its showdown with South Plainfield two weeks ago, a team ranked among the state’s top 20 in more than one publication.
Monroe wasn’t expected to win that game, but a 58-31 thrashing appears to have put the team in a tailspin.
"I think we got down on ourselves after South Plainfield because we got blown out," Rudowitz said.
Following South Plainfield were losses to Woodbridge, Bishop and Colonia. With the exception of Colonia, a 77-49 loss, the Falcons still played solid defense, but the offensive production was suffering.
Monroe was able to snap a four-game slide with a 35-31 victory at Colts Neck on Friday. Rudowitz led the way with 17 points and 17 rebounds. But the following game produced another loss, against Carteret. Rudowitz scored 15 and Kyle Sorensen had seven. The Falcons played the last two games without starting point guard Tommy Sorensen, who was out sick.
"We thought we were back on track after Colts Neck," Rudowitz said. "But then we had a bad loss to Carteret. It’s hard to figure out."
A year ago, Rudowitz averaged 21.7 points per game, but the Falcons won just two games. This season, his average is down, but the team was winning and he worked on other parts of his game.
"Scoring doesn’t matter to me," Rudowitz said. "Plus, we have other guys who can score now (Scott Basarab is averaging 10 ppg.). Plus, I was able to increase my rebounds and assists. But right now, everyone is having a tough time scoring, including myself, and it’s been frustrating."
The Falcons were scheduled to play at North Brunswick on Thursday and will host New Brunswick on Saturday. Monroe beat North by 14 earlier, while the meeting with New Brunswick will be the first of two.
"We still have time to turn it around and play like we were at the beginning," Rudowitz said. "We had a real good practice today (Wednesday), so hopefully we can get our confidence back."

