BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer
MIDDLETOWN — With a pair of very close victories, the Lakewood High School boys basketball team found itself two games away from capturing a Shore Conference (SC) championship.
The Piners knocked off Wall High School in the second round and then topped Freehold Township last Sunday in the quarterfinals to force a semifinal match-up with Christian Brothers Academy (CBA).
“I knew that we had a very athletic and talented club from the onset of the season,” Lakewood High School coach John Richardson said. “But they continue to amaze me with the high level of intensity. We’ve had a number of very tough games this season. We’re still a fairly young team, and I feel we’ve handled the pressure very well. It’s been extremely enjoyable so far.”
In the quarterfinal win against Freehold Township, Lakewood built a commanding 16-point lead in the second half, but needed clutch free-throw shooting late in the fourth quarter to seal a dramatic 56-55 win at Brookdale Community College.
In fact, Lakewood had trouble handling Freehold’s trapping defense and relinquished its lead with about three minutes remaining in the game.
Josh Johnson, however, converted a key three-point play down the stretch to forge Lakewood back into the lead. Johnson drove the lane, made the bucket and sank the ensuing free throw to put the Piners ahead for good.
“He has been a big contributor all season,” Richardson said. “He has stepped up his level of play. He made a big play for us down the stretch to help us come out ahead. We’ve been getting those kinds of efforts from different people all season. We’re a pretty well-balanced squad.”
The 6-foot-4 Johnson finished with a total of nine points. But it was his effort on the boards that has really made him a valuable player this season, Richardson said.
“His rebounding has been impressive,” Richardson said. “He goes to the glass very strong. He’s not afraid to get in there and mix it up. As a team we’ve rebounded pretty well.”
Following Johnson’s three-point play conversion, guards Jerry Jones and Mikey Gunter each sank a pair of free throws to keep Lakewood ahead.
“At the end of a game, you need to knock down those foul shots,” Richardson said. “We were fortunate enough to get excellent free-throw shooting in the closing minutes. It made a huge difference.”
Lakewood darted to a 16-11 lead after the first quarter. The Piners stretched it to 30-22 at the half.
After building a 16-point lead early in the third quarter, Freehold Township came roaring back with an 18-2 tear that bridged the third and fourth quarters to tie the game at 42 with seven minutes left in the fourth.
“We let down a little bit,” Richardson said. “But I have to credit Freehold Township for making a run. I knew that they were going to come back.”
Chris Smith contributed 14 points, while Jones added 13. Robert Proctor and Mark Robertson had eight apiece.
In a 60-54 triumph over Wall, Jones paced the Piners with 20 points. Smith chipped in with 12 points, while Proctor added nine.
“We know the game against CBA is going to be a very challenging one,” Richardson said. “But we’re feeling up to it. We’re going to go out and play our game.”