It’s at practice, away from the public eye, where Freehold Township’s boys basketball team has laid the foundation of its continued success.
Senior Matt Devine remembers his underclass days.
“We were going up against Eddie [Fischer], Marcus [Roberson] and T.J. [LaFalce],” he recalled. “It wasn’t easy. They were our role models.”
Devine and his teammates were pushed hard in every practice from a group that demanded nothing less. Now, it is Devine and his fellow seniors — Steve Talbott, Tyler Mckinnon, Alex Becker and Ken Woodson — who are doing the pushing of the underclassmen in practice.
“Our jayvee is a great team, they go hard in practice,” said Devine. “Everyone pushes each other.”
The goal for the seniors is for them to benefit as Devine and company have from those intense practices, and be ready when their time to shine arrives.
Despite another huge turnover to graduation, the Patriots have remained the team to beat in the Shore Conference A North Division. With the second half of the division schedule beginning this week, the Patriots are positioned to win a sixth straight division title despite back-to-back losses last week. At the turn, Freehold Township is in a three-way tie for first place with a 5-2 mark. The Pats’ first loss in the division was Jan. 13 to nonpublic school member Christian Brothers Academy. Middletown South used a 40-18 halftime lead to surprise the Pats at home on Friday night. Overall, the Pats are 7-3.
“We’re playing as a team and we’re playing hard,” Devine said.
Devine and Talbott have been a lethal force having 20+ and even 30+ scoring nights this year.
“It all starts with our guards [McKinnon and Becker],” he said. “We’ve been playing together for three years, we trust them and they make it easy for me and Steve.”
Devine, who was more of a role player last winter putting up 3-pointers, has become a more complete player.
“I’ve worked on getting to the basket stronger and finishing,” he pointed out.
With his three-point touch still there, the 6-3 Devine is a difficult match-up for opposing teams.
CBA, because of its length inside, was the first team that gave the Patriots trouble in the paint leading to the Colts 64-45 win in Lincroft. This was a six-point game at the half (27-21 Colts) before CBA got hot with the three in the third quarter and
broke it open. Pat Light and Matt McMullen controlled the glass for the Colts. With the Pats down by doublefigures, it became a foul-shooting contest for the Colts, and Adam Spengler and Light converted their opportunities preventing a Patriot comeback. Ray Mabrey led the Colts with 15. Light chipped in with 14, Brian Neller added 12 and
Spengler, 11.
Devine led all scorers with 17.
Talbott scored 20 in Friday night’s loss at home to the Eagles.
Like all coaches, Brian Golub admits that despite the team’s 7-3 record, he’s not satisfied.
“We still have a lot of growing to do in a lot of areas,” he said after the CBA loss. “We need to play hard against everyone like we did tonight.
“We’re not walking through the division,” he added. “Every night is a battle.”
So how have the Patriots maintained their edge?
“This group knows how to win,” he
said. “They are a good group of kids and we’ve gotten good play off the bench.” Devine credits Golub and his coaching staff with keeping the Patriots focused. The Pats have now reached the point where they are the hunted. They get everyone’s best shot, and to their credit are prepared to win each night. “Our coaches are great getting us ready in practices,” said Devine. “Before every game, the five seniors sit together and go over what we need to do.”
Upcoming A North games for Freehold Township are at Howell on Friday night (5:30 p.m.), and, what will be a huge game, on Tuesday when the Pats host Colts Neck (6:30 p.m.) in a game that will have a big impact on the A North standings.