The Holmdel High School boys’ basketball team was in a tight matchup with Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School on Feb. 7.
Down by four in the final minute of the third quarter to the feisty Bulldogs, who were looking to pull off the upset, Holmdel got back to be playing Holmdel basketball to avoid the upset in the Shore Conference A-Central Division game in Rumson.
The Hornets outscored Rumson-Fair Haven, 18-0, to finish out the contest for a 54-40 victory and improve to 15-3 on the season.
“I’m really glad with how we responded in the second half and very proud of our kids,” said Holmdel coach Sean Devaney whose team trailed, 26-9, at the half. “I don’t think our guys ever feel out of a game. They always know that we can get stops and get back in it.”
Senior Jack Giamanco started the Holmdel comeback, banging home two straight three-pointers in the final minute of the third quarter to put the Hornets up, 42-40, going into the fourth period.
Giamanco finished with a team-high 14 points in the contest.
Teammate Doug Chan had a big second half for the Hornets, scoring all 11 of his points to help Holmdel earn the comeback victory.
Junior Alex Baker knocked in eight points in the paint for Holmdel.
The Hornets are 10-1 in their last 11 games.
Senior Jack Carroll produced a game-high 18 points for Rumson-Fair Haven. Sophomore Geoffrey Schroeder recorded 10 points in the loss for the Bulldogs, who dropped to 11-8 on the season.
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