I didn’t get a chance to take in any of the opening night action thanks to a corporate function that had me down at our home base in Maryland on Friday night and earlier today, but it did not disappoint as far as the usual wild scores from opening night of the basketball season. Here’s some quick observations and stuff I may have overlooked in the preview.
BOYS
Obviously, the big game was Freehold taking down No. 2 Neptune, which is now in an 0-2 hole in the span of two days after losing 80-76 in overtime to Scotch Plains at The Hoop Group Tip-Off Classic at Seton Hall University on Saturday afternoon. Freehold took its lumps with a young team last year, but returned a bunch of players. It was the usual suspects from the football team who made big plays, as senior forward Brandon Carter, better known as one of the Shore’s top linemen but also looking like one of the top pivot presences in the conference on the hardwood, had a strong game. The player who hit the game-winning 3-pointer, junior Brandon Brown, exploded on to the scene during football as one of the best athletes in the Shore.
It’s not time to panic for Neptune, considering the two losses were by a combined five points, one in the final seconds and the other in overtime. This team looks like it will need a little time to mesh, but will be dangerous in the end as always. As for Freehold, the Colonials won’t be sneaking up on anyone from here on out, but it looks like they have the talent to handle their new status.
I talked to Central coach Mike Clemente in the preseason and he said that the talent was there, but his team hadn’t played in any big games yet. Well, consider that changed, as they took down No. 4 Monsignor Donovan for a huge early-season win in the race for the Class B South title. (I know there are those public and parochial titles, but I mean in the race for the real title).
Manasquan sent a message in Class A Central with a 16-point win over a Red Bank Catholic team expected to contend for the division title as well. Also in A Central, congrats to new Rumson-Fair Haven head coach James Young, who got his first career win in the Bulldogs’ first game of the season as they knocked off St. John Vianney. Another big game in Class A Central was Red Bank’s three-point win over Holmdel. That’s the second straight year that the Hornets have dropped a heartbreaker to the Bucs in the season opener, but it shows that this division is deep. Yet another solid Class A Central team is Raritan, which opened some eyes with a nondivisional win over Long Branch.
Toms River South edged Toms River North to take an early lead in the Class A South race, which should be an absolute dogfight. I don’t think there is much separating all the teams in that division, but North looked like a possible favorite, so good win for the Indians.
GIRLS
The No. 1 squad, Rumson-Fair Haven, fell to St. John Vianney, and I see the reports of a talented freshman class coming into Lancers-land were true as four of them helped contribute to a victory. That’s a great confidence-builder for the Lancers after starting slowly last year and having everyone pile on them before regrouping for a nice run in the Shore Conference Tournament. As for Rumson, the Bulldogs will be back and when they have their full lineup, they’ll be tough as always.
The other big win was Raritan’s three-point nondivisional victory over Howell in what was a glorified foul-shooting contest in which junior Alexa Ryan led the way with 17 points. Great win for the Rockets, who showed that Class A Central should be a monster this year with the capability to have five teams and maybe more ranked in the top 10. Holmdel opened with a big win over Red Bank, and the Hornets look like another team to be reckoned with in the division. Sophomore Alex Diekmann, the star goalie of the field hockey team, had 22 points.
St. Rose made a big statement in Class B Central with a 13-point win over Shore, which looks like the Purple Roses closest pursuer for the division title.
Another big story was the return of Middletown South’s Jill Gannon, and you can check out Bob Badders’ story and highlights of her comeback from a frightening skull injury last year. Good to see her back, and very productive as well, as she stuffed the stat sheet last night. I also think I blew it by not putting Shawna Hagen, South’s center, as one of the “On the rise” players in my preview. She looks like she could be one of the better post players in the Shore. I might have to retroactively add her in there.
The eye-opener of Saturday was Colts Neck’s detonation of Woodrow Wilson, a 50-point win over one of the usual powers in the state. With some height underneath now, the Cougars clearly have the offensive firepower to win the Shore Conference Tournament this year. They are the No. 2 seed in the WOBM Classic and could run into No. 1 Rumson in the final for the second straight year, so we may get a great barometer before the New Year.
Also, congrats to Jackson Liberty, which picked up its first varsity win in school history with a 50-39 win over Pinelands.
E-mail: [email protected].
Processing your request, Please wait....
