LINCROFT – Since an upset overtime loss to Ridge Road rival Red Bank Regional a few weeks ago, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional’s boys basketball team (20-4) has been on a roll and kept the momentum going with a 54-43 win over Freehold Township Sunday in a Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinal game at Brookdale.
It was the 10th straight win for the Bulldogs and avenged an overtime loss to the Patriots early in the season.
Junior Brendan Barry was once again Rumson’s scoring leader with 19 points, but it was the play of 6-5 freshman reserve Elijah McCallister that was a big factor in the win.
It was McCallister’s rebounding and defense that was the story as he came off the bench to grab eight rebounds and block five shots.
“Elijah said he didn’t feel that well before the game,” said Rumson coach Chris Champeau, “but he stepped up today.
“He creates problems for the other teams in the middle. We didn’t have that before and he gives us more depth.
“We played real good defense today,” said Champeau. “With McCallister in the middle, we can play defense further out.”
Rumson led most of the game and opened up a 23-14 lead late in the second quarter before Freehold Township made a brief run early in the third quarter when two free throws and a drive by Mike Stalinski narrowed the gap to 26-24.
Rumson’s Thomas Famulary came back with a jumper and, after Dan Saunders made a free throw, Rumson scored 10 points in a row on two foul shots by Alex Geiger, a basket and three-point play by Famulary and a three-pointer by Barry to increase the lead to 35-24.
Rumson had its biggest lead a 48-32 late in the game, and the Patriots never got close than nine the remainder of the contest.
“We played real good defense today” said Champeau. “We are winning with it.
Barry has been getting more help now. We are winning even when he doesn’t score.”
“It’s awesome that the other guys are playing well and helping me,” said Barry. “I had my worse game of the season in my last game (a 50-42 win over Red Bank) but my teammates picked me up.”
Rumson, which went the SC final in 2011, played Neptune Wednesday in a semifinal game.
— By Jim Hintelmann
