MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP – Given a big break when 15th-seeded Holmdel upset favored Red Bank Regional in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III boys basketball tournament game, 10th-seeded Middletown North didn’t let the opportunity elude them.
Holmdel’s win over Red Bank gave Middletown North home court and that helped the Lions to a 39-34 quarter-final overtime win over the Hornets.
“We didn’t expect to see Holmdel here,” admitted North coach Mike Iasparo. “We certainly didn’t think we would be home for a second round game, but this was a big advantage for us. We always play well at home.”
Middletown North had rallied from a six-point deficit to tie the game at 32 on two free throws by Dylan Frawley with seven seconds left in regulation to force the overtime.
A three-pointer by Youncofski gave North a 35-34 lead early in overtime and Matt Cerbo hit the first of two free throws with 23 seconds to go for a two-point edge.
Cerbo missed his second attempt, but North’s Troy Thompson got the rebound and was fouled. He made both shots to clinch the win.
“It was just an attitide type of thing,” said Thompson. “You just have to go up and get it. I wanted that ball in my hands. I knew that those free throws were going in.
“We had a lot of confidence going into the game,” he said. “Holmdel and Red Bank had good teams, but I liked the idea of playing at home.”
Thanks to a pair of three-pointers by Luke Mayell, Holmdel got off to an 11-5 lead in the first quarter, but Youncofski hit two three-pointers and Frawley added a layup for a 13-11 North lead.
Following several lead changes, Holmdel moved out in front, 19-15, at halftime and three straight baskets by Mayell gave Holmdel its biggest lead of the game, 25-17, midway in the third quarter. It held the lead until North tied it at the end of regulation to force the overtime.
“The game plan was to defend Holmdel’s three point shooters,” said Iasparo. “We knew that they shoot the three very well. That is how they beat Red Bank.
“We tried to move up to the three-point line and pay a lot of attention the three-point shooters,” he said. “Fortunately, we were able to get out on them.”
— By Jim Hintelmann
