CBA basketball survives Rumson fourth-quarter comeback in Buc Holiday Classic
LITTLE SILVER – What seemed like an insurmountable lead after three quarters suddenly became a wakeup call for the Christian Brothers Academy basketball team.
Up 13 points with one quarter to go, the Colts were on cruise control until Rumson-Fair Haven went to a press.
That double-digit lead shrunk to as little as four points in the fourth quarter before CBA made just enough plays to hold off Rumson-Fair Haven 52-48 in a semifinal game of the Albert E. Martin Buc Holiday Classic on Tuesday night.
“We just had to keep on going,” said CBA’s Will Bradley, who tallied 17 of his game-high 26 points in the second half. “They were pressing and we couldn’t hold the ball. So, we had to make our layups and our shots because they had that big run in the fourth quarter. We had to keep on attacking and take smart shots.”
Rumson’s Owen Sullivan made two free throws with 2:37 left, which cut CBA’s lead to 47-43.
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Then CBA’s Bradley took over the spotlight.
With two minutes left, Bradley nailed a corner jumper for a 49-43 lead. After Rumson-Fair Haven (3-1) had a turnover with 1:39 left, Bradley lured the defense to him before he drove to the basket and made a reverse layup with 1:10 left for a 51-43 lead.
“We actually scrimmaged them in the beginning of the preseason,” Bradley said. “But that was a whole new level in that fourth quarter.”
Rumson’s Gyimsei made two free throws with 42.4 seconds left cutting the deficit to 51-45 and CBA’s Joe White made the first of two free throws with 5.9 seconds left make it 52-45. Gyimesi nailed a 3-pointer at the buzzer for the final score.
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“I just figured at that stage of the game, they were pretty good in the half court. I had Scott Gyimesi and Owen Sullivan with three fouls so I was a little shyer on defense than I normally am,” Rumson-Fair Haven coach Chris Champeau said. “But then I figured what the heck. We were struggling to get the offense going so I decided to go back to the press and that was what got us some shots in transition.”
CBA’s Bradley was the difference, though. He made a game-high five three-pointers, with three of them coming during a pivotal third quarter run for the Colts (4-0). Peter Noble also had success from downtown with three three-pointers and 11 points overall. James Durney came off the bench and scored five of his seven points in the second quarter and Pat Lautao had four of his six points during the third quarter.
Rumson-Fair Haven’s Trent Sloan finished with 11 of his game-high 15 points in the fourth quarter while Gyimesi avoided foul trouble in the second half and scored seven of his 13 points in the fourth quarter. Cal Famula added seven of his nine points in the first half and Sullivan added four of his eight points in the fourth quarter.
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In other Albert E. Martin Buc Holiday Classic games:
Ranney School 56, Middletown North 36: Isaac Hester powered the Panthers (3-0) past the Lions (1-2) as he scored 10 of his game-high 27 points in the fourth quarter. Brandon Klatsky scored all 13 of his points in the first half and Charles Anyichie and Andrew Buck each contributed six points. Middletown North's Matt Kenny provided 11 of his team-high 15 points in the third quarter while Zac Seawright added five of his eight points in the first half.
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Lacey 60, Red Bank 55: Troy Buxton erupted for a season-high 26 points and also had six rebounds as the Lions (2-3) upended the Bucs (1-4) in a consolation game. Chris Venturoso added 16 points and six rebounds and Dylan Hall registered a double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds). Red Bank’s Nick Valentino finished with a team-high 25 points while Collin Teter added 13 points and Brian Tobin had six points.
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Long Branch 46, Sayreville 45: Devin Jones made a buzzer-beating reverse layup and lifted the Green Wave (1-4) past the Bombers (0-3) in a consolation game.
At the Boardwalk Basketball Classic
Barnegat 61, Cumberland Regional 22: Jamari Smith tallied a career-high 15 points on the strength of three 3-pointers and JoJo Bivins added 13 points as the Bengals (2-3) overwhelmed Cumberland (0-5) in a Bill Osborn Memorial Bracket Consolation Game. Barnegat's Mason Krey also added nine points as the Bengals jumped out to a 30-11 halftime lead.
At the Husky Holiday Classic
Union 72, Holmdel 64: Nick Seeloch poured in a game-high 26 points for the Hornets (2-2) and Ben Kipnis added 19 points during the semifinal game loss to Union (2-0). Also, Evan Romano added 13 points and James Vallillo had six points.
Seton Hall Prep 66, Manalapan 45: Anthony Conforth contributed 13 points and Gabe Blackwell added 11 points for the Braves (1-3) in the semifinal game loss to the Pirates (3-1).
Old Bridge 78, Matawan 44: Kyle Halliburton generated 10 points and Dennis Buonagura added eight points as the Huskies (0-4) fell in a consolation game to the Knights (2-3).
At the Score at the Shore
Lenape 57, Howell 38: Joe Dupuis's 10 points and nine rebounds fueled the Rebels' (3-1) offense against the Indians (4-0) in the semifinal game. Damien Padilla added seven points and Zach Emery had six points.
Holy Spirit 65, Southern 57: Nick Devane's 15 points and Jaden Anthony's 14 points guided the Rams (2-2) against the Spartans (2-1).
Sherlon Christie is a sports reporter at the Asbury Park Press and has covered sports at the Jersey Shore since 2004. Don't miss any of his coverage by subscribing at https://subscribe.app.com/. You can contact him via e-mail at schristie@gannettnj.com, on Twitter at https://twitter.com/sherlonapp, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/sherlonapp and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/sherlon_christie
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore NJ basketball: CBA halts Rumson comeback at Buc Holiday Classic
