RUMSON – Sometimes the game plan comes together just like it’s drawn up. Rumson-Fair Haven coach Chris Champeau drew it up and junior Luke Cruz brought it home with a dominant performance at both ends of the court and the Bulldogs rode an early run and an aggressive pressure defense throughout to a 69-50 win over Middletown North in a Shore Conference Tournament Round of 16 game.
The win advances the sixth-seeded Bulldogs to Saturday’s quarterfinals, where they’ll face No. 3 Red Bank Regional.
“We like to get out to an early start, hit a few threes and speed the game up a little. We’re tough when we’re in transition” Bulldogs’ coach Chris Champeau said. “We like to run and the pressure gets us loose and our defense can be our best offense.”
Rumson-Fair Haven boys basketball runs to early lead against Middletown North
The plan came together early as the Bulldogs jumped out to an 11-0 lead with Cruz netting six of his game-high 20 points to kickstart the run. Cruz also brought down 14 rebounds and blocked seven shots on the night.
“We were working really well together, we ran hard and we were moving the ball really well,” Curz said. “We just want to win one game at a time now and we think we can play with any team around.”
Middletown North - led by Eddie Lopez, Braden Marcotte, Colin Byrne - made a run back
After the early RFH burst, Middletown North (16-7) managed to cut the lead to 13-8 but never got closer. Middletown North junior Eddie Lopez led the way for the Lions with 16 points while sophomore guard Nate Tyburczy scored 12. Junior Braden Marcotte finished with eight and senior Colin Byrne added seven points.
“Our plan was to take away Lopez and Byrne,” Champeau said. “They’re both great players but we have a lot of depth to throw at them.”
The Bulldogs closed the first half with a 35-21 lead and stretched it to as many as 23 in the second half. Senior Nic Economu scored 13 points for the Bulldogs and junior Luke Lydon added 11 while seniors David Carr, Sean Yablonski, and Carson Memmott scored six apiece. Defensively, senior Charlie Butters set the tone off the bench early for the Bulldogs, helping to keep Byrne off his mark while scrambling for loose balls all over the court.
“We have a lot of depth and guys like Charlie can come off the bench and settle us down a bit. He played great tonight,” said Champeau. “We carry a lot of kids and any night any one of them can step up. Tonight, it was him.”
No Answer for Luke Cruz
The Lions just could not find an answer for Cruz, the player of the game at both ends of the floor. His offensive and presence inside on defense presented problems all night.
“He’s solid, really good and he’s improved a lot since we saw him earlier in the season,” said Middletown North coach Chris Hoffman. “They have a good team and should do well in the games ahead.”
SCT quarterfinals: Saturday, Feb. 15 at Middletown South
11 a.m. - (5) Central vs. vs. (4) St. Rose
12:45 p.m. - (7) Holmdel vs. (2) CBA
2:30 - (6) Rumson-Fair Haven vs. (3) Red Bank
4:15 p.m. - (9) Colts Neck vs. (1) Manasquan
Semifinals
Wednesday, Feb. 19 at RWJ Barnabas Health Arena, Toms River
Championship
Friday, Feb. 21 at OceanFirst Bank Center, West Long Branch