Marlboro girls advance to SCT semis

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Above, Marlboro’s Chakhia Cole takes a hard foul during the Mustangs’ win over Monmouth Regional on Sunday at Brookdale. At left, Brina Pollack looks to get the ball inside.

Freehold Twp. boys

fall in quarters

to Manasquan

BY TIM MORRIS

Staff Writer

After two rounds of the upset-filled Shore Conference Tournament, Marlboro is still standing tall. The Mustangs avoided the rash of the upsets that had befallen other top seeds and were poised to win their first-ever SCT title.

With their 52-44 win over Monmouth Regional at Brookdale Community College Sunday afternoon, the top-seeded Mustangs advanced to the semifinals for the fourth consecutive year. Awaiting the Mustangs there was one of their rivals over the years, fourth-seeded St. John Vianney (SJV).

Marlboro and SJV played last night in Toms River North’s new Ritacco Center with the winner advancing to Friday night’s final, also at Toms River (tipoff at 7 p.m.).

SJV beat St. Rose, 42-30, in its semifinal.

The Mustangs had a score to settle with the Lancers. Two years ago, SJV edged the Mustangs in the SCT final, the first of two-straight heartbreaking losses in championship game for the Marlboro girls.

Now seniors and playing with a sense of urgency, the Mustangs avoided the pitfalls that befell No. 2 seed and defending champion Red Bank Catholic, and No. 3 seed Rumson-Fair Haven last week.

The Caseys lost to Toms River North at Brookdale, 47-43 on Sunday, while Rumson lost at home Friday to Toms River East, 43-36.

Marlboro began its bid for its first SCT Friday night against Pt. Pleasant Beach scoring a solid 67-49 win. Chakhia Cole had all the answers as she scored a season-high 31 points. The Gulls couldn’t keep her off the boards as she pulled down 15 caroms.

Brina Pol-lack had her steady hand on the pulse of the Mustang offense dishing out six assists. She also had 14 points.

Beach, which had upset Freehold Township in its first round game, tried to stay in the game with its long-range shooting. The Gulls outscored Marlboro beyond the arc 7-2 led by Ashley Hart’s four. She led the Gulls with 14 points.

Sunday, the Monmouth Golden Falcons provided a stern test for Mustangs and actually led 36-35 in the third quarter. Marlboro’s defense took over at that point and carried Marlboro to its 20th win of the season.

Cole led the ’Stangs with 16 while Pollack netted 13.

Marlboro (20-2) has not lost to a Shore Conference opponent this winter.

This is a different Marlboro team than the one that has lost the last two SCT finals. The senior quartet of Cole, Pollack, Jenna Gatto and Christie Kastner are playing loose like they have nothing to lose, as they did as freshmen. They have used the lower expectations of others as a motivation. They have also gone out of their way to get everyone else involved this year and have been providing encouragement. If the ’Stangs need to go to the bench this year, they will be bringing in more confident players.

On the other side of the semifinal bracket last night was a Battle of Toms River, with Toms River East and Toms River North playing for bragging rights and a trip to the SCT final.

Freehold Township’s boys were at Red Bank Regional High School Sunday looking to get to the SCT semifinals for the first time in school history. The Pats’ quarterfinal opponent was a familiar foe, Manasquan.

The team played backed in December for the Kuhnert Holiday Tournament championship with the Big Blue winning in double-overtime.

The rematch couldn’t top the first go-around, but that was fine with Manasquan as the Warrior topped the Patriots, 78-73 behind Tom White’s 23 points.

The Big Blue built up a 15-point lead in the first half, but had to withstand a barrage of treys from Manny Ubilla and Brad Brach before they could secure the win. Ubilla had a game-high 26, including five treys, while Brach had a career-high 23 led by his six threes. Marcus Roberson had 19 for the Pats (16-5).

Freehold Township, the No. 6 seed, opened the SCT at home Friday against St. John Vianney. Ubilla, the Shore’s top scorer, hit the Lancers for 35 points in a 66-53 victory. Ubilla had seven three-pointers and Brach three (nine points for the game) as the duo put on a long-range shooting exhibition.

Freehold Township, which won its first division title this year (A North public school) will now focus on the Central Jersey Group IV playoffs. The Patriots are the fourth seed and will open at home on Monday against Rancocas Valley.