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Pats' Big Three, Cougars top All-District team
The Patriots played so many memorable games during the season. There was the 23-point blowout of Christian Brothers Academy at the start of the season that signaled the Pats could be a special group, and they were. They won the Kuhnert Holiday Tournament for the second straight year, beating South Jersey power Shawnee in the process. That made the state stand up and take notice. The Pats would beat CBA in the rematch in Lincroft to not only become the first team to sweep a season series from CBA, but win the Shore Conference A North Division title without the caveat of "public schools." Those achievements were the tip of the iceberg. In February the Pats made school and District history by winning the Shore Conference Tournament championship, becoming the first boys team to do so. They had to beat a tough CBA five for the third time, and they were up to the challenge. Their record-setting season came to an end in the Central Jersey Group IV final, falling to South Brunswick, 88-72. It was the end of the line for seniors Eddie Fischer, T.J. LaFalce, Marcus Roberson, Roger Wilmot and Alan Frost. Together they were an era, taking the Patriots where they'd never been before. Four straight division titles and the SCT crown are their legacy. While Freehold Township was setting a new standard of excellence on the hardwood, Lou Piccola's Cougars confirmed that they are one of the Shore's top programs, capable of winning year in and year out. The Cougars moved up to A North this year and dispelled any lingering thoughts that they might not be ready when they beat CBA in Lincroft, becoming just the second team from the District to beat the Shore benchmark program. They went 17-6 this year led by senior guard Brian Baker. It is the Pats' Fischer, LaFalce and Roberson and Colts Neck's Baker and Stephen Spinella who make up the News Transcript's 2007 All-Freehold Regional District Boys Basketball Team First Team. Second Team honors went to Wilmot, Colts Neck's Mitchell Katz and Justin Martin; and Manalapan's Jason Goldheimer, Chris Saray and Dan Ciprut.
Fischer's value to the Patriots could never be measured by statistics. His impact on the game was making everyone on the floor a better player by creating the best scoring opportunities for his teammates. He conducted the orchestra, and what an orchestra it was. In the blink of an eye, the Patriots would run off 12 or 15 straight points and put the game on ice. No team in the Shore ran the fast break better or was more lethal than Freehold Township, and that was thanks to their talented point guard, who played both ends of the floor with equal effectiveness. Fischer was usually content to set his teammates up, but when he had to score, he let everyone know he could score 20-plus points a night if he wanted to. His most outstanding game was the SCT final, where he scored 22 points and seemed to score every big basket down the stretch for the Pats. When he wasn't scoring, he was assisting. His kick-out pass to brother Kevin Fischer, who buried a three-pointer from the corner, was the dagger in CBA's heart. As if that weren't enough, he came back on the defensive end and made the steal that put the game away. He was later named the game's Most Outstanding Player. For the season, the senior averaged 10.2 points a game, just under seven assists and three steals. Coaches in the A North will be glad to see LaFalce graduate. For three years the forward has been a match-up nightmare. He was either too big for the small forwards or too quick for the taller defenders. LaFalce averaged a team-high 19.7 points a game and knocked down 52 treys, each one of which seemed to be a back-breaker. He was the MVP of the Kuhnert Tournament for the second straight year. He was the one the Pats wanted on the line in late game situations, converting his free throws at an 81.3 percent rate. Roberson is one of the best finishers in the Shore and a tenacious rebounder. A sight no defender wanted to see was Roberson finishing off a fast break. A four-year letter-winner, Roberson became a more polished offensive player each year. He was the team's inside threat. This winter he was much more consistent and averaged 12.6 points a night along with 7.4 rebounds. He and LaFalce both joined the 1,000-career-point fraternity. Baker also joined the 1,000-point club. The senior guard worked as hard at becoming an outstanding player as anyone, and it showed the last two years when he became one of the Shore's best players. He averaged a team-high 14.13 points a game as well as 4.0 assists. Baker was one of the top long-range shooters in the Shore, knocking down 50. The senior did it on both ends of the floor, leading the Cougars in rebounds with 6.74 a game and 2.17 steals. Spinella, a junior, became the Cougars' all-important second scorer. He helped open the floor for Baker while taking care of business inside for Colts Neck. He averaged 13.9 points a game and gave power forwards and centers trouble with his ability to step outside and hit the mid-range jumper. He was a factor of defense, blocking 2.43 shots a game. The junior will be one of the Cougars' cornerstones next winter. For most of the season, Wilmot silently went about his business as Fischer, LaFalce and Roberson grabbed the headlines. But they all agreed he might be the team's most important player because if teams disregarded him, he made them pay. Wilmot really stepped up in the post season (20 points against Trenton Central and 16 against South Brunswick) and averaged 11.3 points a game. He wasn't someone you put on the line late in a game, either. He shot 84.6 from the foul line. Goldheimer was the playmaker who made it go for Manalapan's offense. The senior could penetrate and dish, or beat you with his shooting. He averaged more than 12 points and five assists a game for the Braves. Saray was a beneficiary of Goldheimer's drive and dish. The junior hit 66 threes this year, fourth best in the Shore. One of the best pure shooters around, he averaged a team-high 13.7 points a game for the Braves. Ciprut provided the Brave offense with balance with his inside presence. He averaged 13.6 points a game and pulled down 5.5 caroms a contest. The 5-9 Katz may not be the most imposing player on the court, but no one plays with a bigger heart. But concentrating on that overlooks his talents as a point guard. He has impeccable timing, a sense of when to shoot, when to pass and when to take it to the rim. He led the team in assists (6.52 a game) and averaged 7.45 points a game. He and Spinella are Colts Neck's future. Every winning team needs a Martin - someone who will do all of the little things, like taking a charge (he led the team with 17), that helps win the games. The senior played both ends of the floor well for Colts Neck, averaging 9.48 points a game (third behind Baker and Spinella) and was second to Baker in rebounds, averaging 6.52 a game. Those earning honorable mention are: Craig Perry, Colts Neck; Brandon Carter, Freehold Borough; Alan Frost, Brian Brikowski and Kevin Fischer, Freehold Township; Ryan Lapinski, Robert McClintock and Frank Ozello, Howell; and Kurt Joseph and Adam Piskin, Marlboro. 2007 All-Freehold Regional District Boys Basketball Team First Team Eddie FischerFreehold Townshipsenior guard T.J. LaFalceFreehold Townshipsenior forward Marcus RobersonFreehold Townshipsenior forward Brian BakerColts Necksenior guard Stephen SpinellaColts Neckjunior forward
Second Team Jason GoldheimerManalapansenior guard Roger WilmotFreehold Townshipsenior guard Mitchell KatesColts Neckjunior guard Chris SarayManalapanjunior forward Dan CiprutManalapansenior forward Justin MartinColts Neckseniorforward
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