Cougars get signature win at WOBM Classic
CN boys win in Florida
BY TIM MORRIS Staff Writer
Colts Neck has been looking for that one signature victory that would prove they belong with the Shore Conference's elite girls basketball programs.

There have been a series of close calls and agonizing tournament losses for coach John Truhan's Cougars. But not anymore.

Led by sophomores Lauren Clarke and Brooke Hampton, the Cougars captured the 24th WOBM Classic, topping statepower Rumson-Fair Haven, 36-33, on Dec. 30. The Bulldogs had beaten them in last year's final.

"It was a big step for our team," said Clarke, the tourney's Most Valuable Player "It was the first time we beat Rumson. It felt good.

"We played really good defense," she added.

Clarke sealed the Colts Neck win by sinking four clutch free throws late.

Hampton nailed a three-pointer that put Colts Neck up 30-25 in the fourth, but Rumson would come back to tie it at 30- 30. However, a put-back by Crystal Butler gave the lead back to Colts Neck, 32-30, at the Ritaccco Center in Toms River. Clarke followed with a pair of free throws that pushed the lead to 34-30.

Rumson still had one card to play. Candice Green knocked down a three-pointer, and it was 34-33 with 16 seconds left.

After the inbounds pass, Clarke was fouled and promptly sank both free throws to provide the final three-point cushion. She and Brittany Howes shared team-high honors with 10 points.

Hampton made her presence felt on the defensive end, limiting Rumson's top player, Kate Miller, to just eight points.

With the win, the Cougars moved into uncharted territory. They are ranked 11th in the state, their highest ranking ever. The girls are aware that the WOBM championship and state ranking will make them a target of every team on the schedule.

"Everyone will be coming after us," Clarke said.

The Cougars found that out Saturday afternoon when the Middletown North Lions trailed by just three, 28-25, midway through the third quarter. With Hampton stepping back and hitting three threes and the defense caging up the Lions, Colts Neck outscored Middletown North 30-9 the rest of the way for a 58-34 win.

Clarke (15) and Hampton (14) led the Cougars, who are now 8-1.

Tomorrow, the Cougars play an important A North Division game at defending champion Middletown South. The Eagles have not lost in the division all year, while the Cougars' only loss was to Howell. Colts Neck must have a road win to stay in the division hunt.

While the Cougar girls were winning in Toms River over the holidays, the Cougar boys were capturing the KSA Tournament in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. The Cougars beat Steel Valley (Pa.) 60-56 as Mitchell Kates poured in 22 points. Stephen Spinella scored 18, and Craig Perry 15, as the Cougars got a look at teams from around the country.

Lou Piccola's Cougar boys have had their signature wins (beating Christian Brothers Academy the past two years), but the victory in Florida was nice for their résumé.

The Cougars were picked off by Middletown North Saturday, 61-55, dropping their first game of the year. They are 7-1 overall and 4-1 in A North. With Christian Brothers Academy falling to Middletown South, the Cougars remain atop A North.

Tomorrow night the Cougars host Middletown South, which is 3-2 in A North and looking to move into a first-place tie with them.

Friday the Cougars will step out of their division to take on always-dangerous Monmouth Regional. That game tips off at 6:30 p.m. in Colts Neck.