SSZ brings your three state playoff games from Friday night.  In our US Army Game of the Week, Jack Solano scored 12 of his 34 in OT to give RFH a 70-62 win over rival Manasquan plus the RFH girls advancing.  SSZ cameras were in Tinton Falls as Ranney reached the state quarterfinals with a 78-70 win over Rutgers Prep.

Rumson-Fair Haven 70 Manasquan 62 (OT)

Jack Solano took over overtime with 12 points in the extra four minutes as part of a sensational 34 point effort as the Bulldogs advance to the Central Jersey Group 2 finals.  The game featured tremendous three-point shooting from both teams.  Manasquan had a double digit lead in the second quarter before back to back three-pointers by Solano and Teddy Sourlis cut the lead to 38-34 at the half.  The Warriors had a seven point lead after three quarters before an RFH 10-0 run to start the fourth quarter.  Solano nailed another triple to give Rumson-Fair Haven a 49-46 lead.  The Warriors battled back with Brad McCabe delivering a hoop and foul to take a 54-50 lead with 2:26 to go in the fourth.  RFH drew even thanks to a Tyler Pierson three-pointer in the final 20 seconds to tie the game at 52.  Devin Jensen missed a turnaround jumper to win it, setting the stage for Solano’s outstanding overtime effort.  Watch the highlights from Rumson’s big win in our US Army Game of the Week:

US Army Game of the Week

Thanks to the US Army, Shore Sports Zone will bring you a Game of the Week in hockey, boys basketball and girls basketball all winter long.  We’ll pick the big games on the schedule and bring you extended highlights and post-game reaction.  Thanks to the US Army for supporting our coverage of great Shore Conference sports here on SSZ!

Ranney 78 Rutgers Prep 70

The Panthers came through in crunch time to get to the Non-Public South “B” semifinals.  Bryan Antoine had 25 points including the go-ahead three point play to break a 70-70 tie.  Scottie Lewis added 22 points and Ahmadu Sarnor delivered 17 points.  Ranney beat Rutgers Prep in overtime in the regular season and came through again to earn a matchup with the #1 team in the state, the Patrick School, on Monday in the state quarterfinals.  Watch Ranney’s big win and post-game reaction from SSZ’s Alex Lorenzo:

Rumson-Fair Haven 55 New Providence 45

Tori Hyduke scored a career high 30 points to get RFH in the Central Jersey Group 2 Finals to face Manasquan for a third straight year.  New Providence, a 23 win team, was able to get within one point late in the third quarter, but Rumson never relinquished the lead.  Watch the Lady Bulldogs great win and post-game reaction from Tori Hyduke:

BOYS

Central Jersey Group 4 

(1) Freehold Township 76  (5) Sayreville 66

Finals – Tuesday

(2) Hunterdon Central at (1) Freehold Township

 

Central Jersey Group 2

(1) Rumson-Fair Haven 70  (4) Manasquan 62 (OT)

Finals – Tuesday

(3) AL Johnson at (1) Rumson-Fair Haven – Tuesday

 

South Jersey Group 4

(1) Toms River North 63  (4) Cherokee 49

Finals – Tuesday

(2) Shawnee at (1) Toms River North

 

South Jersey Group 2

(1) Camden 50  (4) Barnegat 30

 

Non-Public South “B”

(1) Patrick School 61  (8) Mater Dei Prep 34

(4) Ranney 78  (5) Rutgers Prep 70

Semifinals – Monday

(4) Ranney at (1) Patrick School

 

GIRLS

Central Jersey Group 4

(2) South Brunswick 48  (3) Middletown South 45

 

Central Jersey Group 2

(1) Manasquan 68 (5) Newark Tech 61

(2) Rumson-Fair Haven 55  (3) New Providence 45

Finals – Monday

(2) Rumson-Fair Haven at (1) Manasquan

 

South Jersey Group 4

(1) Toms River North 52  (4) Kingsway 49

Finals – Monday

(2) Cherokee at (1) Toms River North

 

South Jersey Group 2

(3) Manchester 47  (2) Haddonfield 32

Finals – Monday

(3) Manchester at (1) Middle Township

 

Non-Public South “B”

(6) Saint Rose 48  (3) Gloucester Catholic 43

Finals – Monday

(6) Saint Rose at (2) Rutgers Prep

Sponsor Shout Outs

Thanks to I’m Possible Training (Ranney) and ServPro of Eatontown/Long Branch (Rumson-Fair Haven) for their sponsorship of Shore Sports Zone.  We’ll be at more Ranney and RFH games on the road to the state championship