Braves Best Manchester in Shore Conference Opener

A new week brought a familiar result for the men of Manalapan basketball.

After closing out the regular season Friday with a shootout victory over the Manchester Township Hawks, the Manalapan Braves took to the hardwood against the Class B South champions in the opening round of the Shore Conference Tournament.  Though Manalapan boasted the higher seed, Tuesday's contest was played on the Hawks' home turf, Manchester's reward for placing first in their division.  Braves coach Rick Garretson felt a strong defensive effort was necessary for his team to repeat success.

"We played Manchester on Friday in an uptempo, run and gun game.  We gave up 76 points defensively.  We knew that if we wanted to come here and win at their place we had to dig in and play D," said Garretson.

The scoring explosion exhibited in the previous matchup proved to be a distant memory.  Manalapan scratched out an early lead as Manchester was held scoreless for the first four minutes of the opening frame.  Manalapan held a 13-10 advantage after one quarter of play.  The Hawks' Mason Jones drove to the basket for a lay in off the glass as time expired in the first quarter to bring his team within three. 

Both teams matched their output from the first quarter as the Braves went into the half with a 26-20 advantage.  Manalapan's Nick Kreiger connected on three pointers on consecutive possessions to close out the second and give the Braves a six point edge.

Manchester's offense was never able to gain momentum.  The Hawks problems from the field were compounded by Manalapan's effectiveness on the boards.  The Braves' Matt Pflanzer grabbed a game high 10 rebounds, enabling Manalapan to control possession and dictate the pace of the game.

By the end of the third, the Braves stretched the lead to eight, at 38-30.  Aided by late free throw attempts, Manalapan finished with a 20 point fourth quarter and exited the gym at Manchester with a 58-38 victory.

Anthony Firkser scored a game high 21 points, connecting on 6 of 8 shots from the field while also converting on 3 of 4 attempts from beyond the arc.  Coach Garretson praised Firkser's performance following the game.

"He's a tremendous player.  People forget he's only a sophmore.  He's doing a real good job splitting the point duties with Greg Baker.  He's coming into his own.  We hope he continues to grow," Garretson said.

Manalapan was also aided by the outside shooting of Nick Kreiger.  The guard poured in 15 points, converting on 5 of 12 three point attempts.  Kyle Rubbinaccio contributed 12 to the victory.

Manchester was lead by Mason Jones, who scored a team high 16 points.  Nate Nickens added 11 points in defeat.

Manalapan advances to the round of sixteen where the Class A Central champion Raritan Rockets await their arrival.  The third seeded squad is led by 6'8" Wagner recruit Mike Aaman and senior point guard Kevin Furlong.  Manalapan will look to avenge a 46-39 defeat from December 30.  The Braves coach knows his team is in for a challenge.

"Raritan's tough.  They're very well coached.  They have size.  They have a real good point guard.  We played them in the Holiday Tournament, which seems like a season ago," said Garretson.  "It was a real competitive game in which they finished on top by seven.  Hopefully we make some adjustments and give them a run for their money."

Raritan hosts Manalapan Thursday at 6:30 P.M. at 419 Middle Road Road in Hazlet.