Colts lose heartbreaker,
but gain needed confidence
St. John Vianney girls drop hard-fought contest to Shabazz
By doug mckenzie
Staff Writer

The Christian Brothers Academy boys’ basketball team entered Sunday’s match-up with top-ranked Neptune at the Battle of the Boardwalk in Asbury Park desperately in need of a boost in confidence.

The Colts staggered out of the blocks to an uncharacteristic 6-4 start, but knew that they could end all the speculation that they were ripe for the taking this year with an upset of the Scarlet Fliers.

Meanwhile, Neptune entered the game as a team looking to re-establish itself as the class of the Shore Conference, knowing full well that CBA is better than its record indicated.

All the components were in place for a classic match-up, and the result was just that. CBA and Neptune battled it out in a competitive atmosphere that had the feel of a championship game, and at the end of regulation, the two teams had played to a tie, forcing overtime.

In overtime it took a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Marcus Alston to end the affair, giving Neptune its biggest win of the young season, 62-59. And while a prolific program like CBA is not in the habit of looking at the bright side of a loss, head coach Ed Wicelinski’s team may make an exception this time.

On a day when the Colts played the type of inspired, disciplined basketball we’ve come to expect from them, they may have found their leader. So far this year, the Colts have been lacking the player who becomes the difference-maker in the clutch. On Saturday, Kyle Olesko filled that role, hitting six of 10 three-point shots on his way to a game-high 26 points.

Olesko’s play, along with some timely baskets from Sean Dunne (22 points), helped the Colts jump out to a 22-15 lead late in the first half. But Neptune responded with a 15-4 run, keyed by Alston’s emergence in the paint. The Monmouth University-bound senior became a force off the glass, opening up outside shots for his teammates.

In the third quarter, the Colts responded, and took a 45-44 lead on a pair of fast-break baskets. But Alston then found teammate Duane Montgomery for an open three, and the Scarlet Fliers were back on top. Once again it was Olesko who stepped up for CBA, hitting a three-pointer to give the Colts the lead, and set up a thrilling fourth quarter.

The two teams continued to trade baskets the rest of the way, and CBA took a 57-56 lead on a backdoor lay-up from Olesko with just 27 ticks on the clock. But Alston was fouled on the other end, and made one of two foul shots to knot the score once again. CBA had one last chance to win the game in regulation, but Olesko was unable to get a clean look at the basket as time expired.

In OT, both teams took turns stalling after scoring early baskets, and the game seemed destined for a second overtime period when Neptune took the ball out with just over three seconds left. But Alston got the ball, turned and fired an off-balance three at the buzzer that found nothing but the bottom of the net.

While the Neptune fans stormed the court, the CBA players walked back to their bench astonished that they had lost the game in that fashion.

However, the Colts made a point with their effort on Saturday. They are improving, and should be expected to continue to do so as the Shore Conference Tournament looms just a few weeks away.

"We proved a point," Olesko said following the game. "We can still play with anyone in the Shore."

Neptune won the game on Saturday, but if these two teams are to meet again down the road, CBA will not enter the contest lacking confidence. Instead, they’ll be seeking revenge.

While the Colts took on the best the Shore had to offer on Saturday, the St. John Vianney Lady Lancers entered their contest on Sunday as the favorite against Shabazz.

However, the Lancers showed their youth in the Battle of the Boardwalk’s second game, dropping a 43-38 contest in ugly fashion.

The Lancers held a 34-28 edge at the beginning of the fourth quarter, but sloppy play allowed Shabazz to climb back into the game, and eventually win with an 11-1 run.

During that run, SJV committed a series of costly turnovers, while the Shabazz players found their rhythm at the offensive end for the first time in the game.

The loss dropped the Lancers to 7-1 on the year, and will likely affect their No. 4 ranking in the state. Shabazz entered the game ranked No. 14 in the state.