Bulldogs regain their spot atop Group II

It's a rite of passage at this point — if you're going to win the NJSIA Group II title, you're going to have beat Rumson-Fair Haven to do it.

Rumson-Fair Haven's Kate Miller (left) tries to toss up a shot before Haddon Township's Maddie McComb can get a piece of it. On Sunday, Chatham couldn't get it done. Using a familiar game plan, executed as perfectly as could be expected, the Lady Bulldogs won their third Group II title in five years by beating Chatham, 40-29, on Sunday at the Ritacco Center in Toms River.

As usual, it all started with defense. RFH used a swarming pressure defense to suffocate the Cougars' patient offense, holding the South Jersey Group II champs to just 9-of-32 shooting (28 percent), while also creating 16 turnovers.

Meanwhile, on the offensive end, senior Katie Miller (who else?) set the tone, scoring a clutch 14 points, while adding eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. It was enough to earn her the MVP award, but in truth, this was very much a typical team effort from a group of girls who epitomize the type of unity that head coach George Sourlis preaches.

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Sandwiched between a slew of Haddon Township defenders, Rumson-Fair Haven's Amanda Yaccarino tosses up a shot during the first half of the NJSIAA semifinal game held March 12 at Southern Regional High School, Manahawkin. The Bulldogs dominated Haddon by a score of 48-25. "This team deserves to be champions," the proud coach said following the win.

With the win, the Bulldogs earned a trip to the Tournament of Champions, where they were to face a more familiar group of Cougars on Tuesday night in Toms River — the Group IV champions from Colts Neck. Colts Neck earned its trip to the TOC by knocking off Colombia, 58-52, in their final on Sunday, led by 23 points a piece from juniors Brooke Hampton and Lauren Clarke. Slowing down Colts Neck's dynamic duo was certain to present a challenge for RFH, however, as they proved against an experienced, senior-laden Chatham team on Sunday, the Bulldogs have a clear understanding of how to play team defense.

After losing in last year's Group II final, RFH entered this year's contest assured of what it needed to do to advance. Playing to their strengths, the Bulldogs followed the script, and in the end, Chatham could not match their execution.

"We came in saying that this is what we've worked so hard for since losing last year and we weren't going to let it get away," said Miller, who finished 2-2 for her career in Group II finals appearances.

Early on, it appeared that this would be another typical, low-scoring battle for the Bulldogs. RFH (26-6) used a 5-0 run to close out the first quarter, and held a 9-8 advantage. The pace continued in the second quarter, as sophomore guard Ashley Cooper stepped up for RFH with five points.

With the score tied at 16-16, Chatham came out of the break looking to take over the game, as Caroline Murphy scored twice to give her team a 20-16 lead.

Sourlis immediately called timeout, and it worked, as RFH responded with two quick baskets to tie the score once again.

"I think we all came together at that point," said Miller. "We all understood what we needed to do."

RFH got two quick baskets to tie the score once again, before Miller stepped up and sparked the decisive RFH run, scoring the next six points to break the tie with just under three minutes to play in the third. Miller's efforts came in the midst of a 12-0 run that closed the third, and gave RFH a lead it would never relinquish.

By holding Chatham scoreless for a span of 7:26 minutes, the Bulldogs effectively put the game out of reach. The Cougars managed to get within 32-27 with just under six minutes to play in the game, but once again RFH responded with one of their patented runs.

With the defense shutting down the Cougars, the Bulldogs went on an 8-0 run, which included a Miller jumper and two free throws, and a pair of free throws from junior center Amanda Yaccarino and reserve Brianne Reich.

Chatham didn't score again until the 30-second mark of the fourth quarter, but by then the game, and the Group title, belonged to the Bulldogs.

Rumson's win over Chatham (27-4) was its fifth overall state championship and fourth in Group II, matching Sterling for the most Group II titles.

While both RFH and Colts Neck were certain to represent the Shore Conference well on Tuesday, they are joined in the TOC by the Shore's top team from St. John Vianney.

The Lancers are the second seed in the TOC, behind Newark's Malcolm X. Shabazz, and will face the winner of Tuesday's Bloomfield Tech-Patterson Catholic match-up tonight in Toms River.

The winner of the RFH-Colts Neck game will face Shabazz, also at the Ritacco Center, tonight.

The TOC final is set for March 23 at 6:30 p.m. at the Izod Center in East Rutherford.