Delbarton survives the Rams’ Charge!
DELBARTON (3-1): Rob Delaney 2-10-4-26, Pat Sullivan 4-5-1-16, Justin Garris 5-2-0-12, Joe McLaughlin 4-1-0-9, Brian Waldele 3-0-0-6, Jack Hurley 1-0-0-2, Ben Tolkowsky 0-1-0-1
RANDOLPH (1-3): Darrell Jones 6-6-2-24, Chip Naddaff 9-0-0-18, Andrew Turner 1-0-1-5, Zach Feinberg 4-2-0-10, Derek Cowley 4-1-0-9
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Fans love the points, the quick pace and runs used to erase big leads. Coaches, on the other hands love when a good plan is executed to perfection, when ball control, a perfectly timed screen and an easy lay up help change the scoreboard. If you were at the second game of the J.P. Flynn Memorial Tournament tonight at Mendham High School, you saw it all. In a fast paced, exciting first quarter, the Green Wave jumped out to a 19-17 lead at the end of the first. Rob Delany contributed with 8 points (two 3-pointers) and Pat Sullivan knocked in seven. Things look bleak early for the Green Wave as the Rams jumped to a 9-2 lead. Andrew Turned tied the score 2 early on, off a nice pass Chip Naddaff. Andrew Turner added a Three to give the Rams their first lead of the game. Naddaff knocked in the next two field goals for the Rams. Delbarton battled back early in the fast paced first. A three by Rob Delaney cut the Rams lead to 11-7 followed by a three by Rob Sullivan. The quarter’s final basket, a deuce from Delbarton’s Rob Sullivan broke a 17-17 tie.
The Green Wave took over defensively for the next two quarters, stymieing most of the Rams, but not Naddaff, who poured in four hoops in the second quarter contributing to his game total of 18. Delbarton was able to build their lead mostly on free throws. Randolph did not attempt one free in the first half and where as the Green Wave made 9 out of 13 including 6 out of 6 by Rob Delaney. Delaney had a plentiful and strong first half netting 16 points with one block.
The Rams began the second half down by nine and found themselves trailing by 11 just a few seconds into the second half as Justin Garris stole the ball near mid-court and dropped in two with an uncontested dunk. But the Rams failed to give up and responded by cutting the lead to 2 (40-38) with 5:11 left in the third. Turnener started the run with a quick answer after the dunk. Darrell Jones then beat Garris to the baseline and for a lay up, cutting the lead to 5. Delbarton was able to up the lead back to 7, but Naddaff dropped in two to make it a five point game. Jones dropped in the bucket at 5:11, but that was as close as the game would be for the rest of the game. Delbarton’s once explosive offense went back into explosive mode as Garris netted five points and Delaney was able to convert each free throw, giving Delbarton a 49-41 lead moving into the final frame.
If you were looking to get popcorn and soda, now was not the time. Delbarton Deleney (10 for 10 on free throws) hit both free throws awarded to the Wave on a Technical Foul against the Rams bench. The green Wave lead was up’d to ten until Sullivan’s duce at 7:29 made it 13. The Rams fell behind 57-43 nearing the final two minutes and maybe it was a good time to get that refreshing treat … oh I hope you didn’t!
The Rams (undeserving of the early 1-3 record) began to manufacture point. Darrel Jones erupted for 14 of his 24 point in the final stretch including a three to start the run and a quick steal and lay up to cut the lead and make it a two possession game, which was then cut to three. That is, until Rob Delaney was able to stick (what seemed to be an ill-advised) three. Through great coverage by Randolph defender, who had both hands in front of his face, Delaney hit noting but the bottom of the net. Delbarton now lead 69-63 with only 48 seconds left. But again, the Rams were able to make it a two possession game at 0:33, after a basket by Naddaff. But that was as close as the valiant effort was able to get it as the Wave made a series of free throws to hold onto to a hard fought victory.
Morris County Fans can only hope that these two face off again in the MCT! Randolph will face Sparta tomorrow at Delbarton HS (3:00). The Green Wave will host Morris Catholic at 7:00.
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