As The Ball Bounces

If you would like to see the #1 high school basketball team in the nation then head over to the Poland Spring Arena in Toms River Saturday. St. Anthony of Jersey City will bid for its 26th state championship when they play Cardinal McCarrick
for the Non-Public “B” title at 6pm. The Friars of legendary coach Bob Hurley pulled off an upset last night before a sell-out crowd of over 8,000 at Rutgers when they defeated St. Patrick of Elizabeth 62-45. Both teams came in undefeated and were ranked 1-2 in the nation but just about everyone expected the Celtics to prevail. The Poland Spring Arena will host eight Boys and Girls championships games on Saturday and Sunday.

If ever a team got done it by bad officiating in a college basketball game it was Rutgers yesterday in the second round of the Big East Tournament. St. John’s won the game by two points with the help of 4 calls or non-calls in the final 10 seconds that all went against the Scarlet Knights. Give Rutgers coach Mike Rice credit for the way he handled the press conference afterwards in which he said everyone made mistakes in the game, including himself and his other coaches. Rice really took the high road at a time when others would have put the blame somewhere else. Classy move for a guy who has the Rutgers program pointed in the right direction.

Monmouth University is in the process of hiring a new men’s basketball coach and the administration needs to get this one right. To be honest the program has fallen off the map in terms of interest and success with sparse crowds at most games in the new $50 million plus MAC, which seats over 4000. The Hawks need a coach who will get people excited in the shore area as well as the students on campus. There is no reason why Monmouth should not compete regularly for the NEC championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. It seems a long time ago when players like Alex Blackwell and Corey Albano helped pack the old Boylan Gym.

It sure looks like Saturday will be a great day for the Irish and those who want to be as I predict record crowds for the Ocean County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade in Seaside Heights.