Posted by Scott Stump
A lot of the divisional races heat up this week as teams take their second turn through divisional play, so the contenders and pretenders will be weeded out further by Saturday. There also are some good nondivisional and nonconference matchups as well. As always, make sure to check highschoolsports.net before you go anywhere in case of schedule changes.
Tuesday
Manalapan at CBA, 3:45 p.m. – One of these teams will stay in the hunt in Class A North, while the loser will be on life support as far as any shot at grabbing a piece of the division title. Manalapan has been sputtering lately, while CBA is also struggling to find offense. This is a very important game for both of these teams.
Matawan at Raritan, 6:30 p.m. – The Rockets’ overall record (6-5) may not be the greatest, but they are tied for first in Class A Central, so they need this one as they try to defend their division title.
Red Bank at Holmdel, 6:30 p.m. – Another important Class A Central game, Holmdel needs this one to keep pace with Raritan in the race for the title.
Keansburg at St. Rose, 5:30 p.m. – Keansburg is off to an 8-2 start after a six-win season, but it hasn’t had that big win yet. The Titans almost got Point Beach, losing by a point, so they will try to pull the upset on the road against traditional B Central contender St. Rose, which is tied for first and needs this win to keep pace with Point Beach and Asbury Park.
Middletown North at Manasquan, 6:30 p.m. – The No. 1 Lions roll into Manasquan, which has already tied its win total from all of last season with nine victories. The Warriors don’t have that signature victory yet, and toppling a team that has won 10 in a row and is ranked No. 1 would certainly qualify as that. JR Hobbie and Jimmy Walsh have been a great tandem for Manasquan, but are they enough to overcome the Lions, who will get even deeper today now that Mater Dei Prep transfer John Dini, a junior forward, will be eligible after sitting 30 days?
Thursday
Freehold Township at CBA, 4 p.m.: The Patriots beat CBA in a thriller on Freehold Township’s home court the first time around, so they will be looking to complete a rare sweep of the Colts and their first since finishing No. 1 in the Shore in 2007. This game will have important Class A North title implications.
Manalapan at Middletown North, 4 p.m.: The only team to beat Middletown North this season is Manalapan in a last-second upset, and now the Lions will look to prove that was a fluke while the Braves want to shake up the Class A North race with a sweep.
Lakewood at Lacey, 6:30 p.m.: This is a good nondivisional match-up with Shore Conference Tournament seeding implications as well as Top 10 implications. Lacey is looking for that first real big win to hang its hat on during a 9-1 start, and this is the Lions’ chance. Lakewood also will be without starting guards Jameer Jones and Dajuan Morris as well as reserve Idequan Allen for violation of team rules, so it will be an uphill fight for the Piners and a good opportunity for the Lions.
Asbury Park at St. Rose, 6:30 p.m.: Asbury Park won a thriller on its home court in the season opener, and this is a pivotal Class B Central game between the old rivals. The winner gets an important leg up in the three-way race for the title with Point Beach.
Friday
Lacey at Manchester, 5:30 p.m.: Lacey can put some more distance between itself and its closest pursuers in Class B South by knocking off the Hawks, who have played Lacey tough the past few seasons. Manchester can give itself a fighting chance at a piece of a title with a win.
Saturday
Jackson Memorial at Freehold Township, 1 p.m.: This is a great nondivisional game between two of the top five teams in the All Shore Media Top 10. It will have important SCT seeding implications and could be a preview of an eventual showdown in the Central Jersey Group IV bracket.
Neptune at Trenton, 2:30 p.m.: The Scarlet Fliers head out to Tornado Alley for their annual match-up with the perennial Central Jersey Group IV contenders for a good nonconference test.
CBA at St. Anthony, 3 p.m.: The Colts travel to Jersey City for their annual meeting with the Friars to face the defending national champions, who are currently ranked No. 4 in the nation by USA Today and have not lost a game since the 2009-10 season.
