By Warren Rappleyea
Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School’s boys’ basketball team has heightened expectations by winning 10 times in as many games this winter.
A year ago, the Bulldogs relied heavily on sharpshooting Brendan Barry and forward Mickey Schluter, both of whom graduated in June. Rumson-Fair Haven is also without the services of junior forward Elijah McAllister, who is recovering from an injury. Now Rumson-Fair Haven is getting its points by committee with three players averaging more than 10 points and another player just under that mark.
Last year, Rumson-Fair Haven went 21-6. After splitting a pair of regular-season contests with Manasquan High School, the Bulldogs fell to the Warriors in the quarterfinals of the Shore Conference Tournament and the semifinals of the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group II tournament.
This time around, Rumson-Fair Haven opened the campaign with a convincing 80-47 triumph over Matawan Regional High School and have not looked back. Coach Chris Champeau had to sweat out his squad’s latest win, 63-61, over Point Pleasant Beach High School Jan. 14, as the Bulldogs held off a furious comeback attempt to remain undefeated. It was just the second loss of the season for the Garnet Gulls.
Down by a point at the half, Rumson-Fair Haven came out flying after the break, scoring nine straight points thanks to a trio of 3-pointers from junior guard Teddy Sourlis. Champeau’s team gradually built a 15-point lead and was still up by nine points, 58-49, with one minute remaining. Sourlis ended the evening with 15 points, while Jack Solano and sophomore Ian O’Connor added 14 points apiece.
Sourlis, who hit 37 treys, is also Rumson-Fair Haven’s top scorer, averaging 14.1 points. Solano is next with a 12.9-point average to go along with 28 3-pointers and O’Connor is at 12.6 points, including a team-leading 42 3-pointers. Tyler Pierson, a 6-foot-6 senior forward, is averaging 9.4 points and leads the team in rebounds with 108.
“We spread the ball around a little more this year, and that makes it harder for opposing defenses to focus on any one guy,” said Champeau, whose team sits atop the Shore Conference’s Class A Central Division. “A lot of times we’ve had four players in double figures.”
The Bulldogs are getting strong contributions from several other players, including guard Tommy Oakes, who hit for 11 points in a Jan. 13 win over Shore Regional High School and averages just under five points. Senior forwards Jack Higgins and Connor DuPree provide rebounding and some offense off the bench. Sophomore Jackson McCarthy has also earned playing time.
After winning its own Bulldawg Classic over the holiday break, Rumson-Fair Haven resumed the regular season with convincing wins over Middletown High School South and Red Bank Regional High School.
On Jan. 7, Champeau’s team trailed Marlboro High School, 15-10, after one quarter. With Sourlis pumping in 16 points and Pierson hauling in 15 rebounds, Rumson-Fair Haven settled in and went on to win a 49-44 decision.
Rumson-Fair Haven was slated to visit St. John Vianney High School (3-7) Jan. 10 before hosting Roselle Catholic High School (7-3) Jan. 22 in a 3 p.m. start. The Bulldogs will resume A North play Jan. 24 at Matawan.
