Sports
On Point: Boys Advance to Tourney Semifinals
Point Pleasant Beach boys stun top-ranked CBA, 56-55
For the second game in a row, the difference between winning and losing, surviving and advancing, came down to the free throw line.
Unlike Thursday's 51-50 victory over Colts Neck, it wasn't star forward Jarelle Reischel with the game on the line. This time it was Kevin Donohue playing on Saturday at Brookdale Community College in the Lincroft section of Middletown.
The forward nailed both free throws with 18.8 seconds to play, sending Point Pleasant Beach High School's boys basketball team to the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals after a thrilling 56-55 victory over No. 1 seed Christian Brothers Academy (17-4).
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Nobody was happier for his forward, Donohue, than Point Beach head coach Nick Catania.
"I couldn't be happier for him," Catania said. "He's the most unselfish kid I've ever had, he deserved the moment."
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The two free throws finished off an impressive 16-for-16 game by the Gulls at the line.
As clutch as Donohue was, Point Beach received another stirring performance from Reischel.
Reischel scored his team's first 13 points, and hit what was one of the most imperative shots of the day for the Gulls. An 8-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter had turned into a 3-point advantage by the always tough CBA. The momentum had clearly shifted against Point Beach, but Reischel drained a three-pointer with 1:14 left which tied the game at 52.
"He's our guy, I had the confidence in him to make a play, that's why he is who he is." Catania said.
"I knew I had to make a play, simple as that," Reischel said.
The Rice University-bound forward finished with a game-high 27 points. Michael Rotando netted 14, and Donohue finished with six points.
Point Beach has now knocked off the top two seeds from the Shore Conference this season but for a program that was looking for a signature win, mission accomplished.
"This is the best win I've had since becoming the coach at Point. To see the reaction on my kids faces. Beating CBA, doesn't get better than this," Catania said.
But Catania and the Gulls had to survive two final scoring chances by CBA. Luckily for the Gulls, both shots missed.
With the win, Point Beach advances to the Shore Conference semis for the first time since 1963. The Gulls will face third-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven, a 54-51 winner over Howell in the quarterfinals, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
