Point Beach and Other Shore Players Fight, but Larson Ford Wins 99-73 in JSBL Opener

Despite solid efforts by Point Beach stand-outs Jordan Wejnert and Michael Rotando, Larson Ford defeated Team Shore 99-73 in each squad’s first Jersey Shore Basketball League contest on Monday at St. Rose High School gymnasium in Belmar.

The duo combined to chip in 18 points for Shore. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough for Shore to edge out Larson.

After a fast-paced first quarter, Larson Ford held a slim, six-point advantage over Shore 28-22.

However, Larson Ford was able to run away from Team Shore, thanks to an impressive second quarter in which they outscored Shore 22-10 and led by 18 at half.  

Larson Ford had four scorers in double figures, but was led by former Farleigh Dickinson standout Sean Baptiste.

Baptiste led all of the Larson scorers with 22 points and did a tremendous of job of getting out in transition.

Following the brief half-time intermission, Larson stretched its lead to 60-38 early in the third quarter.

Shore was able to make things more interesting thanks to the sensational play of Roy Mabrey. The former CBA product helped spur a 16-5 Shore run which cut the deficit to 11 points late in the third quarter.

Mabrey scored 10 of his game high 27 points in the Shore spurt and also chipped in 10 rebounds.

But the stellar of play of Baptiste, Kareem Collins and Darren Townes was just too much for Shore to handle, especially in the fourth quarter.

The inside-out game of Collins and Townes was lethal in the fourth quarter for Lawson Ford.  The duo helped Larson outscore Shore 30-19 in the period.

Collins was one assist shy of a triple double. He netted 11 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 9 assists.

Townes, the former Hofstra University product, chipped in with 13 points for the winners.

Team Shore will look to even its record on the JSBL ledger on Wednesday vs. Asbury Park Recreation at 7:15 p.m.