Colts Basketball Rides Big Plays to Buc Classic Title
Colts Basketball is only about two weeks into the season, and they’re already opening the eyes of preseason doubters.
All the early questions about how CBA was going to perform are being answered, and in a big way.
CBA is off to a scorching hot 5-0 start behind an elite defense showing. After watching a few different teams play this year, I haven’t seen a squad yet that resembles the tenacity and grit that the Colts defense has had so far this year.
The best part is, these guys have fight. They are physical, attack the ball, and never give easy lanes for opposing players to drive through. The way CBA defenders suffocate ball handlers, fight off screens, and use their bodies is something we don’t see too often from high school kids.
After three straight dominant wins against Holmdel, Freehold Boro and Red Bank Regional, CBA entered its biggest test of the season. They took on Rumson-Fair Haven in RBR’s Buc Classic in one of the best matchups we will see all season.
The Bulldogs have a plethora of talent in guys like Scott Gyimesi, a Tufts University-commit who is a 6’5″ forward that can shoot and have his way in the post, and Trent Sloan, a 6’2″ wing with a good three-point shot and solid handle with the ball.
This is where the Colts’ achilles heel, lack of size, could have been exposed. With the tallest player being 6’2 freshman Justin Fuerbacher, it was a tall task to stop the athletic bigs of RFH in the paint.
From the tip, the Colts put their hearts into this one. The defense is what did it for the most part, forcing turnovers and making the Bulldog guards make quick and sometimes panicked decisions.
Coach Billet’s guys were also clicking on offense better than we’ve seen all year. The Colt Crazies packed the neutral court, and their energy clearly helped give the Colts an edge.
I noticed a big stride forward in Peter Noble’s game against RFH. He showed no fear driving to the basket on bigger guys. Noble was shifty with the ball in his hands and did a fantastic job of getting to the rim and getting open looks for his teammates.
From a Colts fan’s perspective, this was an exciting game to watch. This team just wanted it more. They fought harder, all there is to it.
The offense was led by Will Bradley’s 26 points, shooting lights out from three-point range. Noble chipped in 11 points. Other guards like James Durney and Pat Lautato did phenomenal jobs creating shots for their teammates and breaking the Bulldogs’ press late in the contest.
CBA advanced to the championship game against Ranney, and again the Blue & White were huge underdogs. Surely their early luck would have to run out, right?
Again, CBA made a huge statement showing they are one of the top teams in the Shore Conference, taking down Ranney in overtime, 55-49, behind another stellar performance by Bradley, who finished with 16. Bradley tied the ballgame up in regulation to give the Colts a chance to win it in the extra session.
Lautato notched his best game so far with 17 points and a few key steals in OT to seal the deal.
It’s still early, but this CBA team looks special. They have embraced the underdog mentality. Every game they’ve played this year, these guys have just simply wanted it more than the other team, and it has paid off.
The road only gets tougher from here. They resume regular season play against Shore Conference favorite Marlboro on January 4 and Red Bank Catholic at home in the Founder’s Cup on January 15.
Can CBA keep this exciting play up? Tune in on Tuesday against Marlboro to see for yourself.
