Boys Basketball – RBC Makes it Two Wins in Two Nights by Beating St. Rose at the WOBM

TOMS RIVER - Three seniors for Red Bank Catholic scored in double-digits as the Caseys downed St. Rose, 68-55, in the WOBM Christmas Classic first round Saturday.

After finishing Friday night’s win over Ocean on a 16-1 run, the Casey’s carried that momentum into their clash with the Purple Roses less than 24 hours later.

After a back and forth affair early in the first, RBC finished the quarter on a 8-2 run behind seniors Eddie Hahn and Evan Madigan. Hahn finished with 12, and Madigan scored a game-high 20 points.

“You can’t make up for experience,” said Casey’s head coach James Catalano when asked about Hahn and Madigan. “They are leaders on the floor both offensively and defensively.”

RBC senior Eddie throws down a dunk, two of his 12 points in a Caseys win over St. Rose. (Photo by Ray Richardson)

The Caseys showed more of the same in the second quarter and broke open a 6-0 run to begin the period. St. Rose answered right back with two threes from sophomore guard Jared Scheininger, who was the leading scorer for the Purple Roses with 12. RBC took a 38-22 lead into the locker room at half.

Turnovers were the key to RBC’s success throughout the game, especially in the second, with Madigan grabbing three of his four steals in the game in the quarter and Hahn grabbing two steals as well.

“It’s all about guys getting off the ball weak side and don’t get a free lane,” said Madigan. “We try and get guys to start dribbling too much and make them make mistakes. We are relying on our defense right now and know our offense will come around.”

St. Rose came out aggressive on the defensive end to start the second half, forcing four turnovers leading to back-to-back buckets from J.P. Krotulis and Brendan Hueth.

RBC had the answer with senior John Poccia hitting three three-pointers and 11 of his 13 points in the quarter open a 59-35 Caseys lead at the end of the third.

“We like to be able and get to the paint and either go up with it or kick it out for a three,” said Madigan.

St. Rose continued to fight with a late 9-2 run to end the game, but it was too little too late as the Casey’s scored a victory.

“We are still trying to get back into shape, so we can do the things we want to do, said Catalano. “We saw spurts of how we want to play. We played last night, today and now Monday so we have to make sure we are rested.”

RBC will play Donovan Catholic in the quarterfinals of the WOBM Christmas Classic while St. Rose will Brick Memorial in a consolation game next Saturday, Dec. 26.