Boys Basketball – SSN Army Strong Team of the Week: CBA

Since joining the Shore Conference more than three decades ago, the Christian Brothers Academy basketball team has rarely played the role of underdog. Even this year, one in which the Colts sought to replace their top six players from last year, CBA served as a proving-ground opponent for many Class A North teams.

Last Friday, however, the Colts rolled into Freehold Township as the unquestioned underdog against a 16-0 Patriots squad that already won at CBA, 54-39, in early January. CBA erupted for a 13-0 run during the first quarter and never looked back, knocking off Freehold Township, 63-58.

For handing the No. 3 team in the Shore Sports Network Top 10 its first loss, CBA is the fifth Army Strong Team of the Week of the 2016-17 season.

The win over the Patriots was CBA's fourth straight and the Colts extended the streak to five on Tuesday with a win over Freehold Boro. A trio of sophomores has fueled the resurgence: Josh Cohen (10.6 points per game), Liam Kennedy (10.6) and Stephen Braunstein (8.5) are the team's top three scorers. Kennedy and Braunstein led the way against Freehold Township by scoring 16 points apiece and combining for seven of the team's nine three-pointers.

CBA began last week by defeating Howell, 63-44 on Jan. 24 behind a 19-point effort by Kennedy.

2017 Team of the Week Winners

Week 4: Donovan Catholic

Week 3: Ranney

Week 2: Rumson-Fair Haven

Week 1: Ocean