Basketball – Marlboro Boys, RBC Girls Draw Top Seeds at WOBM Christmas Classic
Marlboro (boys) and Red Bank Catholic (girls) have earned the top seeds for the 37th Annual WOBM Christmas Classic which runs from December 18 to 30 at the RWJBarnabas Health Arena at Toms River High School North. The Mustangs and Caseys were picked first by the tournament's head coaches during the seeding meeting dinner held Sunday night at The Office Restaurant & Lounge, which sponsored the event.
Marlboro returns four starters from a team that went 9-4 during the shortened 2020-21 season and lost in overtime to Manasquan in what, in essence, was the Shore Conference championship game. Heading up those starters is 6’5" senior Jack Seidler, who averaged over 20 points and 7 rebounds a game. Also returning for the Mustangs are seniors Jon Spatola, Jay Ratner and Zack Molod as coach Mike Nausedas shoots for his first WOBM title. Marlboro begins WOBM play on Sunday, December 19 against No. 16 Toms River East.
Earning the No. 2 seed is Red Bank Catholic, which also returns four starters and a very deep roster after going 12-1 last winter. Rugged Alex Bauman and sharp-shooters Cyril Arvantis and C.J. Ruoff will be counted on to lead the Caseys, who begin their quest for the WOBM title on December 19 against No. 15 Toms River South.
Rounding out the top four seeds are defending champion Manasquan (plays No. 14 Colts Neck) and Freehold Township (vs. No. 13 Donovan Catholic).
On the girls side, RBC and Manasquan were the overwhelming choices for the top two spots, with both expected to be among the shore and state’s top teams. The Caseys (10-2 last winter) boast the dynamic one-two punch of Justine Pissott (Tennessee commit) and Ally Carman (Boston College commit) and legendary coach Joe Montano will also count on juniors Casey Prior, Molly Kelly and Emma Carman. RBC will face No. 16 Toms River South in the final game on Saturday, December 18.
Manasquan brings back four seniors starters from a team that went 13-2 a year ago. The quartet is made up of Mary Donnelly, Georgia Heine, Brooke Hollawell and Dorothy Loffredo and the Warriors open play on December 18 against No. 15 Brick Memorial.
Donovan Catholic, also 12-1 last season, is the No. 3 seed and No. 14 Central Regional is their first round opponent, while newcomer Rumson Fair-Haven grabs the fourth spot and will face No. 13 Middletown South in the opening round.
The U.S. Army is the presenting sponsor of the 37th Annual WOBM Christmas Classic. Other major sponsors include Jersey Mike’s, The Causeway Family of Dealerships, Seaview Orthopaedics, Atlantic Physical Therapy Center, Solution Prep, Community Medical Center/RWJBarnabas Health, Common Sense, The Clarion Hotel & Conference Center, The Office Restaurant & Lounge and Michael’s Furniture.
37th Annual WOBM Christmas Classic Schedule
(RWJ-Barnabas Health Arena) (TRN-Toms River North Gym)
Saturday, December 18 (Girls 1st Round-All Games in RWJBarnabas Arena)
10:00 #6 Red Bank vs. #11 Wall Loser “A”
11:30 #3 Donovan Catholic vs. #14 Central Regional Loser “B”
1:00 #7 T.R. North vs. #10 Marlboro Loser “C”
2:30 #2 Manasquan vs. #15 Brick Memorial Loser “D”
4:00 #5 Ewing vs. #12 T.R. East Loser “E”
5:30 #4 Rumson-Fair Haven vs. #13 Middletown South Loser “F”
7:00 #8 Manchester vs. #9 Colts Neck Loser “G”
8:30 #1 Red Bank Catholic vs. #16 T.R. South Loser “H”
Sunday, December 19 (Boys 1st Round-All games in RWJBarnabas Arena)
10:00 #6 St. John Vianney vs. #11 Wall Loser “I”
11:30 #3 Manasquan vs. #14 Colts Neck Loser “J”
1:00 #7 Central Regional vs. #10 Jackson Memorial Loser “K”
2:30 #2 Red Bank Catholic vs. #15 T.R. South Loser “L”
4:00 #5 Manchester vs. #12 Middletown South Loser “M”
5:30 #4 Freehold Township vs. #13 Donovan Catholic Loser “N”
7:00 #8 T.R. North vs. #9 Brick Memorial Loser “O”
8:30 #1 Marlboro vs. #16 T.R. East Loser “P”
Sunday, December 26 (CONSOLATIONS ONLY)
1:00 Boys I vs. J (RWJ) M vs. N (TRN)
2:30 Boys K vs. L (RWJ) O vs. P (TRN)
4:00 Girls A vs. B (RWJ) E vs. F (TRN)
5:30 Girls C vs. D (RWJ) G vs. H (TRN)
Monday, December 27 (Girls/Boys Quarterfinals-RWJBarnabas Arena)
10:00 Girls Winners (Red Bank/Wall) vs. (Donovan/Central) Loser “Q”
11:30 Girls Winners (TR North/Marlboro) vs. (Manasquan/Brick Mem) Loser “R”
1:00 Girls Winners (Ewing/TR East) vs. (Rumson/Midd South) Loser “S”
2:30 Girls Winners (Manchstr./Colts Neck) vs. (RBC/TR South) Loser “T”
4:15 Boys Winners (SJV/Wall) vs. (Manasquan/Colts Neck) Loser “U”
5:45 Boys Winners (Central/Jackson Mem) vs. (RBC/TR South) Loser “V”
7:15 Boys Winners (Manchster/Midd South) vs. (Freehold Twp/Donovan) Loser “W”
9:00 Boys Winners (TR North/Brick Mem) vs. (Marlboro/TR East) Loser “X”
Tuesday, December 28 (Girls)
11:00 Winners (A-B/C-D) (RWJ) Losers (A-B/C-D) (TRN)
12:30 Winners (E-F/G-H) (RWJ) Losers (E-F/G-H) (TRN)
2:15 Q vs. R (RWJ)
4:00 S vs. T (RWJ)
6:00 Girls Semifinal (RWJ)
7:45 Girls Semifinal (RWJ)
Wednesday, December 29 (Boys)
11:00 Winners (I-J/K-L) (RWJ) Losers (I-J/K-L) (TRN)
12:30 Winners (M-N/O-P) (RWJ) Losers (M-N/O-P) (TRN)
2:15 U vs. V (RWJ)
4:00 W vs. X (RWJ)
6:00 Boys Semifinal (RWJ)
7:45 Boys Semifinal (RWJ)
Thursday, December 30 (All Games in RWJBarnabas Arena)
2:00 Boys 3rd Place Consolation
3:45 Girls 3rd Place Consolation
5:30 Girls Championship Final
7:30 Boys Championship Final
More From Shore Sports Network
