HAMILTON — It is normal for games to become more difficult the further you advance in a state basketball tournament.
As yet another team found out the very hard way Wednesday night, the word normal definitely does not apply when it comes to describing defending Group I state champion Thrive Charter.
This point was again on full display in a Central Jersey semifinal as Thrive Charter (20-5) utterly destroyed Shore Regional by the score of 73-25 in a result that would have been even more lopsided if not for a running clock for the entire second half.
Next up for Thrive Charter is a sectional final on its home court on Saturday. It’s opponent will be Pt. Pleasant Beach, which beat Manville, 49-35, in the other semifinal.
Shore Regional arrived at the Iron Palace with 21 wins, but it instantly became totally apparent it was completely in over its head.
Before the game was even five seconds old Thrive was ahead, 3-0, when Javion Cesar-Jones converted a layup and a foul shot.
Before anyone could catch their breath, the lead was up to 15-0 as Marjon Skillman scored quick eight points, including four on a pair of slam dunks. Also in the first quarter, Sean Turner drained a couple of three-pointers and Cesar-Jones added six more points.
While all of this was going on, Thrive positively suffocated the Shore Conference team with a relentless full-court press.
Add it all up and it was a Thrive Charter with a 25-0 lead before finishing the first quarter ahead, 32-4.
“We held them to two points (actually four) in the first quarter, that’s what stands out to me,” said Thrive Charter coach Khalid Lewis. “We limited them to one shot and rebounded well. It seems like everything is starting to come together at the right time. Everyone is playing to their strengths.”
Shore Regional did a little better in the second quarter and only trailed by 35 points at the half, but then Thrive Charter once again came out ball hawking and running in the third quarter. This resulted in the lead growing to 68-20 after three quarters.
As if things weren’t lopsided enough, Ty Hobbs hit a three-point buzzer beater from far out to end the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter Thrive Charter cleared its bench and only scored two points itself. The fact the Titans only gave up five points in the last quarter tells you they were still playing tough defense.
Tyler Hammond led the Titans with 18 points and continued to shoot well by making four three-pointers. Skillman finished with 14 points and led his team in rebounds with eight. Turner scored 11 points and hit on a trio of three-pointers. Cesar-Jones was also in double figures with 10 points.
“We only have one goal and that’s to go back-to-back (in state championships),” said Lewis.
It’s going to take something truly special for anyone to stop this freight train.
SHORE REGIONAL (25)
A. Barham 0-0-0; Colon 2-0-4; R. Barham 2-0-5; Watson 4-1-10; Paulin 1-0-3; Banks 1-0-3. Totals: 10-1-25
THRIVE CHARTER (73)
Cesar-Jones 4-1-10; Hammond 6-2-18; Skillman 7-0-14; Turner 4-0-11; Page 1-0-2; Young 3-0-6; Bryson 2-0-5; Ross 1-0-2; Dickerson 1-0-2; Hobbs 2-0-5; Shaw 0-2-2. Totals: 31-5-73.
Shore Regional (21-7) 4 11 5 5 – 25
Thrive Charter (20-5) 32 18 21 2 – 73
Three-pointers: S-Barham, Paulin, Banks. TC-Cesar-Jones, Hammond 4; Turner 3, Bryson, Hobbs.
