Schools
Ridge Comes from Behind to Down Bridgewater, 36-25
After scoring only 2 points in the first quarter, the Red Devils rallied to win their home opener.
Nick Cefalo had a double-double and Christian Frisoli put up a team high in points as the Ridge Red Devils overcame a half-time deficit to convincingly beat the Bridgewater-Raritan Panthers 36 – 25.
Cefalo had 11 points, 10 rebounds, 7 assists and four steals in a sublime performance, complimented by teammate Frisoli's 14 points and 5 rebounds. Conor Skea had another dominating performance on the boards bringing down 12 rebounds to top last games' 11. Tom Gambino also played well grabbing four rebounds as well as scoring four.
Ridge started off slow, scoring only 2 points in a sloppy first quarter as Bridgewater pulled away by 5 points. The Devils came back in the second quarter scoring thirteen to rush back into the game. However, Sal Vitiello constantly hounded Ridge's defense, scoring all of his ten points in the first half.
While Vitiello was creating problems for Ridge defense, Derek Beck came up big on defense, throwing down three thunderous blocks to deny Ridge's offense.
Down by only two at the half, Ridge head coach Mark Taylor noted Vitiello's first half performance. "The key was we were just not going to let him touch the ball," said Taylor about the second half. Putting J.D. Moore and Ryan Gerrity on Vitiello, Taylor succeeded in holding Vitiello scoreless in the second half.
With Vitiello no longer a threat, the Devils began to dominate the game, winning the third quarter by two and tying the game going into the fourth.
Frisoli heated up in the second half, scoring two vital threes in each quarter to dampen the Panthers' spirits. Cefalo was perfect at the line in the second half after missing two in the first.
Ridge had 31 – 25 lead with 3 minutes left in the game, when frustration got to Bridgewaters' Trevor Beasty, who was hit with a technical foul. Cefalo hit all four free throws giving Ridge a ten-point lead. With one more free throw, Ridge completed a dominant fourth quarter performance and got the victory.
"It was a tough loss, I give a lot of credit to Ridge and their pressure" said Bridgewater head coach Gene McAteer. Taylor also had a lot of praise for his defense, "we're the best defensive team I've ever coached, and I've coached very, very good teams," he said after the game.
Ridge will welcome Colonia (Len Sepanack Tournament) in their next game on Dec. 26.
