Sports

Ridge Boys Basketball, Now 10-2, Revives Winning Streak Against P'Burg Friday Night

Team had dropped game night before to Hillsborough, but returned with decisive Friday win.

After the team's second loss of the season against Hillsborough on Thursday night, the Ridge Red Devils boys basketball team (10-2) picked up the pace again with a home court win against Phillipsburg on Friday.

The Ridge Red Devils balanced approach "steam-rolled" the Phillipsburg State-Liners, with five Ridge players scoring 9 or more points for a 72-34 victory over the visiting team, according to the Red Devils Hoops website.

The Red Devils Hoops website said Derek Lyons led Ridge with a near triple double as he scored 11 points, grabbed 9 rebounds and dished out nine assists. Kevin Doolan (17 points) and Padraic Brady (13 points) were dead-eye from long range with three tri-fectas each, while Max Mahoney and Ryan Byrnes each chipped in nine points, according to information on the website.

Dan McCreesh added four points, Austin Melville, three, and Tom Chiriaco, Alex Wightman, and Andrew Kendall two each. During the game, Ridge had a season high 17 steals, lead by Doolan and McCreesh with four each, while four other players, Byrnes, Mahoney, Chiriaco and Jack Smith, each had two pilfers. 

Hats and shorts were to be sold at the Friday game, with a $25 Buffalo Wins gift card will be given away to a student in the student section who helps bring respected school support and spirit to the game, according to the Ridge High School Devil's Advocate web page.

Following a week with a major snowstorm, a game against North Hunterdon High School postponed as a result now is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday at home, said Ridge Head Boys Basketball Coach Brian Feath.

The Ridge Red Devil boys basketball team had been on a winning streak before losing to Montgomery the week before. On Thursday night, the team lost their second home game in a row in a battle with Hillsborough (8-2), 47-42.

Tight throughout the contest, Ridge struggled to penetrate the Raider zone defense and with their perimeter shooting.

Ridge leading scorers were Dan McCreesh and Derek Lyons, both with 12 points.
Lyons scored nine of his points in the fourth quarter. McCreesh had 3 3-point baskets for Ridge.

"Breakdowns and poor decisions; another opportunity to beat a good team and we kinda let it slip by," Feath said. "We will learn from this. We will get better.  The county tournament is a month away, we have a month to fix a couple of our mistakes." 

Phillipsburg  is 4-6 for the season.

Terry Boudreau contributed information to this report


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