Ridge Veterans Make Senior Night Special

Friday night was meant to honor the senior boys basketball players and their parents, for dedication to their sport, their team, and their school. They did all that, and won a basketball game, too, trouncing Union City 48-33.

The evening opened with the introduction of each of the four seniors: Tom Gambino, Conor Skea, J.B. Kole and Tyler Bliss.   

"This was all about the seniors," said Ridge coach Mark Taylor said, who took a different approach to the game. "I ripped up the scouting report and told them it was not about anyone else but us tonight."

Dylan Kerwin scored a game-high 14 points, as the boosts the team's record to 9-9.

The team came out fast, securing a 13-9 first-quarter lead. 

The second quarter was more of the same, with Ridge holding Union City to four points.

With the score 24-13 at the half, the faces on the Ridge bench were full of smiles.  But in the third period, an Achilles' heel for Ridge throughout the season, things got interesting.  

Union City would not go down lightly. Scoring 15 points, including three 3-pointers, the team looked to be mounting a charge. But the Red Devils were not to be denied and put up 17 of their own.

The final frame allowed Taylor to play a less aggressive offense and bring in his bench. Scoring in the period were seniors Bliss (two points) and Gambino (seven total points).

"The seniors had great intensity," Taylor said. "We are on a roll; we want to finish the season strong." 

The Red Devils take on Bridgewater-Raritan High School at Bridgewater on Monday night at 7.