Ridge collides with Gill St. Bernard's again

Ridge has been on this stage before.

They've made the Somerset County Tournament final the last two years. But in those contents against Watchung Hills and Immaculata, the Red Devils came up on the short end.

This year, the team's four seniors – Nick Cefalo, Christian Frisoli, Andrew Madlinger and Rob McCarthy – that still have the bitter taste left in their mouths from those losses, this is it for them; one final chance.

One final game to put the memories of those past losses to bed but in a strange twist of faith, the Red Devils are facing a team that's in a similar position they were in two years ago.

It's Gil St. Bernard's (18-5) first appearance in the finals. But don't let the so-called inexperience fool you.

Ridge, which comes into the contest Saturday at Franklin High School (tip is at 3 p.m.) with a record of 20-5 overall, defeated Gill 67-66 in overtime on the road back on Jan. 28. Frisoli hit the game-winning shot before the buzzer sounded.

But as Ridge junior Conor Skea pointed out earlier in the week, "they've been playing together since they were young."

The team is stacked, especially in the frontcourt led by 6'6" sophomore Dominic Hoffman, who's averages 12 rebounds a game and scored 18 against Ridge last time out. They also have key complimentary players down low in versatile forwards sophomore Morgan Dixon and senior Louis Valdes.

Their strength, like Ridge, lies in the backcourt with freshman guard Jaren Sina and sophomore Alex Mitola. But one of their key bench players, sophomore guard Mike Hyland, may miss the contest with an ankle injury.

"They have a well-rounded team and have many finishers on offense," said Madlinger.

Now the question is will the two teams play another memorable game? It seems likely but you never know how it will play out.

One thing is for sure, the Red Devils have gotten more potent on offense lately.

First, the Red Devils have a healthier Madlinger, who at the time of the last meeting with Gill, was still working his way back from a wrist ailment. The senior sniper scored 26 points on senior night in their win over North Hunterdon and has scored a combined 41 points in the team's last two games.

Skea is aggressive and much more fearless now when driving to the hoop. His pinpoint play in the win over Watchung Hills was the difference.

And lastly, junior center Tom Gambino has become a force down low. He's become more assertive down low on offense, especially with his short hook shot, developed more consistency on the boards and more adept at altering shots. His defense on Hoffman will be the key to the game. Whoever gets in early foul trouble, it could spell doom because the teams don't go deep off the bench with size.

But Gil comes in on a hot streak, having won nine of its last 10 games. Their only loss during that span was to power St. Patrick, 75-58, back on Jan. 31.

If you are around the Franklin High School area Saturday, drop in and see what's the fuss is about. You may witness another classic.