Lawrence’s late surge against Ocean comes up short

HOPEWELL TWP. >> Sometimes you persevere and still get snakebitten.

That was the dilemma Friday for the Lawrence boys basketball team, which staged a late comeback against Ocean Township but fell short in the first round of the John Molinelli Holiday Classic at Hopewell, 52-51.

The Cardinals trailed for nearly the entire game after scoring the opening bucket. They kept themselves within striking distance long enough for Diesel Barnes’ layup to give them a 50-49 lead with 56 seconds remaining. Yahseer Oliver

extended it to a two-point cushion with a free throw 28 seconds later.

But on the ensuing possession, Jack Miller buried a clutch 3-pointer from the corner to seal Ocean’s win.

“We’re proud of the kids,” Lawrence coach Jeff Molinelli said. “They just kept working, and I think our pressure kind of affected them as the game went on. That kid hit a huge shot, and that’s the game of basketball. That’s why the game is special.”

The frustrating part for Lawrence, though, was a sluggish first quarter. The Cardinals struggled to finish on drives into the paint and turned the ball over frequently, leading to open looks for an Ocean team that thrives on spacing and outside shooting.

Ocean’s Corey Miller led all scorers with 17 points.

“That’s been kind of our MO in scrimmages and stuff, so that’s something we’re working on,” Molinelli said. “We’ve got to come out ready to play. You have to take advantage of every opportunity.”

Seniors Kareem Hemsley (11 points) and Shaun Johnson (nine points) and sophomore Gabe Mitchell-White (10 points) helped the Cardinals compete better after they trailed 14-4 at the end of the first quarter and 19-6 early in the second quarter.

Lawrence’s formidable athleticism was on display as the team showcased a variety of trapping and pressure defenses.

“We definitely have some speed, so we had to amp up pressure and get into their guards a little bit,” Molinelli said. “But their guards are good. That’s a good basketball team, and it’s definitely a good early challenge for us.”

The key going forward — starting with a consolation game against Hopewell Valley on Saturday — is consistency. Lawrence also lost in its season opener to West Windsor South last week.

“We worked hard this summer, we’re working hard every day in practice,” Molinelli said. “Opening night’s always tough. South’s good, and I knew this Ocean team was going to be good, but hopefully we’ll hit our stride when we need to hit our stride. I think we have all the pieces to be a very good basketball team.”

LAWRENCE (51)

Hemsley 4-2-11, Aiyar 1-0-2, Oliver 3-1-7, MitchellWhite 5-0-10, Rodriguez, 3-0-6, Johnson 3-2-9, Jones 2-0-4, Barnes 1-0-2.

Totals — 22-5-51.

OCEAN TWP. (52)

C. Miller 8-1-18, J. Miller 6-0-16, Meeks 4-0-8, Kelly 2-1-5, Savare 1-0-3, Peters 1-0-2.

Totals — 22-2-58.

Ocean Twp. (2-0) 14 13 13 12 — 52 Lawrence (0-2) 4151220—51 3-point goals: Hemsley, Johnson (L), J. Miller 4, C. Miller, Savare (O).