Piners advance to Holiday Jubilee semifinals
Jackson boys search for their shooting touch
BY MIKE WHITE
Staff Writer

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY staff Above, Lakewood’s Chris Smith drives to the hoop with authority during the Piners’ win over Pleasantville on Monday in Neptune. At left, Lakewood’s Josh Johnson is fouled as he tries to score from the paint.

NEPTUNE — The Lakewood High School boys hoops team doesn’t always play pretty, team basketball, but when it does, it can be very good.

The Piners proved that once again on Monday, knocking off Pleasantville, 64-50, in the quarterfinals of the Holiday Jubilee Tournament at Neptune High School. With the win, the Piners advanced to yesterday’s semifinals, where they were set to face host Neptune, a 60-55 quarterfinal-round winner of Sayreville.

Junior Chris Smith and sophomore Jerry Jones each scored 16 points to lead the Piner effort on Monday, in a game marred by turnovers from both teams. Lakewood had 16 turnovers in the first half alone, yet still went into the break leading 26-16.

In the second half, the Piners’ athleticism was too much for Pleasantville to handle, as Lakewood repeatedly turned Greyhound misses into fast breaks and easy baskets at the other end. Along with Smith and Jones, senior center Josh Johnson was also an offensive force, scoring eight points and grabbing seven rebounds, while Philip Gunter added 13 points, many coming on fast break opportunities.

In addition, sophomore guard Izaiah Tucker played well at the point, scoring six points, and pestering the Pleasantville guards with his defense.

Jackson boys team

struggling early on

Listen to Jackson High School boys basketball coach Mike Antenucci speak, and you can hear the frustration in the tone of his voice.

Antenucci knew this would be a difficult season. After going 19-6 a year ago, the Jags, with only one returning starter in senior Jed Marquez, are off to a slow start.

A 57-46 loss to Ocean in a consolation round game at the WOBM Christmas Tournament on Sunday dropped Jackson to 1-3 overall.

“It’s not because of a lack of hustle or intensity,” Antenucci said. “We’re just not finishing our shots. We are definitely struggling at this point and time. Our offense is getting us good looks at the basket, but we’re not taking advantage of it. I think our inexperience is showing a bit.”

Jackson’s perimeter shooting has been atrocious. The Jags are connecting on just 30 percent of shots from the field. Even worse, Jackson is just 4-of-51 from behind the three-point arc.

“We need to improve on making more shots,” Antenucci said. “Anytime you shoot as poorly as we have, winning games can be tough. Perimeter shooting was supposed to be our strong point this year. So far, we haven’t shot the ball well from the field.”

Marquez put forth a big effort in the loss. Playing in his best game to date, Marquez was a force both inside and out, notching a game-high 27 points.

“He had a good game for us,” Antenucci said. “He’s been playing well. He is really the only guy we have who has extended varsity experience. There is a big difference between playing jayvee and varsity level competition. The rest of our guys are finding that out.”