Number two Devils down Falcons

Dan Pillari (12) of Shore Regional goes in for two of his game-high 19 points, while Kyle Bradshaw (4) of Monmouth Regional attempts to block the shot.

By Walter J. O’Neill, Jr.
Shore Regional High School boys basketball fans can’t remember the last time a Blue Devils squad was ranked in the Shore Conference. Well, those fans will not forget the 2013 season as Shore has worked its way up as the number two team.

shoreshotswlb.com Connor Rogers goes in for two points to put Shore Regional ahead of Monmouth Regional.

Last week the Devils hosted Monmouth Regional in a Class A Central divisional battle. The Blue Devils have a new coach this season, Dave Emery, who is in his fourteenth overall season as a head coach. He took over a program that finished 12-14 last season, and going into the game against the Falcons, the Blue Devils had a 13-2 overall record.
Monmouth Regional, coached by Quinton Schwartz who is in his third season, has a much improved team this season. Last year the Falcons didn’t win a single game all season going 0-23. This year, Monmouth started hot and after losing a very close game to the Devils are now 5-11 overall and 3-8 in the division.
Shore didn’t run away with this game. In fact it came down to the last few minutes of the contest and a jump shot by senior guard Connor Rogers that gave the Devils the lead, which they would not give up. With just over two minutes left in the game Rogers hit the basket giving Shore a 57-56 lead.

shoreshotswlb.com Going in for a layup is Monmouth Regional’s Eddie Hendrex (33), who finished with 20 points in the 61-56 loss to Shore Regional.

Monmouth Regional had an opportunity to take back the lead with 54.8 seconds left in the game. Kenny Barrow, a junior forward, was fouled and had two foul shots. Unfortunately for the Falcons, Barrow missed both shots.
The final four points of the game were scored by the Blue Devils at the foul line. Dan Pillari, a junior guard for Shore, went to the line for a one-and-one. He hit both shots giving Shore a 59-56 advantage. With 18.2 seconds left in the game Monmouth Regional called a timeout. When the game resumed, Tyler Vivian, a senior at Shore Regional, stole the ball and was fouled with 14.7 seconds. Vivian made both foul shots and the Blue Devils won the game 61-56.
The importance of making foul shots was evident as Shore was perfect from the line making all 18 free throws. In the second half they went 12-for-12 from the line. Leading all Shore players with 19 points was Pillari.
Monmouth Regional had three players scoring in double digits. Eddie Hendrex was top man in a Falcon uniform with 20 points. Freshman Ny’Rhque Smith scored 13 and Kyle Bradshaw finished with 10 points. The Falcons fall to 5-11 overall and 3-8 in the Class A Central division.
Shore Regional improves to 14-2 overall and 10-1 in the division and are looking stronger each game. With the Shore Conference Tournament and the NJSIAA State playoffs just a few weeks away it’s perfect timing.