Sterns Trailers shocks Sea View Jeep 123-95

By Walter J. O’Neill, Jr.

Leading scorer for Sterns Trailer in the 123-95 win over Sea View Jeep was Jordan Derkack (25) with 39 points. Playing defense for Sea View Jeep is Kevin Telesford (15) and Ailhan Demir (24).

Game two of the opening night of the 56th season of the Jersey Shore Basketball League featured two of the best teams in the league for the past 10-years. Sterns Trailer, which are going for their third consecutive league title, beat Sea View Jeep 123-95.

Sterns Trailer, owned by Fred Stern and managed by Ron Pastore, entered the JSBL in 1989. Since 2004 they have appeared in nine finals and have won in 2005, 2012, 2022 and 2023. June 26, the first night of the 2024 season, Sterns didn’t have a full team. “Some of our guys are just getting back from playing professionally overseas and a few are in the process of signing new contacts to play professionally,” said Pastore. He added, that next week the team should be at full strength.

Sea View Jeep entered the league in 1986. They are owned and coached by Tyler Schmelz. They have appeared in six JSBL championship games and won all six. Their first was in 1993 followed by 2004, 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2021. They feature Justin Robinson, Monmouth University graduate and professional player, who is a fan favorite.

Sterns opened up with a 39-30 first quarter lead. In the second, they outscored Sea View Jeep 35-23 taking an impressive 74-53 lead into the halftime break.  Leading Sterns Trailer in the first half was 6’5” guard Jordan Derkack, who is a graduate of Colonia High School and a part of the Scarlet Knights of Rutgers University. He had 26 first half points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Kevin Mateo, a graduate of Hackensack High School and a member of the National Champions of Brookdale Community College, had 21 points for Sterns. He also pulled in six rebounds and had seven assists, one block and one steal.

Robinson, had only 17 point first half points, and four assists. It was not a typical start for Robinson, who holds the scorning average record of 48.8 points per-game in the JSBL and was inducted into their 55th Anniversary Hall of Fame last season.

Getting 12 first-half points for Sea View Jeep was 6’6” Tyrone O’Garro. He played at Monmouth University and Fairleigh Dicknson and is a current professional in Argentina. He also had two rebounds and four assists in the opening half.

In the third quarter, Sterns Trailer outscored Sea View Jeep 31-23. Late in the third quarter, Robinson was getting frustrated with the officiating and defensive play by the Sterns Trailer players. Well, that must have been the spark that ignited Robinson, as he started to play at the level his fans were hoping for.

The final quarter of regulation play had Sea View Jeep finally outscoring Sterns Trailer 19-18. JSBL rules allow for a running game clock if an opponent has at least a 25 point advantage, and Sterns had that and that is why the fourth quarter had a low point total.

Robinson finished with 37 points, two rebounds, seven assists and two steals for Sea View in the 125-93 loss to Sterns Trailer. O’Garro had 21 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and one steal.

For the winners, Derkack ended up with 39 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and one block. Mateo had 34 points, his strongest showing in JSBL action. He also had nine rebounds, 10 assists, three steals and one block.

“Our guys played really good tonight, I’m very proud of their effort,” said Pastore. Next week, Pastore hopes to have Moses Brown, who is in the NBA G-League, Myles Cale from Seton Hall and professional in Belgium, Geo Baker from Rutgers, RJ Cole from UConn, Kessly Felizor who plays professionally in Spain, Zach Martini from Rutgers, Caleb McConnell from Rutgers and NBA G-League, Larry Smith, and Malik Wineglass who plays professionally in Colombia.

For more information on the JSBL please visit https://jsbl.leaguerepublic.com/index.html

Additional photos of this game and many others can be viewed at www.Facebook.com/TheLinkSports

Having a great game for Sterns Trailer in the win over Sea View Jeep was Kevin Mateo (3). He finished with 34 points, nine rebounds and 10 assists.

Going up for two of his game-high 26 points is Parker Dorch (31) of Sterns Trailer during the win over Sea View Jeep.

Justin Robinson (8) of Sea View Jeep races past Parker Dorch (31) and Jordan Derkack (25) of Sterns Trailer as he scores two of his game-high 37 points. Sterns Trailer won the game 123-95.