BY VIN RAPOLLA
Staff Writer

After getting off to a 2-2 start this season, the Red Bank Regional boys basketball team went on a five-game winning streak and appeared to be hitting its stride.

Then came Sunday, and a match-up with St. Benedict’s Prep in the Battle of the Boardwalk in Asbury Park, and quite frankly, the Bucs were severely overmatched, dropping the contest, 72-47.

The Bucs, who are currently ranked third in the Shore behind Raritan and Christian Brothers Academy, stayed with the Gray Bees through most of the first quarter before a late 6-0 run gave St. Benedict’s a 16-9 lead heading into the second quarter.

It was never close from there, as the Bucs saw firsthand exactly what a nationally ranked high school team can play like when it’s clicking on all cylinders.

Although every loss is a tough loss, the Bucs and head coach Scott Martin weren’t particularly upset with the game’s outcome.

“They’re about as good a team as there is in the country,” Martin said. “They’re a loaded team who’ll send most of its players to Division I schools.”

Besides, the Bucs have more important things to worry about, like winning the Shore’s B North Division, and improving upon last season’s 21-6 campaign, when they advanced to the semifinals of the Shore Conference Tournament and the NJSIAA sectional final.

The Bucs came into the season with a strong core of returners, and featuring a starting lineup of four seniors and a sophomore.

“This year we’ve got capable players at every position,” said Martin.

Three-year starting point guard Keyron Sheard has been the team’s leader on the floor. It’s a role he fills well, having also been the starting quarterback on the football team the past couple of seasons.

“Keyron exclusively handles the ball for the team and sets the tone on both offense and defense,” said the coach. “He’s also got a real good cast around him.”

At forward is the team’s leading scorer, Rahmir Cottman. Cottman, who saw some varsity time last season, is also the team’s leading rebounder, and one of the top all-around athletes in the state.

Playing center is two-time all-state defensive tackle Kade Weston. The 6-5 center has been a true presence on the floor for the Bucs.

Rounding out the four senior starters is guard and all-around workhorse Andrew Gillman. This season is Gillman’s first as a varsity starter, but you wouldn’t know it by watching him play, according to his coach.

“The stats really don’t tell you the value of this player,” said Martin. “He does a little bit of everything for the team, and is a real workhorse.”

Sophomore forward Kyle Fitzgerald is the fifth starter, after serving as the team’s sixth man last year. Like Gillman, he hasn’t had a problem adjusting to the starting lineup.

Coming off the bench for the Bucs are point guard Eric Jones, a senior, and juniors Ryan Martin and John Sparling. All three have seen substantial time on the season.

With the second half of the divisional schedule set to begin, Martin and his squad know what it will take to get back to postseason in position to make another strong finish. They’re taking it one game at a time.

“We’re looking to just do better overall than last season,” said Martin. “We have to take care of business on our end of things. I think we have the talent, at this point we’re playing better ball now than in December, and we’ll look to play even better in February.”

The Bucs are facing a tough week, as they face off against Neptune — a team they haven’t defeated since 1999 — then go to Long Branch on Friday to play an improved Long Branch team.

Coming into the week, the Bucs were tied with a surprising Colts Neck team for the division lead at 4-1, with Long Branch just a game back at 3-2 in the division.

Red Bank was the preseason pick to emerge with the B North title, and remains the team to beat.