RBR boys looking for repeat performance Class A Central champs from a year ago want to get back to the top BY DOUG McKENZIE Correspondent This season's Red Bank Regional boys basketball team is a very different teamfromlast year's 23-4 Shore Conference ClassACentral championship team. Sure, the Bucs are still winning games, and sure, they find themselves in the hunt for another divisional crown. But as head coach ScottMartinwill tell you, all of the successes enjoyed by his 9-3 teamhave beenmuch harder to come by this time around. "We haven't blown anyone out this year like we did last year," the coach said. "We're scoring about 52 points a game, and giving up about 47, so we're not beating anyone by 20 points." However, RBR is still playing like one of the top teams in the Shore, just not on Saturday, when they were shocked by a Holmdel team that few expected to challenge the sixth-ranked Bucs. "We lost toHolmdel on Saturday and that was a disappointing loss for us, because up to that point we've found ways to win those close games," Martin said. "I have to give credit toHolmdel, because that's a teamthat has been decimated by injuries andwas playing without its two best players. But they came out and took it to us. "I told the guys that it took a perfect stormfor themto beat us, and that's exactly what happened. Everything that needed to happen for them to beat us happened." Red Bank seemed to be in control of Saturday's game before a 15-8 Holmdel run in the fourth quarter put the host Hornets on top by three in the waning minutes. RBR senior guard Will Sanborn kept his team alive with a clutch threepointer with just three seconds to play that tied the game, however, Holmdel still managed to win the game, 61-57, in overtime when the Bucs' cold shooting continued in the extra session. "They shot the lights out the entire game," Martin said. "And we didn't shoot well from the foul line. We went five-for- 15, so we lost the game there. It's very unusual for us because we usually shoot about 70 percent from the line, which is as good as any team I've had." RBR can't afford to dwell on the disappointing loss, as they have two important games this week that will decide if they still have a shot at defending their divisional crown. RBR played an improving Red Bank Catholic teamon Tuesday, andwill face division leaderManasquan tonight. "We haven't played them yet, so tonight's game will go a long way towards deciding if we still can defend our title," Martin said. "We came into the season looking to defend our title and win our Christmas tournament (the Buc Classic), which we did." If the Bucs are going to add to their résumé this season, they're going to need to strike a new balance in their offense. Sanborn and fellow senior Matt Pebole have been carrying the scoring load this season, with a number of other players stepping up at times with big games. "Those two guys have been amazing," Martin said. "I think they're as good a 1-2 punch as there is in the Shore. They both are averaging about 20 points a game, and Matt is also grabbing about 13 boards a game. Will is a good passer toowho is always good for a few three-pointers every game." The problem, at times, has been finding that third scoring option. "Our team defense is what keeps us in the game, and usually, Matt and Will can get their points," Martin said. "The rest of the scoring comes fromdifferent guys on different nights. (Senior)Mike Pignataro has done a nice job for us on the boards, while Kyle Grant has also had some big games. "Our point guard (senior) Eric Raybon is a real tough defender who can knock down the open shot when it's given to him. We really missed him on Saturday, when he got in early foul trouble. (Holmdel) had a really good point guard who took advantage of Eric not being in there." Senior Mike Herchakowski is another player Martin credited with playing well for the Bucs this year. "Matt and Will are such good players that they get so much attention from the opposition," Martin said. "So our other guys need to step up. So far it's been a different cast of characters every night. When we've struggled it's been because we haven't had the other guys step up." Looking beyond the divisional race, RBR is also thinking about another successful postseason run.While the Bucs have already clinched a state tournament berth, they are still two wins shy of locking up a berth in the Shore Conference Tournament. "That's one of the things that hurts you about Saturday's loss (to Holmdel), because of the seeding in the SCT," Martin said. "If Holmdel doesn't make the SCT then that becomes a bad loss for us, and they carry more weight than the big wins." However, Martin knows that regardless of the Bucs' seed in the postseason, RBR has the ability to play with anyone in the Shore, as long as the offensive balance is there. "We're going to go as far as the other guys can take us," the coach said. "If they can knock down some shots for us, we're going to be tough to beat."