Neptune Explodes for 83 Points as Richardson Drops 25
By Mike Ready
Neptune – Senior guard Shakeem Richardson can finally let go of his team’s 51-49 buzzer beating loss to 10th ranked Red Bank Regional (10-6,4-5) three weeks ago after scoring 25 points and igniting Neptune to it’s highest offensive output in years, as they beat the Bucs 83-66 Thursday at Neptune High School.
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“It was definitely in the back of my mind,” Richardson said. “As a team we all wanted to avenge that loss. We gave that game to them; we missed free throws, layups and just didn’t play good as a team. We needed to come out and show them who the better team is.”
“We want to win all our games and we feel we should’ve won at Red Bank,” Neptune coach Ken O’Donnell said. “But they played a good game and beat us at the buzzer. We played hard today and got the win; all division games are important this time of the year.”
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Richardson was undoubtedly on a mission to erase the memory of that loss and appeared transcended to a higher plane and into the zone, as he played perhaps his best all-around game of the season.
Shooting 69 percent from the field, including 3-for-5 from 3-point range and a perfect 4-for-4 from the foul line, Richardson was not to be denied. His determination showed at both ends of the court, as he played a brilliant end-to-end game. Not only did he lead the team in scoring, he was tops in rebounds (6), assists (7), steals (5), 3-pointer’s (3), minutes played (31:12) and tied for blocked shots with one.
“Shakeem shot the ball very well today,” O’Donnell said. “When he gets set; he doesn’t miss. We look to Shakeem; he’s our leader. He’s been on varsity for four years and I don’t think he’s missed a practice; he’s a good one.”
Neptune (10-5, 8-2), ranked No.6 in the Shore Conference, held a 20-17 lead after a tight first quarter. Junior guard Kerry Kirkwood hit for nine of his 14 points in the quarter, including a 3-pointer to give the Fliers a quick 5-0 lead. Richardson’s first 3-pointer spotted the Flyers a 16-12 advantage at 2:22.
Red Bank was held scoreless for the first 3:48 of the second quarter and to only seven points the entire quarter. Junior forward Micah Kerr grabbed a rebound off the offensive glass and scored on a put back as he was fouled, completing the three-point play for a 31-23 Flyer lead with 2:45 showing on the clock. Richardson’s second 3-pointer from far in the corner at the buzzer handed Neptune a 36-24 halftime lead.
On Red Banks initial possession of the third quarter, Richardson stole the ball and drove the length of the court before laying it in for two points. Richardson went 4-for-4 from the field, including his third 3-pointer, in the first 3:30 of the quarter for a 45-31 lead at the 4:30 mark.
Kerr’s behind the back dribble to the hoop and lay in gave the Fliers a 16-point lead with three minutes left in the third as he unquestionably began to feel more comfortable with his game. Kerr then flashed his outside shooting touch, hitting from far in the corner just inside the 3-point arch at the 1:40 mark before hitting the final two shots of the quarter, including a buzzer beater for a 60-43 lead at the end of three quarters.
“I was very pleased the way Micah played,” O’Donnell said. “He’s just coming back from an injury earlier this season and hasn’t seen much varsity playing time. He had an outstanding game and expect to see more from him.”
Richardson again got the Fliers off to a fast start to begin the fourth quarter, hitting two quick buckets while Kerr stayed hot scoring six fourth-quarter points and finished the game with 17 points and five rebounds, including three off the offensive glass.
Junior Forward Diondre Dunn netted four fourth-quarter points and ended with 10 points for the game. He also pulled down four boards and dished an assist. In addition to his 14 points, Kirkwood added three boards and five assists.
Sadiq Palmer led the Bucs with 19 points and eight rebounds while Jimmy Ferrogine added 17 points and four boards in stellar performances by both players.
“We’re playing at a really high level right now,” Richardson said. “Everyone’s on the same page and playing hard. I think we can make a tremendous run in the states and the Shore Conference Tournament; we’re all looking forward to that.”
“This was our best effort in a long time,” O’Donnell said. I don’t remember the last time we scored 80+ points. We passed the ball well today; we have good ball handlers who found the open man. We made the second pass and got some layups. You can’t pick and choose, but if we can continue to play like we did today we should be okay. This was our best offensive performance in over two years.”
The Fliers are one game behind Matawan in the Shore Conference Class B North standings. Both have one division game remaining before they meet February 14 at Matawan for what most likely will be for the division crown.
