HAMMONTON — In their first game of 2025, the Mainland Mustang boys basketball team took on the Hammonton Blue Devils in a matchup of teams hoping to get their first win of the season.
Junior Luke Kerrigan scored 15 points off the bench for Mainland Regional High School, but the Mustangs eventually fell to Hammonton High School 67-45 on Jan. 2.
Hammonton buried Mainland early in the first half with a barrage of three-point shots. The Blue Devils made 11 three-pointers in the game, including six in the first half for a commanding 34-14 lead.
On offense, the Mustangs had to play catchup almost immediately and were forced into some rushed shots and passes. With a solid lead early in the game courtesy of the three-pointers, Hammonton stayed aggressive and clogged the passing lanes on defense. The Blue Devils came away with five steals, scoring off the fast break on each turnover.
With the loss, Mainland dropped to 0-6 amid a massive roster overhaul. The defending South Jersey Group III champion Mustangs lost all six of their top point scorers from a year ago.
Harrison LaMonaca and Collin Kummings are the lone seniors on the roster supported by some strong juniors. LaMonaca scored all 11 of his points in the second half and made a difference on the boards whenever he was in the game.
Mainland’s offense played better in the second half as Kerrigan scored 10 straight points for the Mustangs, but they could not make up significant ground.
After Mainland went on a run in the third quarter, Blue Devil Greg Smith got hot from beyond the arc and made four three-pointers in the third quarter alone. Smith finished the day with a game-high 17 points as his huge third quarter all but sealed the win for Hammonton.
Juniors Colt Russo and Griffin Fitzgerald lead the Mustangs in points scored so far this season and were key contributors in two overtime games.
Before the holiday break, the Mustangs took part in the Score at the Shore Tournament and faced off against Holy Spirit High School in a 55-54 overtime thriller Dec. 28. Mainland took the lead late in the fourth quarter but a clutch score by Holy Spirit sent the game into overtime.
The game slowed down heavily in the extra stanza, but Holy Spirit managed to pull out the win. Fitzgerald scored a season-high 18 points followed by Russo, who had 13 points.
Next up for the Mustangs is a long-awaited home game against Wildwood Catholic Academy on Jan. 9. It will be only Mainland’s second game in Linwood all season after a travel-filled start. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.
Mainland will start next week’s slate of games on the road against Millville High School on Jan. 13. Game time is 5:30 p.m.
The Mustangs have played three true road games as well as three neutral site games including another tight overtime loss to Overbrook High School in the Jimmy V Showcase on Dec 21. In that game Mainland fought back from a six-point deficit to force overtime. Russo scored 16 points, but they could not complete the comeback in the 47-45 loss.
Throughout the season so far, the young Mustang roster has shown flashes of solid play and are slowly gathering the game experience needed to put everything together.
– By WILLIAM TRUITT/For the Sentinel
