LINWOOD — Halfway through the boys basketball season and the Mustangs’ hot start has run into a speed bump.
Mainland Regional High School has hit a rough stretch of the season, losing four of their past seven games.
Last week they defeated Hammonton High School 53-42 on Jan 18. The Mustangs entered the fourth quarter down 2 points but took over late to win by 11.
Senior Cohen Cook led all scorers in the game with 17 points, followed by Jamie Tyson with 13. The Mustangs had everyone contribute as four players reached double-digit points in the contest.
However, two days later during the Jimmy Valvano Showcase at Central Regional High School, Mainland lost to Central Regional 57-51. It was Mainland’s fourth loss of the season and third loss by six or fewer points.
Mainland moved to 12-4 on the season and has six more games before the playoffs. They are scheduled to travel to Holy Spirit on Wednesday, Jan. 24, at 5:30 p.m. Two days later, on Friday, Cedar Creek visits the Mustang Corral at 6 p.m. Earlier this season, the Mustangs defeated both teams by a combined score of 136-70.
Finally, on Jan 29, the Mustangs will host the red-hot Ocean City Red Raiders. It will be the first matchup between the two rivals this season. Ocean City currently sits at 13-1 and will look to avenge the two losses to Mainland last year. Game time is 5:30 p.m.
Rocco DeBiaso did not light up the score board in their victory over Hammonton but did everything else to secure the win. The junior created offensive opportunities for his teammates with nine rebounds and six assists. Tyson also added nine rebounds and four assists to go along with his 13 points.
The Mustangs’ offensive game plan revolves around attacking the basket along with some mid-range jump shots. Unlike other teams, they do not take many three-pointers; Tim Travagline leads the team with 16 three-point shots this season.
After an impressive 9-0 start to the season, Mainland lost back-to-back one-score games. The Mustangs lost at home to Eastern Regional High School 62-59 in overtime Jan. 6. Their next game was another heartbreaking 49-48 loss to Atlantic City.
Eastern so far is 15-1 and Atlantic City is 12-3. All of Mainland’s losses this season are against some of the toughest teams around. Central Regional improved to 11-3 as they pulled away from Mainland late in the fourth quarter.
A place where the Mustangs can improve is at the free throw line.
In the win against Hammonton, they made only nine free throws out of 17 attempts. In the one-point loss to Atlantic City, the Mustangs missed 13 free throws.
Cook and the rest of the starters constantly put up double-digit points as individuals. But if opposing teams start to foul them more in high-pressure situations, the Mustangs’ woes at the free throw line could cost them greatly.
By WILLIAM TRUITT/For the Sentinel