Living On the Edge at the WOBM Classic

With 3.7 seconds left in overtime and the score tied, Toms River North's remarkable run in the WOBM Christmas Classic was hanging on life support, with St. Rose junior guard Jim Rockstedt at the free throw line taking two shots.

The Mariners had run with the defending 2010 Christmas Classic champion Roses all night long, but it looked as if their run was about to be squashed, as Rockstedt was fouled going up on a rebound and needed to make just one to break the tie. Luckily for the Mariners, both shots were missed and North had another chance in a second overtime.

North made the most of it. Sean Martin completed a three-point play at the foul line with a minute left and North went on to win 46-43 at Pine Belt Arena. The Mariners will face Jackson Memorial, a 52-44 winner over Toms River South, in the final at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.

"With a game as good as it was, the last thing we wanted to do was watch the game end on the free throw line," said Mariners coach Rory Caswell. "When both shots were missed it was a huge relief, we had a second life and a chance to keep fighting."

For North, fighting is something they have done a lot this tournement. After defeating Central Regional in the first round, the sixth-seeded Mariners beat the No. 3 seed, Manchester, on Monday before beating St. Rose on Wednesday.

"I'd much rather play these games early in the season, getting the boys ready for the stretch run toward the end of the season," said Caswell, of playing in tight games.

Through the first half, the Mariners maintained a three-point lead. Martin, a forward, and junior forward Solly Standbury established an early inside presence that St. Rose did not have an adequate answer for all night. Martin scored a team-high 16 points while Stansbury finished with eight.

North junior guard Damien Singleton had a solid preformance, scoring seven of his 11 points in the first half.

"We wanted to pound the ball inside early as much as possible," said Caswell. "It opens up more space up top for our guards."

The Roses held a two-point lead at the end of the third quarter and kept things tight thanks to their 3-point shooting. They hit eight 3s -- five by junior Connor Leddy, who had 17 points.

"Each game so far this season its been a different guy stepping up," said Caswell. "Today we had multiple kids step up."

In the other semifinal, Toms River South fell behind 6-0 early, but was led back by an inspired performance by Elija Dupree, who had 13 first half points and three 3-pointers, putting the team on his back as Toms River South held a 23-21 half time lead.

"I just told them they needed to wake up," said South coach John MacIntosh, talking about what he said to the team in an early timeout following the flat start.

Dupree got in foul trouble covering Jackson's Brandon McDonnell, however, and was only able to score two points in the second half. The rally faded and Jackson clinched a berth in the title game.

"He did a great job playing man defense, but it was tough to get in a rhythm once you get into foul trouble," said MacIntosh. "Coming out of halftime, I knew Jackson was going to have a lot of energy. We tried to continue but we gave up too many wasy baskets; you can't do that against a team like that."

Sophomore Darious Hart had 10 points including three 3-pointers.

"Overall, I am pretty happy with the way the tournement has gone," said MacIntosh. "Tonight was a test of character, they are on another level right now. I think the effort was there all game though."

Meanwhile, in consolation games, Red Bank Catholic beat Wall 61-47 and Toms River East snuck by Central Regional 45-43.

Barnegat picked up its first win of the tournement against Brick 63-56 and Point Boro won its second game in a row after defeating Ocean 66-42.

Manchester beat Brick Memorial 71-52 and Lacey beat Southern 39-22 as well.