OP Rams Basketball has earned their way to a 5-1 record for now the second straight year. The crazy part about this is that only one returning starter is back to the lineup. Due to graduation and the transfer portal, Max Cook is now the only returning member of this starting 5. After beating Passaic Valley and JP Stevens, the Boys in Blue lost their Christmas tournament to Hillsborough for the third straight year.The bad news was that coming off a loss they would now have to play division rival Summit at home followed by a trip to Rahway. Although this was the case the boys were 100% up to the task.
The Oratory Prep Rams hosted the Summit Hilltoppers in their second divisional game of the season. The Rams sat 1-0 in the Mountain at the time while Summit sat 1-1 with their win coming against Cranford and loss against SPF. The Rams were able to use their great stopping defense and offense to slide past the Hilltoppers 46-35. Brandon Lissade was awarded the Big State Sports Player of the Game after the game, leading the way with 16 points and 6 rebounds. Max Cook made his season debut this game and had 7 assists and 6 points, winning “The Ram Chain.” The boys with this win had now sat 2-0 in the division with a away date with Rahway.
Tied 60 a piece with only 23 seconds left in the game, Oratory had the ball. Junior Ryan Fay called out a play that would make them move the ball around long enough to have the final shot. Who did he give it to but Will Kostka. Will proceeded to dribble in the middle of the lane, jump stop, pivot and made a beautiful off-handed layup. Kostka finished his day with 8 points, which is also his career high. Junior Ryan Fay also had a day with 19 of his own, followed by both Brandon Lissade and Max Cook 16 and 12. The Rams now are 5-1 for their overall record and sit a top the Mountain Division at a 3-0 record.
