The Oratory Prep Rams basketball season has been strong, winning their last two games to improve to a 12-5 record. In conference play, the Rams are now 8-2, one loss coming from reigning champion SPF who sit atop the Mountain. The Rams were tied for first before they saw a 14 point halftime lead vs Rahway deplete at home, losing by one.
The Rams responded by beating Hillside away 58-47, in a game that they were down 7 early in the first half. The Rams have been without arguably one of the best players on their team Connor Lee, who was averaging 12 points a game and really starting to find his groove. Although this was a little piece of adversity for the Rams, they stood their ground and still got the job done on the road.
This would have to be repeated in order to win the conference, as SPF sits 10-1 waiting to play Oratory in their last matchup. New Providence is ranked last in the conference, but are always close in games because of their sharp shooting play, which must be payed extra attention to at their home court. The Rams closed at the first quarter ahead 18-16 thanks to four three points from Max Cook, two from Marcus Johnson, and one from Jack Olohan. The boys three point play would not stop there as they would go for a total of 11 three pointers in the first half alone. Although New Providence’s shooting was impeccable as well, the Rams were able to maintain a lead and extend it to 14 points at the break. The Rams third quarter troubles continued, allowing New Prov to creep back into the game a bit as they would get it to no less than 5. New Providence battle tested the Rams, but the Rams never stood down as they kept extending their lead as soon as it got close. OP added three more three pointers from Max Cook, Ryan Fay, and Will Kostka to put their three point total to 14, the most in a game all season. Ryan Fay led the scoring with a career high of 26 points with having a team leading five three pointers. Max Cook trailed him with four three pointers of his own, having a season high of 18 points as well. The Rams next play SPF at home in a must win game to keep their conference hopes alive before traveling across the street to Summit in a crucial rivalry matchup.
