Blake Ahmann Powers No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven past No. 6 Manasquan

By David Smith – Shore Sports Insider Correspondent

MANASQUAN – For the past seven years, the Manasquan High School gymnasium has been a house of horrors for the Rumson-Fair Haven boys basketball program. The Bulldogs saw their season end there in the Central Jersey Group 2 sectional final in both 2024 and 2025. In total, Rumson-Fair Haven had lost nine straight games in the series dating back to their last victory in February of 2018. Armed with a new senior class and head coach, the Bulldogs, ranked third in the Shore Sports Insider Top 10, exorcised some demons with a resounding 65-47 victory over the Warriors, ranked sixth in the Shore Sports Insider Top 10 behind a monstrous double-double from senior forward Blake Ahmann who finished with a career-high 31 points and 18 rebounds.

After a back-and-forth first half that led to a 32-30 Bulldogs lead going into the break, head coach George Sourlis said the message at halftime was simple: “stay the course.”

“Manasquan is a great team. They’re tough, disciplined, and well-coached,” Sourlis said. “We knew they weren’t going to go away. We just had to keep executing and get the ball where it needed to go, and our kids did that.”

Ahmann scored 12 points during a monstrous 20–3 run in the third quarter that turned a one-point Rumson-Fair Haven lead into a comfortable advantage. Much of Ahmann’s production came from effort plays and exceptional footwork around the basket.

“A lot of it was loose balls and putbacks,” Ahmann said. “I know if it’s one-on-one, I’m going to attack the basket. If they help, I trust my teammates to make shots. I saw the floor well tonight,” Ahmann noted.

Freshman guard Clint Martin added a nice boost for the Bulldogs, giving Rumson-Fair Haven 13 points, while also doing a great job of competing down low with Manasquan’s stout interior defense, including senior forward Jack O’Reilly, and junior forward Logan Cleveland, both of whom were held to single digits for the Warriors.

While Manasquan continues to not have the services of injured returning First Team All-Shore junior guard Rey Weinseimer, the win came for the Bulldogs despite playing without seniors Luke Cruz and Drew Cavise, while also receiving no scoring from second-leading scorer Luke Lydon. Sourlis credited Ahmann for setting the tone in Cruz’s absence.

“He does all the little things,” Sourlis said. “He’s tough, unselfish, and plays the right way. For him to have a night like this is special, and it couldn’t have happened to a better kid, especially for what he’s gone through.”

This is the first true season of varsity experience for Ahmann, who battled injuries throughout his high school career.

As Manasquan sent extra defenders in the post during the second half, Ahmann adjusted, helping organize the offense and keep the Bulldogs in control.

“When they collapse, I know where my shooters are,” Ahmann said. “If they don’t, I’ll finish. That’s just how we play.”

Rumson-Fair Haven improved to 11-2 overall and 3-1 in Class A North.

Manasquan dropped to 7-5 overall and 3-1 in Class A North. Luke Winn led the Warriors with 17 points, scoring in bunches at all three levels, while the rest of the Warrior roster was held to single digits, with Logan Cleveland’s nine points being the runner-up.

Rumson-Fair Haven’s approach moving forward remains unchanged, no matter the opponent, the place, or situation.

“Although it may not be playoff time just yet, we’re going to give everything we have every night,” Ahmann said. “We treat every game like it’s our last.”