Freshman Tyeera Howard leads Neptune to first Sectional Title since 2011

By Doug Brustman

LITTLE SILVER — Freshman Tyeera Howard scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Neptune girls basketball team — the No. 5 seed in its bracket — to a 55-50 win over No. 2 Red Bank Regional to win the Central Jersey Group 3 Championship Friday night in Red Bank’s home gym. Seniors Bre Evans and Christa Ramos, who won their first sectional title, scored 16 and 14 points, respectively.

“We’re back!,” exclaimed Neptune coach John Brown, who won his fifth sectional title with the Scarlet Fliers and first since 2011. “Just working hard, taking it day by day, believing in each other.  That’s how we got back to this point.”

“It’s great leadership. They (the seniors) have led two freshmen along during the season. But make no mistake, we aren’t here without our freshmen.”

Howard missed most of the season recovering from a knee injury, but quickly made an impact and proved she is one of the best freshmen in the Shore Conference.

“She (Howard) is a difference maker,” Brown said. “Anybody that watches the game knows that. As a freshman, she is a top 10 player in the Shore.”

Since being cleared to play on Jan. 27, Howard has averaged 14 points per game and during the NJSIAA playoffs she has averaged 19.5. She scored her career-high 21 points in the opening round against Hopewell Valley. 

“This was a blessing, I’m not going to lie,” said Howard.  “But this was fun and we get to continue playing. I feel like I put a lot of aggression into this game. Sitting half the season was frustrating and aggravating. It was an emotional process. I feel like since I’ve come back, our energy level has picked up.”

Red Bank took an early 9-8 lead, but wouldn’t have the lead again until it took a 37-35 lead with 3:27 left in the third quarter on a 3-pointer  by Kristen Connors. The Bucs had a 40-39 lead, but that lead would be erased on a buzzer-beating 25-footer by Evans as the clock expired to end the third quarter with Neptune leading 42-40.  

“It was in the moment,” Evans said. “It was the best buzzer-beater of our season I would say. I felt that really brought us back together going into the next quarter.”

Red Bank senior Caroline Polloway did her best to keep the Bucs close, scoring 19 points and grabbing nine rebounds. The Bucs chances of winning the title took a big hit when junior Synai Blychanton (16 points) fouled out with 7:00 remaining in the game. Another contributing factor in the loss was Red Bank’s 11-for-23 shooting from the free-throw line.

Free-throw shooting was an issue for both teams, with Neptune shooting 19-for-31, but one player that did not struggle was Ramos. She shot a perfect 6-for-6, including two with 15 seconds left to make it 55-50. 

Now, Neptune looks to continue its deepest postseason run since winning the second of two consecutive Group III championships in 2010-11. The Scarlet Fliers will face South Jersey champion Cherry Hill West at Deptford High School Tuesday at 5 p.m., with a spot in the state final at stake.

“The pressure is always going to be there. It is how we handle the adversity,” Brown said. “I’d say winning three straight road games to clinch the title shows just how good the Scarlet Fliers are at handling adversity.”