Rumson-Fair Haven Captures Ray Cervino Bracket Title
TOMS RIVER – It was an interesting road to the championship for Rumson-Fair Haven (6-0) in the 2025 Kevin Williams Christmas Classic. Rumson faced and overcame adversity in all three games including losing a 12-point lead in the second-half against Howell in the championship game. The Bulldogs responded and closed out the game with a 54-51 victory over second-seeded Howell. Senior Erin Reid finished with a double-double, 18 points and 15 rebounds. The Brown commit was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament, averaging 23 PPG and 14 RPG.
Erin Reid finished 18 points and was named the MVP of the Kevin Williams Christmas Classic. 12/20/25 Photo by Patrick Olivero
“Seeing Erin hoist that MVP trophy is really special because offense, defense, every big rebound we needed she grabbed it,” Rumson coach Dave Callahan said. “She is having just an incredible year and to see her get the recognition that she deserves really means a lot to all of us.”
Rumson led 31-22 at halftime and built that to 12 points early in the second half before the Rebels mounted a comeback. Junior Grace Smith, who made the All-Tournament Team, scored 11 of her team-high 20 points in the first half and Chloe Kelly knocked down two three-pointers to finish with 10 points for the Bulldogs.
“If you’re scouting us, Grace and Erin are getting 80-85% of our points,” Callahan said. “The other teams are going to throw the whole kitchen sink to stop them. Chloe is a great shooter and she was hot in the first half.”
Junior Kylee Beam led Howell’s comeback, finishing with a game-high 21 points. Beam drained a 3-pointer with 1:56 left in the game to give Howell their first lead since early in the first quarter, 49-48.
Howell junior Kylee Beam with the step on the baseline as Erin Reid defends during the Rumson Fair Haven vs Howell at the KWCC Christmas Classic at RWJBarnabas Health Arena in Toms River, . 12/30/25 Photo Credit: Tom Smith |
“We wanted to maintain our composure,” Reid said. “Howell is a great team and we knew that going in. We did not want any of our negatives to affect our positives and make sure we just stayed focused.”
Rumson immediately responded with a lay-up by Smith to make it 50-49 and then Reid created a turnover and found Kelly open for a lay-up to make 52-49. Howell had a chance to tie it with 4 seconds left but Beam’s three-pointer bounced off the rim.
In the opening round, Rumson trailed 15-5 to the eight-seed Manchester after the first quarter but battled back for a convincing 55-36 victory. Reid finished with 24 points and 12 rebounds in that game and Smith added 21 points.
The Bulldogs had a strong second-half in the semifinal round against Toms River East. Outscoring the Raiders 26-17 for a 50-41 victory. Reid finished with 27 points and 15 rebounds in that game.
Rumson received a boost with the return of Kelly who missed the opening round game due to illness. Not only did she add 10 points in the championship game, but her physical defense caused problems for both Toms River East and Howell.
Chloe Kelly finished with 10 points in championship game in the Kevin Williams Christmas Classic. 12/30/25 Photo by Patrick Olivero
“We started off the beginning of the season saying how defense is how we are going to win games,” Reid said. “ We have to pride ourselves on our defense. I feel like every team has one thing and we pride ourselves on making sure defense is ours.”
Rumson comes out of the holiday break undefeated and has two wins against top ten teams. The Bulldogs will play rival Shore Regional on Saturday before they begin the brutal Class A North schedule.
“Anytime you can win a championship with the great teams that were in this is an honor,” Callahan said. “The whole idea is we win games now, but the real important ones are in February. So we learn from our mistakes now so when February comes we are ready.”
