'Under' Dawgs Defeated in Shore Conference Final

The Rumson-Fair Haven Bulldogs showed no shame in their game, entering the basketball game against the Raritan Rockets as serious underdogs while playing their hearts out at a packed university arena.

With both teams overcoming a mild case of well-expected stage fright in front of thousands, the game unfolded into quite a show. Although the Bulldog's Kevin 'Pookie' Alter single-handedly kept his team in the game, pouring in 13 fourth quarter points, it wasn't enough to match the exemplary play of Raritan's Michael Aaman.

Aaman, a 6-8 Junior, scored a team-high 22 points to go along with a game-high 24 rebounds.  He was definitely the deciding factor in the Rocket's 43-35 win, and the main reason his team even found themselves center stage in the Shore Conference Final.

Ironically, Rumson-Fair Haven's smallest player, 5-7 Alter, was the fuel that fired his team's presence in the final. In front of a packed house at Brookdale College against Point Beach in the semi-finals, Alter kept his team in the game, eventually winning it with his late first half and end-of-game heroics.

The Bulldogs, seeded 13th, overcame two higher seeded teams, #4 Middletown North, and #8 Pt. Beach to make it to the finals for the first time. 

Alter ended up as the game's high scorer with 24 points.  The Bulldog's best chance to win the game came after the buzzer sounded ending the 3rd quarter.  They had outscored the opposition 18-16 in the 2nd and 3rd quarters to bring them within three points at the start of the 4th and final period.

For the first part of the last quarter the two teams traded quick buckets with the lead changing hands three times. At one point the 'Dawg Pound,' Rumson-Fair Haven's devoted fan-followers, erupted into a frenzied cheering rage as their team took its first lead of the night.

But victory wasn't meant to be as the Rocket's Aaman prevailed on the free-throw line, sinking four of four during the game's last half-minute.  Overall, Raritan was eight out of nine from the stripe, compared to the Bulldog's hitting only four of seven.

Bulldog's 2nd year Head Coach Chris 'Shempy' Champeau was humble as usual in losing the game, expressing pride in his team's effort just to have made it to the final for the first time in RFH basketball history. 

"They've been underdogs the whole season," Champeau said.  "I wish we would have won of course, but I'm extremely proud of everyone in the program."

Coach Shempy, as he's known to his local followers, has his sights set now on the State Tournament which begins Monday for the Bulldogs on their home court in Rumson.  Their opponent for the opening contest is to be announced.

Quick to comment on and commend the packed house for Friday night's game was Cheryl Stewart, MAC arena employee and a Rocket fan. She said, "I think it's great, this full house.  This game has more than some college games!"

So let the fans beware and be forewarned; if you're planning on coming out to Rumson-Fair Haven's gymnasium this Monday night to root for the once-again assuredly 'Under' Dawgs, come early. The Dawg Pound will most certainly be filling the bleachers, cheering their beloved Bulldogs to victory!