If you attended last night’s talent show at Toms River High School North and were not notified in advance there was another event taking place on the campus you might have been jolted when you pulled into the parking lot.

That other event, the semifinals of the Shore Conference Boys Basketball Tournament, brought a lot of people to the Pine Belt Arena and the parking lot looked like a busy mall just before Christmas. I know because I was the public address announcer and we spent a good portion of the night telling people to move their cars or they might be moved for them.

The SCT is without question the highlight of the basketball season at the shore and last night the top two seeds scored impressive victories to set up an all non-public final. #1 ranked Mater Dei Prep was too much for Toms River North even on the Mariners home court as the Seraphs won their 20th consecutive game 62-50.

You might remember about this time a year ago it appeared the school was about to close but a desperate effort saved it and boosted by 9 transfers and a new coaching staff Mater Dei Prep is in the Shore Conference Tournament Finals for the first time since 1984. Kyle Elliot, who was at Marist last year, led a balanced Seraphs attack with 17 points and was the I’m Possible Training/Ocean Trophies Player of the Game as the Shore Sports Network broadcast last night’s doubleheader.

The other semifinal in front of a frenzied crowd with large and loud student sections saw second-seeded CBA top Manasquan 53-41 to reach the championship game for the third straight year. The Colts, who have won the SCT 16 times but not since 2010 were led by 6’8 Lehigh University bound Pat Andree who scored 24 points and is closing in on 2000 for his illustrious career.

He broke open a close game by scoring the first 7 points on the 3rd quarter as CBA took control much to the joy of the “Colt Crazies” decked out in beach attire like it was the middle of summer. Andree was selected as the I’m Possible Training/Ocean Trophies Player of the Game.

The tournament, which dates back to 1937 will conclude Saturday at Monmouth University. The girls championship game at 5pm will match St. John Vianney against Manasquan and then it will be Mater Dei Prep and CBA meeting for the boys bragging rights of the jersey shore.

More From Beach Radio