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Schools

Absegami Basketball Player Lamar Monroe Off to Fast Start

The girls' basketball and wrestling teams lost their season openers

Lamar Monroe’s career high entering this season was 19 points.

However, this is a new season for the Absegami High School basketball
player.

Monroe scored 29 points in the Braves’ season opening victory over Cedar Creek.

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It took him just one game to eclipse his new career high by scoring 30
points in a loss to Atlantic City.

“I just went out and played,” said Monroe. “I just wanted us to win and do
whatever I can do to get the team a W.”

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“He is playing solid,” Absegami coach Mike Bult said. “He is just excited
about being a leader and he is playing solid, playing that way. He is playing
in his realm, everything is coming naturally. He isn’t doing anything out of
control. He is shooting a high percentage.”

Monroe and the Braves have been getting out in the open floor, scoring many of their baskets in transition. Monroe has also hit several shots from beyond the arc, including three against the Pirates.

Monroe said he worked on his game six days a week in the offseason.

“My court awareness,” said Monroe when asked what skill improved the most. “I used to dribble with my head down. I want to get my assists up.”

Monroe and the Braves found themselves down by 20 against the Vikings in
the third quarter, but rallied back to take the lead.

However, Atlantic City pulled away in the final minutes.

“I’m very happy with the way we have played,” Monroe said. “We have heart and intensity. I think we will be good if we play the way we are playing."

“One thing we can take away from that game is that this team has a lot of
heart,” Bult said. “The boys have been as determined as I have seen in a while. It’s just great to see their desire and the way they pulled together.
They are doing what are asked to do.”

The Braves are playing in the Boardwalk Classic in Wildwood this week. They will then have a week to practice for their game against Holy Spirit on Jan. 4.

“I think it will definitely be beneficial to have some prep time,” Bult said.
“It should be good. It’s hard not to look ahead. We want to go and win (at
the Boardwalk Classic). We will see what we will do there.”

One Bad Quarter: The Absegami High School girls' basketball team opened its season with a 46-34 loss to Atlantic City. The Vikings took control of the game with a 12-2 second quarter. Absegami was very competitive the rest of the game. Absegami coach Tracey Meghan was pleased with the way her team played. Christina Lee led all Braves with 10 points, and Eva Sodaitis scored nine
points, and Jenna Seddon added eight.

Dual Meet Drama: The Absegami High School wrestling team opened the season with a 34-31 loss to Haddonfield. Each team won seven individual bouts, but Haddonfield registered four pins while Absegami had three. That ended up being the difference, as Absegami needed a pin in the night’s final bout to even the score. Absegami’s Jon Willette won the match with a 6-3 decision at 145 pounds.

Nate Ross (152) opened the night with a pin in 1:28, however, Haddonfield
won the next four matches to take a 20-6 lead. J.C. Carr (220) ended the Haddonfield spurt with a decision and started a Braves’ run of their own. Heavyweight Mike Ottaviano recorded a pin, and Chris D’Alfonso (106) won by decision to make it a 20-18 score. Brandon Goldberg (120) and Mike Jiampetti (126) also won for Absegami.

Individual Titles: Mike Jiampetti (126 pounds) and Nate Ross (152) opened the season with titles at the Colt Classic at Christian Brothers Academy. Jiampetti registered two pins and a technical fall on the way to his title.
Ross recorded three wins, winning a decision, major decision and pin. David Blake (182) finished third.

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