EAGLES TAKE CONTROL OF A-NORTH WITH BIG ROAD WIN OVER COLTS NECK

Kyle Cancilleiri capped off the Eagles 56-45 win at Colts Neck with a dunk, sending a message that will surely resonate throughout the Shore Conference, if not farther.

No. 3 Middletown South went into a usually hostile Colts Neck environment and came back with a win that puts them in the driver seat in the A-North.

Trailing 24-21 at halftime, South needed more defensive pressure on the Cougars. Cancilleiri and Garret Thiel stepped up big time in the second half and shut down the lethal combination of Mitchell Kates and Steve Spinella to a combined 7 points after halftime.

The Eagles took the lead and gave themselves breathing room with a huge rally at the end of the third quarter, capped off by a Thiel buzzer beater from just inside the three-point line to take a 37-30 lead.

The final quarter was very emotional and energetic, with Colts Neck applying lots of pressure to try to get back in the game. The Cougars did, pulling within 3 points with a little more than 2 minutes left in the game, but South went on an 8-0 run to pull away for good.

Cancilleiri succeeded in slowing down Spinella in the second half, allowing him only 4 points. Thiel, if at all possible, did an even better job on Kates, who scored only 3 points, all on free throws.

Thiel finished with a game high 21 points, also adding 2 rebounds and 2 assists. Cancilleiri continued his current hot streak by scoring 18 points, recording 4 steals, and 3 rebounds. Cancilleiri is now averaging 22.7 points in his last three games since sitting out with severe hydration. Matt Callori pitched in 9 points and five rebounds.

Spinella recorded a team high 16 points in the Cougars third straight loss since starting 7-0. Adam Dombrowski scored 11 off the bench, all in the second half. Kates was held to 8 points on the night.

The Eagles have a quick turnaround as they play Manchester tomorrow night at home.