VIDEO: Daniel and Panthers can’t complete comeback as they fall to Rumson-Fair Haven in state semifinal

Posted: March 11th 2026

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

MONROE TOWNSHIP – In the end, a large first-half deficit was simply too much to overcome.

Senior forward Alex Daniel did his best to put the Middle Township High School boys basketball team on his back in the second half of Tuesday’s state Group II semifinal, but the Panthers couldn’t complete the comeback and faded in the final three minutes. The result was a 71-55 loss to Rumson-Fair Haven at Monroe Township High School.

“Everything has to go right when you’re down that much,” Middle coach LaMarr Greer said. “We made a run at them but they didn’t blink.”

Middle got off to a solid start and led 12-7 with three minutes to play in the first quarter. But Central Jersey champion Rumson-Fair Haven responded with an extraordinary 22-3 run that turned that five-point deficit into a 29-15 lead late in the first half. Middle Township scored just four points in the second quarter as the Bulldogs took a 31-19 lead at the half. Rumson capitalized on eight offensive rebounds in the first half.

“We didn’t value the ball as much as we were taught,” Daniel said. “They got too many second-chance opportunities and that really hurt us.”

Middle was much better in the third quarter, although the South Jersey champion Panthers only shaved two points off their deficit and trailed by 10 points going into the fourth. But Daniel, who was terrific in the second half, began to dominate the game. He scored seven straight points for his team as Middle pulled to within three points at 45-42 with 6:31 to play. Rumson increased its lead to eight points a few moments later but consecutive baskets by Middle cut the deficit to four at 49-45 with 5:30 to go. But Middle seemed to run out of gas at that point as Rumson reeled off a 22-7 run to increase its lead to as high as 19 points in the final minute.

Rumson Fair-Haven outrebounded Middle by 34-28. But 15 of the Bulldogs’ rebounds came on the offensive end.

“The rebounding, especially the offensive rebounds, killed us,” Greer said. “Those kids are very competitive. They play their hearts out and they have a very good, experienced coach (George Sourlis). And their big kid is very good.”

The big kid is Rumson senior Luke Cruz, a 6-8 forward who tallied 23 points and 15 rebounds to lead his team. He shot 8 for 19 from the floor, making each of his final four attempts from the floor as Rumson pulled away in the final four minutes. He also went 7 for 9 from the foul line.

Luke Lydon added 17 points for Rumson (21-8). He made five three-pointers, all seemingly coming in momentum-changing moments.

Daniel had 26 points, six rebounds and five assists to lead Middle. He scored 17 of his points in the second half, shooting 6 for 9 from the floor after halftime.

“Alex was amazing,” Greer said. “I feel lucky that we have him. He was tremendous.”

Junior Kanye Perkins added 17 points and nine rebounds. He made three three-pointers. 

Middle finishes the season at 18-12, picking up its second South Jersey title in four seasons.

“It was a good season and I like the trajectory of our program,” Greer said. “But the standard is a state championship. That’s the standard that was handed down to me, so we have to try to uphold that. Now it’s going to be handed down to Kanye. He needs to pick it up and be a leader and carry the program going forward.”

In addition to Perkins, starters Mason Murawski and Angelo Panzini and key substitutes Mike Farrow and Jaleo Wakefield are all set to return.

“It was a great experience this year, especially going into Camden and winning (in the South Jersey title game),” Greer said. “It was a great experience for our juniors and sophomores because they never saw anything like this. This was their first time being a part of something like this.

“It’s super frustrating to lose, but we have to use it as motivation.”

Daniel, Chase Moore and Adam Bouabbache are the key seniors who played their final game for Middle.

“I’m sad we couldn’t do it for all the guys,” Daniel said. “I’m glad we could take it this far. We played great, but they played better than us. Of course, it hurts.

“I feel like (Middle’s underclassmen) got this. They’re going to get it. With this coaching staff, they’re going to get it. I see them holding the trophy next year.”