Middletown North had its most brutal stretch of the season this week when they dropped all three games. The three game losing streak also dropped North below .500 at 8-9 and has their state championship aspirations on life support.
On Tuesday A- North rival Marlboro beat North 47-29. This road loss was the start of two more this week and was their worst game of the year.
Friday, North was home to another A- North rival Manalapan. The game was played at 4:00 instead of 6:30 due to snow. North played a strong first half taking a lead into half time. Although unlike the first matchup months ago North could not play the better game was overtaken late. They lost by a final of 64-58 and dropped to 8-8 where they had to go on the road one day later.
On Saturday night North was on the road to play the best team in the Shore, Point Pleasant Beach, setting up a huge non-conference matchup. North being big underdogs played another good first half only trailing by a couple at halftime. Once again though they were outplayed and against the number 1 team it was not very close. Losing by a final of 74-61 the Lions fell to 8-9 and in dire straits.
To qualify for states a team must finish .500 or better meaning in North’s five remaining games they must go 3-2 or better. They have two home games and three away games, including at Middletown South.