Don Bosco wins its inaugural game in the TOC by Greg Mattura of The Record

TOMS RIVER – Don Bosco earned the program’s first victory in the Tournament of Champions with one of its many strong performances in the fourth quarter.

The Ironmen rallied in the final quarter and pulled away to a 61-51 victory over Verona in Friday night’s quarterfinals of the 29th annual TOC at Pine Belt Arena on the campus of Toms River North.

“We’re fortunate in the fourth quarter to do enough to win,” longtime coach Kevin Diverio said, “and at this point that’s all that really matters.”

Third-seeded Don Bosco (29-1) stretched its winning streak to 20 games – with several of those won in the final minutes – and will face No. 2 Linden in Sunday’s 5 p.m. semifinal at Pine Belt Arena.

Don Bosco trailed 39-38 entering the fourth quarter, and junior forward Marcellus Earlington (team-high 19 points and 10 rebounds) was on the bench with four fouls.

“We stay composed,” said the 6-foot-5 Earlington, who returned late in the fourth. “We know that if we play well and play our game, we’re going to pull it out.”

The other Ironmen stepped up. Senior swingman Chris Paul’s drive became a three-point play that provided a 45-41 lead with 2:45 remaining, and the defense picked up its intensity in the final eight minutes.

Don Bosco went ahead to stay, 42-41, after junior Ronald Harper (eight points, five rebounds) was fouled on a putback and made the first of two free throws with 5:29 remaining. The Ironmen had a size advantage, while Verona had the edge on the perimeter with its patient half-court offense.

The Ironmen kept the Group 1 champion at a distance in the final minutes with free throws. In the fourth, they shot 19-for-24 from the foul line, with junior reserve Matt Herasme 6-for-6 and senior point guard Charlie Bagin 4-for-4.

Herasme gave Don Bosco a major lift off the bench. He scored 12 points in 15 minutes, including a three-pointer in the final seconds of the third to pull the Ironmen to 39-38.

“He did a great job,” Diverio said of Herasme. “I thought the biggest shot of the game was his shot at the end of the third quarter. It gave us an emotional boost.”

“Every time I come in the game I just try to bring energy,” Herasme said. “Coach knows me as a defensive player, but on offense I’m always looking to be aggressive.”