Mainland's Cohen Cook (3) dribbles against Ocean City in the South Jersey Group 3 boys' basketball final played at Mainland Regional High School in Linwood, New Jersey on Saturday, March 2, 2024. Lukas Guerrier/D2 Sports Network
MONROE - The Freehold Borough High School boys' basketball team traveled only 11.2 miles to Monroe Township High School for its first state semifinals appearance since 1973.
The Colonials' St. Patrick's Day themed student section established its presence in what felt like a home game for the Central Jersey Group 3 champions.
Freehold Borough jumped out to a 16-point lead in the first half and didn't look back.
Qua'Mir Everett delivered a pair electrifying alley-oop dunks for the Colonials on back-to-back possessions and the Mainland Regional High School boys' basketball team found itself down 20 points with 4:10 left in the third quarter.
That's when Cohen Cook put the team on his shoulders.
The senior scored 16 of the Mustangs' 24 points in the third quarter. Mainland went on a 21-7 run capped by a 3-pointer from Stephen Ordille to cut its deficit to 60-54 with less than seven minutes left to play.