Timmes' Double-Double Leads Cougars

For the Chatham High School boys basketball teams 54-49 overtime win over crosstown rival Madison, was significant for a number of reasons. 

First, because it was the Cougars eighth win of the season. Second, because it came against one of Chatham's favorite teams to beat.

But Wednesday night's win came despite the absence of two key Cougar contributors, as Jonathan Berntsen and Sam Carson were both out of the lineup with injuries, causing head coach Todd Ervin to lean heavily on some younger players.

Despite Madison holding a six-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, Chatham remained strong and capitalized once momentum shifted back in its direction.

Chatham took a late lead in the fourth quarter and appeared on its way to a win in regulation, until Sean Haughey hit a 3-pointer with time expiring to send the game into overtime.

But Haughey’s late game heroics would end there, as Chatham stifiled the Madison offense, outscoring Madison 6-1 in OT.

“I feel good. I thought we had it won in regulation and they banked a three, but it was a good win for us,” Ervin said after the game. “We’ve got a few injuries we’re trying to get through so the younger guys are stepping up.”

Joe Timmes led the way on Wednesday, finishing with 13 points and 11 rebounds to lead a Cougar team that outscored Madison 26-15 in the final two frames.

Drew Ballard and Luke Condrad also helped pick up the slack, combining for 25 points and seven rebounds for Chatham, who improve to 8-2 on the season.

Ervin commended his younger players -many of whom he explained haven’t seen much playing time- for rising to the occasion on Wednesday night.

“Tremendous effort from Robert Raiola, [he] played great,” Ervin said. “Luke Conrad played great, and Scott Baker too. Those are three guys that haven’t gotten that much playing time so they got the opportunity and they stepped up.”

Next up both teams will play on Friday as Chatham goes for its ninth win of the season against Morris Catholic in Denville. Madison will look to rebound from its first loss of the season as it hosts Morristown-Beard.