Lions Taking Some Lumps In The Wake Of Calhoun Dismissal
UNION, NJ–In the nightcap game on Friday night at the 2011 Prime Time Shootout, Middletown North of the Class A North Division of the Shore Conference took on Middle Township from South Jersey and the Cape Atlantic League. It was the first game that the Lions played since the dismissal of standout player, Shilique Calhoun.
Calhoun, who is going to Michigan State on a football scholarship, walked off the court in the third quarter of a pivotal game against long time division rival, Christian Brothers Academy. The Colts went on to win the game by the final score of 69-35. A day later, Middletown North’s head coach dismissed Calhoun from the team. Up to this point in the season, Middletown North was having a great season with only one loss. Now, after losing Calhoun, being soundly beaten by CBA, and then getting routed by Middle Township at the Prime Time, the Lions have to find a way to regroup quickly with the Shore Conference Tournament and Central Jersey Group IV state tournaments looming. Middletown North is the top seed in CJ Group IV.
Regardless though of the outcome, the Lions head coach made a courageous move by dismissing Calhoun. He was unwilling to compromise his and the team’s integrity for winning. It’s not often that you see that happen in high school sports. Some coaches and programs overlook the quirks and issues with standout players because of what they do on the court. Often you’ll find one set of rules for top players, and a different set for the rest of the team. Middletown North, which fell behind 23-8 in the first quarter, and trailed at the half 41-19 to Middle Township on Friday night en route to the 82-52 loss, may take some short term losses in the wake of what happened, but long term, the Lions are better off.
Jason Huelbig scored a game high 23 points in the loss for the Lions while Marcus Harmon scored 20 for the Panthers in the win. Both players earned team MVP honors.