TOMS RIVER – It was an fascinating highway to the championship for Rumson-Fair Haven (6-0) within the 2025 Kevin Williams Christmas Classic. Rumson confronted and overcame adversity in all three video games together with dropping a 12-point lead within the second-half towards Howell within the championship recreation. The Bulldogs responded and closed out the sport with a 54-51 victory over second-seeded Howell. Senior Erin Reid completed with a double-double, 18 factors and 15 rebounds. The Brown commit was named Most Valuable Player of the match, averaging 23 PPG and 14 RPG.
Erin Reid completed 18 factors and was named the MVP of the Kevin Williams Christmas Classic. 12/20/25 Photo by Patrick Olivero
“Seeing Erin hoist that MVP trophy is really special because offense, defense, every big rebound we needed she grabbed it,” Rumson coach Dave Callahan stated. “She is having just an incredible year and to see her get the recognition that she deserves really means a lot to all of us.”
Rumson led 31-22 at halftime and constructed that to 12 factors early within the second half earlier than the Rebels mounted a comeback. Junior Grace Smith, who made the All-Tournament Team, scored 11 of her team-high 20 factors within the first half and Chloe Kelly knocked down two three-pointers to complete with 10 factors for the Bulldogs.
“If you’re scouting us, Grace and Erin are getting 80-85% of our points,” Callahan stated. “The other teams are going to throw the whole kitchen sink to stop them. Chloe is a great shooter and she was hot in the first half.”
Junior Kylee Beam led Howell’s comeback, ending with a game-high 21 factors. Beam drained a 3-pointer with 1:56 left within the recreation to present Howell their first lead since early within the first quarter, 49-48.
Howell junior Kylee Beam with the step on the baseline as Erin Reid defends through the Rumson Fair Haven vs Howell on the KWCC Christmas Classic at RWJBarnabas Health Arena in Toms River, . 12/30/25 Photo Credit: Tom Smith |
“We wanted to maintain our composure,” Reid stated. “Howell is a great team and we knew that going in. We did not want any of our negatives to affect our positives and make sure we just stayed focused.”
Rumson instantly responded with a lay-up by Smith to make it 50-49 after which Reid created a turnover and located Kelly open for a lay-up to make 52-49. Howell had an opportunity to tie it with 4 seconds left however Beam’s three-pointer bounced off the rim.
In the opening spherical, Rumson trailed 15-5 to the eight-seed Manchester after the primary quarter however battled again for a convincing 55-36 victory. Reid completed with 24 factors and 12 rebounds in that recreation and Smith added 21 factors.
The Bulldogs had a robust second-half within the semifinal spherical towards Toms River East. Outscoring the Raiders 26-17 for a 50-41 victory. Reid completed with 27 factors and 15 rebounds in that recreation.
Rumson acquired a lift with the return of Kelly who missed the opening spherical recreation because of sickness. Not solely did she add 10 factors within the championship recreation, however her bodily protection prompted issues for each Toms River East and Howell.
Chloe Kelly completed with 10 factors in championship recreation within the Kevin Williams Christmas Classic. 12/30/25 Photo by Patrick Olivero
“We started off the beginning of the season saying how defense is how we are going to win games,” Reid stated. “ We have to pride ourselves on our defense. I feel like every team has one thing and we pride ourselves on making sure defense is ours.”
Rumson comes out of the vacation break undefeated and has two wins towards high ten groups. The Bulldogs will play rival Shore Regional on Saturday earlier than they start the brutal Class A North schedule.
“Anytime you can win a championship with the great teams that were in this is an honor,” Callahan stated. “The whole idea is we win games now, but the real important ones are in February. So we learn from our mistakes now so when February comes we are ready.”