Colonia’s Jaeden Jones puts up a shot against St. Thomas Aquinas in the 2022 GMC Tournament Final in Monroe. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)
Colonia has now won back-to-back sectional titles in North 2 Group 3, and has taken the title in three of the last four playoff years.
But they just can’t seem to get over that hump, that hump called Ramapo.
For the second year in a row, the Patriots lot to the North 1, Group 3 champions in the Group 3 semifinals out at Phillipsburg High School, last year by ten, this year by four.
Maybe the third time will be the charm.
But that was little consolation on Wednesday night out on the State Line, where Colonia – unlike last year – led going into the fourth quarter, albeit by one, thanks to a Jaeden Jones bucket.
But Ramapo got out to a slim lead in the fourth quarter, by two, three, four; never quite enough to seal the deal until the end, but enough to keep the Patriots in catch-up mode.
Colonia ends its season 25-5, while Ramapo goes on to the Group 3 finals at Rutgers University’s Jersey Mike’s Arena Saturday at a time to be determined against Central Group 3 champ Nottingham, which beat South 3 winner Moorestown 56-49 down at Brick Memorial High School Wednesday night.