Sophomore Jordan Barnes of St. Thomas Aquinas (far left) – shown here in the GMC Tournament final against Colonia – led the Trojans in their opening round state playoff game Friday night. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)
Three of the five Central Jersey Sports Radio-area girls’ basketball teams opening play in the NJSIAA state tournament advanced Friday night, with St. Thomas Aquinas, Mount St. Mary and Pingry picking up wins in Non-Public South A first-round action.
Mount St. Mary and Immaculata lost in the same section, while Timothy Christian and Calvary Christian were sent home in Non-Public South B.
Things were never in doubt for the third-seeded Trojans Friday night, a week after winning their fifth straight GMC Tournament title. They held visiting 14th-seed Princeton Day to just two first quarter points, and led 46-8 at the half in a game they eventually won 85-23.
Five players scored in double-figures for Aquinas, which got two double-doubles. GMCT MVP Jordan Barnes had 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Leah Kearney chipped in 12 and 10. Gianna Chuffo knocked down for treys and had a game-high 20 points, while Madison Rorie added 14 and Trista Whitney scored 12 points.
STA will host sixth-seed Our Lady of Mercy next Monday in the quarterfinals.
Also in the section, ninth-seed Mount St. Mary got a game-high 24 points from Mia Gestosani, as well as 12 points and seven rebounds from Rachel Castela, en route to a 78-32 win over visiting 8th-seed Notre Dame. The Lions travel to top-seed Red Bank Catholic Monday with a trip to the semis on the line.
And fifth-seed Pingry routed 12th-seed Donovan Catholic at home, 73-13, behind a solid defensive effort, allowing the visitors just four points in the first half, leading 18-2 after one quarter, 39-4 at the break. Debra Hill led the Big Blue with a game-high 28 points.
Scroll down for all of Friday’s opening round results, as well as next-round matchups in all sections with CJSR-area teams remaining. Starred games (*) indicate a girls’/boys’ doubleheader.
FRIDAY RESULTS
Non-Public South A
(9) Mount St. Mary def. (8) Notre Dame, 50-37
(5) Pingry def. (12) Donovan Catholic, 73-13
(4) St. John Vianney def. (13) Camden Catholic, 65-20
(3) St. Thomas Aquinas def. (14) Princeton Day, 85-23
(10) Immaculata def. (7) Paul VI 80-27
Non-Public South B
(8) Bishop Eustace def. (9) Timothy Christian, 78-32
(4) Gloucester Catholic def. (13) Calvary Christian, 69-14
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Central Jersey Group 4
(8) Old Bridge at (1) Hightstown, 6 pm
(12) Freehold Twp. at (4) Jackson Memorial
(6) South Brunswick at (3) Monroe
(10) Middletown South at (2) Howell
Central Jersey Group 2
(8) Delaware Valley at (1) New Providence
(5) Wall at (4) Voorhees
(11) Holmdel at (3) Rumson-Fair Haven
(9) Metuchen at (2) Manasquan
North Jersey, Section 2 – Group 4
(8) Phillipsburg at (1) Plainfield
(13) Ridge at (5) Elizabeth
(6) Franklin at (3) Bayonne
(7) Hunterdon Central at (2) Hillsborough
Non-Public North B
(8) St. Mary-Rutherford at (1) Morris Catholic
(5) Roselle Catholic at (4) Saddle River Day
(6) Villa Walsh at (3) Gill St. Bernard’s, TBA
(7) DePaul at (2) Montclair-Immaculate
Non-Public South A
(9) Mount St. Mary at (1) Red Bank Catholic
(5) Pingry at (4) St. John Vianney
(6) Our Lady of Mercy at (3) St. Thomas Aquinas, 5 pm*
(7) Paul VI at (2) Trinity Hall
Non-Public South B
(8) Bishop Eustace winner at (1) Rutgers Prep, 5 pm*
(5) Trenton Catholic at (4) Gloucester Catholic
(6) Holy Spirit at (3) St. Rose-Belmar
(7) Ranney at (2) Wildwood Catholic
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Central Jersey Group 3
(4) Colts Neck at (1) Ewing
(12) Carteret at (4) Red Bank Regional
(6) Neptune at (3) Somerville
(10) Brick Memorial vs (2) Ocean Twp.
Central Jersey Group 1
(8) South Hunterdon at (1) Middlesex
(5) Manville at (4) Point Pleasant Beach
(6) Highland Park at (3) Shore
(7) New Egypt vs (2)Dunellen
North Jersey, Section 2 – Group 3
(8) Summit at (1) Chatham
(12) West Morris at (4) Cranford
(6) Warren Hills at (3) Mendham
(7) Payne Tech vs. (2) Colonia
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