Colonia, South Plainfield boys earn another state tourney rematch; Manville pulls an upset on the road in NJSIAA quarterfinal action

After a rough night on the boys’ side Monday in the NJSIAA state high school basketball tournament, all three Central Jersey Sports Radio-area teams in action Tuesday night were victorious, moving on to sectional semifinals on Thursday.

But there won’t be a similar night on Thursday, because second-seed South Plainfield will host third-seed Colonia in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 semis, with both picking up quarterfinal wins. Fifth-seed Manville advanced in Central Jersey Group 1 quarterfinal action.

Colonia was a 67-36 home winner over 6th-seed Mendham, several hours after the funeral for assistant coach Danny Brix, who passed away suddenly last Wednesday at the age of 30. The team attended the wake Monday night, while the coaching staff was at the funeral this morning. The Patriots (20-8) were in control most of the way in this one, ahead 13-6 after one quarter, and 33-13 at halftime, holding Mendham (19-8) to single digit scoring in three of the game’s four quarters. Senior Jaeden Jones led with 18 points, while sophomore Adien Derkack kicked in 17.

South Plainfield (21-7) topped seventh-seed Cliffside Park (15-12), 74-53 Tuesday night, on the strength of a huge second quarter. Tied at 16-all after one, the Tigers exploded for a 24-7 second eight minutes that gave them a 40-23 halftime lead, and they closed the game out in the fourth. Four players scored in double figures for the Tigers, who got 16 from Dante Dupiche, 15 from Naim Mouzon, and 12 each from Jordan Jones and Matt Nigro.

Colonia and South Plainfield haven’t played much in the regular season, but they’ve met each of the last two years in the state tournament. The Patriots beat the Tigers two years ago in the finals, in overtime, and last year in the semifinals. Colonia also won their meeting in this year’s GMC Tournament semifinals, 70-37, en route to its first full league tournament title since 2015. They’ve won six straight against South Plainfield in the last eight seasons.

And in Central Jersey Group 1, Manville upset fourth-seed Brearley in Kenilworth, 46-34, behind a game-high 20 points from Tyler Kesolitz and 12 from Josh D’Ambrosio. Aidan Shimp added eight rebounds. It was a low-scoring game in stretches, with Manville up 9-8 after one quarter, though they trailed at halftime, 23-19, and the third quarter was a defensive battle, with the Mustangs outscoring the Bears just 4-2. Manville will now travel down to the Jersey Shore to take on top-seed Henry Hudson (21-4), which outlasted 8th-seed Eagle Academy 49-43 Monday night. It will be the Mustangs’ first trip to the semis since 2001, which was also the last time they made a sectional final. Manville has never won a title.

Scroll down to see all results in sections with CJSR-area teams, as well as the upcoming schedule with matchups in the next round.

TUESDAY’S RESULTS

Central Jersey Group 1
(1) Henry Hudson def. (8) Eagle Academy, 49-43
(5) Manville def. (4) Brearley, 46-34
(3) College Achieve Asbury Park def. (11) Point Pleasant Beach, 89-31
(2) Shore def. (7) South Hunterdon, 51-33

North Jersey, Section 2 – Group 3:
(1) Cranford def. (8) Chatham, 66-64
(4) Millburn def. (5) Payne Tech, 55-52 (3 OT)
(3) Colonia def. (6) Mendham, 67-36
(2) South Plainfield def. (7) Cliffside Park, 74-53

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Central Jersey Group 4 Semifinals
(4) Marlboro at (1) Montgomery, 6 pm
(3) Manalapan at (2) Monroe, 6 pm

North Jersey, Section 2 – Group 4 Semifinals
(12) Linden at (8) Plainfield
(7) Franklin at (3) Elizabeth, 7 pm

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 29

Central Jersey Group 1 Semifinals
(5) Manville at (1) Henry Hudson
(3) College Achieve Asbury Park at (2) Shore

North Jersey, Section 2 – Group 3 Semifinals:
(4) Millburn at (1) Cranford
(3) Colonia at (2) South Plainfield, 6 pm

Non-Public South A Semifinals
(5) Paul VI at (1) Christian Brothers Academy
(3) Rutgers Prep at (2) Union Catholic, 7 pm