Colonia’s Aiden Derkack goes up for a shot in the Group 3 semifinals against Ramapo in at Bloomfield High School on March 6, 2024. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)
When the Colonia boys’ basketball team fell behind 8-2 early, but bounced back with a 5-0 run to close the first quarter, it looked like even though it might be a low-scoring game, it would be a tight one all the way with Ramapo for a third straight year in the Group 3 semifinals.
But the Patriots never could find that scoring touch, while Ramapo did. And the Raiders beat them again en route to the state Group 3 championship game, this time 49-31 in Bloomfield in a game heard live on Central Jersey Sports Radio.
They’ll face the winner of the South/Central semifinal between Mainland and Freehold Boro at 6:30pm Sunday at RWJBarnabas Arena in Toms River, playing for the statewide Group 3 title.
Colonia – which finishes the season 22-9, having won the GMC Tournament for the first time since 2015 and the North 2, Group 3 title for a third straight year – had no one finish in double figures in the game, the easiest way to see they had trouble scoring the ball. But the lack of scoring – and offensive rebounding – also kept them from putting any back court pressure on Ramapo, which allowed the Raiders to set up their half-court offense.
After an 8-7 first quarter, Ramapo (24-8) closed the half on a 12-4 run to lead 20-11 at halftime. That advantage got as big as 19 at one point in the second half.
Jaeden Jones and Matt McSorley finished with eight each for Colonia, while Aiden Derkack finished with six. He had his wrist taped in the third quarter, and that may have affected his shot as well.
Seniors Chris Cervino, Wyatt Eglinton-Manner and Peyton Seals each finished with 12 for Ramapo.
Click below for postgame reaction from Colonia head coach Jose Rodriguez, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen:
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