2024 New Year’s Eve’s Central Jersey Sports Radio “Tournament of Champions” winners

In what we hope becomes an annual tradition on Central Jersey Sports Radio, we’re announcing our 2024 New Year’s Eve “Tournament of Champions” winners!

Last week, we put up for a vote the nine championship games we broadcast that were won by CJSR-area teams during the 2024 calendar year. The top five vote-getters will have those games rebroadcast today – New Year’s Eve – starting at noon and running right up through midnight when 2025 arrives.

Here are the winners and the approximate times those games are set to air!

#5: Boys’ Basketball – Central Jersey Group 4 Final: Montgomery vs. Monroe (airs at 12 noon): Back in the sectional final for the first time in ten years, Montgomery made it count. The Cougars fell behind early to Monroe in a Skyland-GMC battle, but prevailed for a 63-37 win. It was also the 300th coaching victory for Montgomery head coach Kris Grundy. Listen as Justin Sontupe and Chris Tsakonas call all the action.

*The 2024 Central Jersey Group 4 champion Montgomery. (Photo courtesy Heather Pino-Beattie)*

GAME RECAP: Cougars are Champs! Montgomery overcomes early speed bump to top Monroe for CJ4 title before packed house

#4: Baseball – GMC Tournament Final: South Plainfield vs. Old Bridge (airs at 1:40 pm): The Knights jumped out to an early lead, and the Tigers clawed their way back. But in the end, Old Bridge hung on for a 6-5 win to win the GMC Tournament for the second time in five years, and third overall. Listen as Mike Pavlichko and Justin Sontupe call all the play-by-play.

*Old Bridge with its championship banner after winning the 2024 GMCT Tournament title at Ray Cipperly Field in East Brunswick on May 18, 2024. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)*

GAME RECAP: Top Knights! Old Bridge knocks off South Plainfield 6-5 to win GMC Tournament title

#3: Baseball – Somerset County Tournament Final: Bridgewater-Raritan vs. Ridge (airs at 4:50 pm): For the first time since 1996, Bridgewater-Raritan won the Somerset County Tournament, topping Ridge 10-7 at TD Bank Park in Bridgewater. Listen to Mike Pavlichko and Vin Ebenau call all the action.

*Bridgewater-Raritan with its 2024 Somerset County Tournament championship trophy. (Photo: Vin Ebenau)*

GAME RECAP: The long wait is over! Bridgewater-Raritan tops Ridge to win first SCT title in 28 years

#2: Baseball – State Group 4 Final: Bridgewater-Raritan vs. Eastern (airs at 7:40 pm): For the first time in program history, Bridgewater-Raritan brought home a state title, topping South Jersey Group 4 champion Eastern 6-4. The Panthers built an early 5-0 lead, but hung on as Cory Rible shut down the Vikings in the 19th to close out his 17th game in 17 appearances; Bridgewater never lost a game he pitched in all season, as the Panthers set a program record with their 30th win. Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko and Vin Ebenau on the call:

*Bridgewater-Raritan with its Group 4 championship trophy after beating Eastern for its first ever state title, 6-4, at Bob DeMeo Field in Hamilton on June 8, 2024. (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)*

GAME RECAP: Panthers are champs! Bridgewater-Raritan takes first ever state title with 6-4 win over Eastern

#1: Girls’ Basketball – GMC Tournament Final: St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Colonia (airs at 10 pm): The St. Thomas girls won their fifth straight GMC Tournament championship, dispatching of rival Colonia, 71-52. Sophomore Jordan Barnes was named MVP, as the Trojans claimed their eighth GMC tourney title overall. Mike Pavlichko and Dom Savino call all the action.