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)
You can almost set your watch by it.
Each of the past three seasons, Colonia has stormed to a North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 title. The Patriots have been the best team in their playoff section for a while now, and even if they’re down, they’re never out.
Last year, they added GMC Tournament champions to their season resume, and again on the sectional crown.
But in each of the past three years – and add in 2019 as well – Colonia has been stymied in the Group 3 state semifinals, and all four of those seasons, it’s been Ramapo moving on to the state championship.
Can this year be different? Sure, Ramapo was 25-8, 30-3, and 23-7 in those seasons, and they’re “just” 18-10 this year, but no one wins a title by accident. So, here they are.
The two will meet Tuesday night at the Dunn Center in Elizabeth for a trip to the Group 3 finals at Rutgers’ Jersey Mike’s Arena on Saturday night at 6 pm. You can hear tonight’s game with tip off at 7 and pregame at 6:40 live on Central Jersey Sports Radio with Mike Pavlichko and Alec Crouthamel on the call. Click here to listen.
And yet, Colonia (27-4) is different, too. All due respect to the last three editions of C-Town hoops, but they now have a second straight GMCT trophy in hands, and this may be the best of the bunch. Nearly everyone is back from last year, and the newcomers – like freshman Jayce Rodriguez – have really established themselves, while guys like R.J. Wortman have turned out to be real prime time players.
As for the Green Raiders, they graduated their three top scorers in Chris Cervino, Wyatt Eglinton-Manner, and Peyton Seals – their only double-digit scorers. While they have a bit more balance this season, and a good number of seniors, their leading scorer is freshman A.J. Grieg, checking in at 12.7 points per game.
A win for Colonia would give the Patriots their first ever trip to the state finals.
Click below to hear preview interviews of Tuesday night’s Group 3 boys’ state semifinal between Colonia and Ramapo with the two head coaches:
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