Ramapo third-quarter run dooms Colonia in Group 3 semis, as Patriots fall 52-46

It’s uncanny at this point.

For four years in a row now, Colonia has won the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 title. And all four years, their season has come to an end in the Group 3 semifinals, all at the hands of Ramapo.

The Green Raiders – the North 1, Group 3 champs – topped the Patriots Tuesday night at the Dunn Center in Elizabeth, 52-46, as heard live on Central Jersey Sports Radio.

Colonia actually led by three at the half, 25-22, with the first 16 minutes as tight as could be, no one leading by more than a single possession.

But in the third quarter Ramapo hit their shots, and Colonia went cold, getting outscored 12-2. Aiden Derkack also picked up his third foul in the quarter, hampering him from being able to play the type of defense he’s used to.

For a Ramapo team that graduated its top three starters, the impact player was freshman A.J. Grieg, the team’s leading scorer coming in at 12.7 per game. Tuesday night, he finished two shy of a career high with 24, while hitting four threes, including two big ones in what turned out to be the decisiove fourth quarter.

Derkack led Colonia with 19, as the Patriots’ season ends at 29-6.

Ramapo (19-10) moves on the Group 3 state final Saturday at 6 pm at Jersey Mike’s arena at Rutgers, where they’ll play Central 4 champion Colts Neck, who rallied to beat South 4 champion Ocean City, 47-45.

Click below for postgame reaction from Colonia Coach Jose Rodriguez, presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen: