St. Peter’s Prep outlasts St. Joseph-Metuchen, captures Non-Public South A championship

When two of the top non-public teams in the state face off, fans anticipate an exhilarating game, and that is exactly what transpired. St. Peter’s Prep defeated St. Joseph-Metuchen 59-46 despite early offensive struggles.  

With a first-quarter score more fit for a baseball game, 7-5 in favor of the Falcons (29-2), it seemed as though offense would be at a premium in this one.  Aiden Carter, five points, and Andrew Kretkowski, two points, were the only two St Joe’s players to record points in the first quarter, while Oscar Martinez knocked down a triple, along with a bucket from Caden Post, accounted for all of the Marauders’ scoring in the first eight minutes. 

As the second quarter progressed, both teams struggled to get the scoring started, as the Falcons could not find production from players other than Kretkowski and Carter, who combined for the 10 points in the quarter. Carter finished the first half with an impressive 11 of his team’s 17 points.  

Conversely, St. Peter’s Prep saw five different players tally a basket, with Richie Rosa leading the way with four points in the second stanza. St. Joe’s has a chance to take the lead with the last possession of the half, but missed three straight open threes as the final seconds ticked away. With two vastly different quarters, things were all knotted up at 17 when the horn sounded at the end of the first half. 

Coming out of the break, both teams continued to trade shots back and forth, yet defense was still the leading factor. At points, the Marauders looked to be pulling away, but defensive stops turned into offensive chances, allowing the Falcons to keep the game within one possession for most of the quarter. The defensive effort for St. Joes was punctuated by 6-foot-10 center Joel Patrick, who pinned a layup attempt against the glass to keep it a one-score game entering the fourth as St. Peter’s led 33-31 with eight minutes left to decide a champion.

Up to this point, it had been anybody’s game, with either side coming through in big moments. But ultimately, it was one aspect of the game where the Marauders outshone the Falcons, and that was shooting from long range. 

St Peter’s knocked down six triples in the second half, compared to just two by St. Joes which ended up being the difference on the scoreboard. While the scoreboard told one story after the made baskets, the Falcons’ players and fans told a different story. With each three that fell it seemed as though the energy of St. Joe’s did as well.  Mason Santiago and Martinez led the three-point barrage in the second half, pouring in all six made by the Marauders. 

When the clock struck triple zero, it was St Peter’s who emerged with a 13-point victory and a trip to the Non-Public A championship.

For the Falcons, the end goal was not achieved, but there is a lot of success to build on from head coach Mark Taylor’s first season at the helm. Without a senior in its starting rotation, St Joe’s could very well run back the same rotation next season.

“We’re gonna be back.. and we are going to come back with a vengeance next year”

Despite not achieving the goal he and his team set out for at the beginning of the season, Taylor had one message for his squad.

Click below for post game reaction from St. Joseph head coach Mark Taylor with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Nick Hart: