Two Central Jersey Sports Radio-area girls basketball teams are on to the same sectional final in the NJSIAA state tournament, but two others saw their seasons come to an end Tuesday night.

Third-seed Hillsborough will play at top-seed Franklin Thursday night for the Central Jersey Group 4 championship, after both teams won Tuesday.

But Metuchen saw it’s season come to and end down the Shore, while Bernards lost on its home floor to defending North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2 champion Madison.

Scroll through for recaps, audio, and links to separate stories, followed by an updated upcoming schedule with dates and times.

Central Jersey Group 4

Despite missing Alexa Gaspar, who was out sick, Hillsborough improved to 21-6 and moved on to its third straight title game with a 60-49 win at second-seed East Brunswick. Isabella Ruh logged her 18th double-double of the season in 27 games, scoring 17 points and adding 15 rebounds. The Raiders were North 2, Group 4 champions in 2024, winning their first-ever sectional title, then followed it up by winning Central Jersey Group 4 last year – and the state Group 4 title two games later.

Click here to read our game story, and hear postgame comments from Hillsborough head coach Courtney Tierney.

Meanwhile, in Franklin, the top-seeded Warriors were 66-34 winners over fifth-seed Jackson Twp., getting a career-high 33 points from junior Aleah Sunkins. A strong third quarter helped Franklin pull away. The final will be Thursday instead of Friday – the designated day for Group 2 and 4 sectional finals – since Franklin is hosting District 5 NJSIAA wrestling that night

Click here to read our game story, and hear postgame comments from Franklin head coach Jimmy Kreie.

• (1) Franklin def. (5) Jackson Twp., 66-34
• (3) Hillsborough def. (2) East Brunswick, 60-49

Central Jersey Group 2

The 13th-seed, Metuchen, ran into the buzzsaw that is state power Manasquan Tuesday night, losing to the top-seed 53-18. The Bulldogs got shutout 16-0 in the first quarter, too big a hole to climb back from, and trailed 30-4 at the half. Victoria Zaniecki had a double-double in the losing effort – 12 points and ten rebounds – as their season comes to a close at 15-14.

• (1) Manasquan def, (13) Metuchen, 53-18
• (2) Rumson-Fair Haven def. (3) Johnson, 45-38

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2

Second-seed Bernards saw its season come to an end with a 51-40 loss to four-time defending champion and third-seed Madison. The Mountaineers couldn’t find their shot from the get-go, going the first ten minutes without a field goal, and trailed 11-2 at one point. They were able to climb back in the third quarter and cut the deficit to 35-34, but Madison hit some big threes – and their foul shots – and gradually built a lead they would never relinquish. Senior Aletha Reynolds scored 14 points and had ten rebounds to record a double-double in her final high school game – she’s committed to Catholic University in Washington, D.C. – while Maddie Frame added 11; each of them had a pair of treys in the game.

• (1) Caldwell def. (4) Voorhees, 67-44
• (3) Madison def. (2) Bernards, 51-40

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

Central Jersey Group 4 Final (Girls)

• (3) Hillsborough (21-6) at (4) Franklin (21-8), 6 pm

Non-Public North A Semifinals (Boys)

• (4) DePaul at (1) Morris Catholic, 7 pm
• (6) Pingry at (2) Immaculate Heart, 5:30 pm

Non-Public South A Semifinals (Boys)

• (4) St. Thomas Aquinas at (1) Red Bank Catholic, 5:30 pm
• (3) Paul VI at (2) St. John Vianney, 5:30 pm

Non-Public North B Semifinals (Boys)

• (4) Villa Walsh at (1) Gill St. Bernard’s, 5 pm
• (3) Hudson Catholic at (2) Saddle River Day

Non-Public South B Semifinals (Boys)

• (5) Stuart Day at (1) Rutgers Prep, 5 pm
• (3) Wildwood Catholic at (2) Gloucester Catholic, 5 pm

As Week Two of the NJSIAA state high school basketball tournament gets underway, six area girls’ basketball teams advanced to sectional semifinals with wins on Monday night.

That includes top-seed Somerville in North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 and second-seed Bound Brook in Central Jersey Group 1. Meanwhile, all four parochial schools in action – Pingry, St. Thomas Aquinas, Gill St. Bernard’s and Rutgers Prep – also advanced to sectional semifinals.

The only girls’ squads from the Central Jersey Sports Radio coverage area to get knocked out Monday night were second-seed Colonia in North 2, Group 3, and South Amboy in Central 1.

Read on for a full recap of quarterfinal action from Monday night, with all scores in those sections, plus a look ahead to semifinal action the rest of the week.

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3

It might not have been pretty, but style points don’t count in the state tournament – just points. Top-seeded Somerville won a low-scoring affair, 35-26, over eight-seed Summit at home, behind 17 points from Kaylee Lauber – who just missed a double-double with nine rebounds – while Lily Taylor grabbed 12. The Pioneers (21-6) held the Hilltoppers without a field goal the entire first quarter, and led 9-1 after the first eight minutes. That turned out to be the decisive quarter, as the teams played fairly even the rest of the way.

It will be The ‘Ville’s second straight trip to a sectional final, as they try to make a title game for the first time since they won this section in 2018, the second of back-to-back sectional titles for the Pioneers. They will meet fifth-seed Chatham (16-12), which also won a low scoring game Monday night, 30-21, knocking off fourth-seed Cranford.

Meanwhile, second-seed Colonia got upset by seventh-seed Mendham, 42-39. Trailing 40-33 heading into the fourth, the game ground to a halt, with Colonia winning the period 6-2, but falling short by three. Samantha Howell was the lone double-digit scorer for the Patriots (20-4), finishing with 11 in defeat, while Nashaelah Hooker had five points and 12 rebounds, and Hailey Conklin added eight and eight.

• (1) Somerville def. (8) Summit, 35-26
• (5) Chatham def. (4) Cranford, 30-21
• (6) North Hunterdon def. (3) Millburn, 40-35
• (7) Mendham def. (2) Colonia, 42-39

Central Jersey Group 1

Second-seed Bound Brook advanced, beating seventh-seed Thrive Charter 66-61. But it got a little too close for comfort down the stretch for the Crusaders. They led 51-36 heading into the fourth, and 59-45 with just over five minutes to go. But Thrive got it down to a 59-57 deficit with a minute left, and it looked like the wheels were about to come off for The Brook. But they hit a couple of free throws with 54 seconds left to go up by four. Thrive missed on the offensive end, and fouled Bound Brook, which made one of two to go up five. It went on like that, and in the end, the Crusaders hit seven of eight free throws down the stretch to give them the win. Freshman Peytan Pugh finished one shy of a career high with 26 points, adding ten rebounds and 13 steals, for her second triple-double this season, while Lauren Polakiewicz scored 13, including three triples. Pugh leads New Jersey with 231 steals this season.

The Crusaders (24-3) will get sixth-seed Roselle Park and the state’s top scorer in Sidney Smith (30 ppg), after the Panthers (18-7) rolled past third-seed Keansburg, 72-27 behind a 40-point night from Smith that was just her fourth-highest scoring total of the season.

In the other half of the bracket, fourth-seed South Amboy was upset at home by fifth-seed Brearley, 55-27. Gabby Evanski was the Lady Guvs’ only double-digit scorer with 13 points, 12 of which came on four treys.

• (1) New Providence def. (8) Shore, 60-38
• (5) Brearley def. (4) South Amboy, 55-27
• (6) Roselle Park def. (3) Keansburg, 72-27
• (2) Bound Brook def. (7) Thrive Charter, 66-61

Non-Public North A

Sixth-seed Pingry picked up an upset win all the way up in Sparta over third-seed Pope John, 55-51, behind 16 points from Val Triana and another 13 from Charlotte Hunzinger, while Gisel Calulo added nine, all from downtown. The Big Blue (16-10) will visit Immaculate Heart (21-5) up in Bergen County Thursday in the sectional semifinals, after they beat 10-seed Paramus Catholic, 61-37, Monday night. The two have played only twice in the last 15 years, with Pingry losing 44-40 last season, but winning 61-47 two years ago.

• (1) Morris Catholic def. (9) Oak Knoll, 89-27
• (4) DePaul def. (5) Mount St. Dominic, 61-53
• (6) Pingry def. (3) Pope John, 55-51
• (2) Immaculate Heart def. (10) Paramus Catholic, 61-37

Non-Public South A

Fourth-seed St. Thomas Aquinas (24-6) rolled past five-seed Trinity Hall, 74-47, getting 19 points and two treys from Trista Whitney, 18 points and three treys from Lauryn Downing, and 15 points and six rebounds from Jordan Barnes. Aquinas led 36-25 at the half, but pulled away in the third on the strength of a 27-7 quarter. Now comes perhaps their biggest test of the year, as they will head down to face the state’s top-ranked team – and the No. 1 seed in their section – Red Bank Catholic. The Caseys (27-2) beat eighth-seed Union Catholic 75-22 Monday night.

• (1) Red Bank Catholic def. (8) Union Catholic, 75-22
• (4) St. Thomas Aquinas def. (5) Trinity Hall, 74-47
• (3) Paul VI def. (6) Camden Catholic, 73-37
• (2) St. John Vianney def. (7) Bishop Eustace, 73-22

Non-Public North B

Top-seed Gill St. Bernard’s played its opening round (quarterfinal) game last week, as did its semifinal opponent Villa Walsh, but the other half of the bracket played Monday night.

• (3) Hudson Catholic def. (6) Mount St. Dominic, 70-17
• (2) Saddle River Day def. (7) Roselle Catholic, 39-23

Non-Public South B

Top-seed Rutgers Prep got a balanced scoring effort, as Ava LaMonica, Bri Duque, Sophia Georgiades and Hannah Fraser each scored 11 points for the Argonauts (24-3), who beat ninth-seed Holy Cross Prep, 67-23. Prep led early, and by a lot: 24-9 after one, 43-14 at the half. They’ll get fifth-seed Stuart Day (15-9) in Thursday’s semifinals, a 43-41 winner at fourth-seed Holy Spirit Monday night.

• (1) Rutgers Prep def. (9) Holy Cross Prep, 73-27
• (5) Stuart Day def. (4) Holy Spirit, 43-41
• (3) Wildwood Catholic def. (11) Ranney, 83-76
• (2) Gloucester Catholic def. (7) Koinonia, 74-26

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Note: Not all game times have been announced. This schedule will be updated as game times are set.

TUESDAY, MARCH 3 (SEMIFINALS)

Central Jersey Group 4

• (5) Jackson Twp. at (1) Franklin, 5 :30 pm
• (3) Hillsborough at (2) East Brunswick, 6 pm

Central Jersey Group 2

• (13) Metuchen at (1) Manasquan, 5 pm
• (3) Johnson at (2) Rumson-Fair Haven, 5 pm

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2

• (4) Voorhees at (1) Caldwell, 5 pm
• (3) Madison at (3) Bernards, 7 pm

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3 (SEMIFINALS)

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3

• (5) Chatham at (1) Somerville, 5:30 pm
• (7) Mendham at (3) Millburn

Central Jersey Group 1

• (5) Brearley at (1) New Providence
• (6) Roselle Park at (2) Bound Brook, 5:30 pm

THURSDAY, MARCH 5 (SEMIFINALS)

Non-Public North A

• (4) DePaul at (1) Morris Catholic
• (6) Pingry at (2) Immaculate Heart

Non-Public South A

• (4) St. Thomas Aquinas at (1) Red Bank Catholic
• (3) Paul VI at (2) St. John Vianney

Non-Public North B

• (4) Villa Walsh at (1) Gill St. Bernard’s, 5 pm
• (3) Hudson Catholic at (2) Saddle River Day

Non-Public South B

• (5) Stuart Day at (1) Rutgers Prep, 5 pm
• (3) Wildwood Catholic at (2) Gloucester Catholic

All three girls’ basketball teams in the Central Jersey Group 4 bracket of the state tournament – including top-seed Franklin, second-seed East Brunswick and third-seed Hillsborough – advanced to the sectional semifinals with wins Saturday in the state tournament, while second-seed Bernards moved on as well in North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2 play.

Three quarters of the CJ4 semifinals are set now, all including Central Jersey Sports Radio coverage area teams, and the fourth team will be decided a bit later this afternoon, with 4th-seed Hunterdon Central and 5th-seed Jackson Township having tipped off at 4 pm.

Meanwhile, the Bernards girls won their 24th game of the season in Saturday’s quarterfinal round, topping the mark the program set last year, with 23.

Following are brief recaps of Saturday’s actions, followed by scores in each section with CJSR-area teams, and the upcoming schedule for next week’s action.

Central Jersey Group 4

At the top of the bracket, top-seed Franklin was a 66-35 winner over 8th-seed Freehold Township, 66-35. It’s the second straight trip back to the semifinals in the section, where they’ll face fifth-seed Jackson Township, which survived a potential game-tying buzzer-beating attempt from just past half court to win at fourth-seed Hunterdon Central to win 48-45. Aleah Sunkins led the offensive effort with 25 points, while Alissa Myers added 16. The Warriors (20-8) will be seeking their first trip back to a sectional title game since 2020, when they won North 2, Group 4, then beat Randolph in the Group 4 semifinals before the remainder of the tournament was cancelled due to the emerging COVID-19 pandemic. It’s also their first 20-win season since that year, when the Warriors “finished” 24-5.

In the other half of the bracket, it’ll be third-seed Hillsborough at second-seed East Brunswick in the semifinals. They met earlier this season in Hillsborough, with the Raiders coming out with a 70-52 win back on January 22nd. The Raiders (20-6) beat Princeton 66-34 Saturday afternoon at home, behind 17 points from Victoria Leidl, and a double-double from Isabella Ruh, who finished with 12 points and 17 rebounds. East Brunswick, meanwhile, beat seventh-seed Marlboro 60-48. The Lady Bears (23-5) got 28 points from sophomore Ava Catanho – including three treys – while Julianna DelosSantos-Branson added nine points and eleven rebounds.

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4

The opposite happened here, with all three CJSR-area teams getting knocked out in Saturday play. Nine-seed Woodbridge fell behind early and couldn’t recover, falling 79-56 at top-seed Bayonne. Third-seed Piscataway got 28 points from Violet Azcona, and led 49-40 heading into the fourth quarter, but was outscored 25-12 in the final period to take a 65-61 loss. And 10th-seed Watchung Hills fell 58-27 to second-seed Westfield, which jumped out to a 17-1 lead after one quarter, but still led by 16 at the half, before pulling away in the third.

Central Jersey Group 2

In a rare 13 vs. 12 matchup, 13th-seed Metuchen pulled out a 37-34 win over 12-seed Robbinsville Saturday down at Mercer County Community College in East Windsor. The Bulldogs led 22-17 at the half, and withstood a strong third quarter by the Ravens, who took a 32-30 lead into the fourth. But Metuchen held them to just two points over the final eight minutues, outscoring Robbinsville 7-2 in the period. Their prize is a date at top-seed and two-time defending state Group 2 champion Manasquan, which ended ninth-seed Spotswood’s season with a 54-34 defeat Saturday. Junior Gabrielle Hill finished with 16 points, going 6-of-7 from the foul line in defeat for the Lady Chargers/

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2

Second-seed Bernards held its second straight state tournament opponent to just 25 points, as the Mountaineers beat seventh-seed Hanover Park, 45-25. Click here for a game story and postgame reaction from Bernard’s head coach Brett Bisconti.

QUARTERFINAL RESULTS – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28

Central Jersey Group 4

• (1) Franklin def. (8) Freehold Twp., 66-35
• (5) Jackson Twp. def. (4) Hunterdon Central, 48-45
• (3) Hillsborough def. (6) Princeton, 66-34
• (2) East Brunswick def. (7) Marlboro, 60-48

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4

• (1) Bayonne def. (9) Woodbridge, 79-56
• (4) Plainfield def. (5) Columbia at , 59-53
• (3) Piscataway def. (11) Union, 65-61
• (2) Westfield def. (10) Watchung Hills, 58-27

Central Jersey Group 2

• (1) Manasquan def. (9) Spotswood, 54-34
• (13) Metuchen def. (12) Robbinsville, 37-34
• (3) Johnson def. (11) Governor Livingston, 41-31
• (2) Rumson-Fair Haven def. (7) Point Pleasant Boro, 59-46

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2

• (1) Caldwell def. (9) Ridgefield Park, 60-21
• (4) Voorhees def. (12) West Morris, 58-51
• (3) Madison def. (6) Hackettstown, 54-32
• (2) Bernards def. (7) Hanover Park, 45-25

Non-Public North B

• (6) Mount St. Dominic at (3) Hudson Catholic
• (7) Roselle Catholic at (2) Saddle River Day

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

MONDAY, MARCH 2 (QUARTERFINALS)

Note: Not all game times have been announced. This schedule will be updated as game times are set.

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3

• (8) Summit at (1) Somerville, 5:30 pm
• (5) Chatham at (4) Cranford, 6 pm
• (6) North Hunterdon vs. (3) Millburn, 5 pm
• (7) Mendham at (2) Colonia, 5 pm

Central Jersey Group 1

• (8) Shore at (1) New Providence, 5 pm
• (5) Brearley at (4) South Amboy
• (6) Roselle Park at (3) Keansburg, 4 pm
• (7) Thrive Charter at (2) Bound Brook, 5:30 pm

Non-Public North A

• (9) Oak Knoll at (1) Morris Catholic, 7 pm
• (5) Mount St. Dominic at (4) DePaul, 4:30 pm
• (6) Pingry at (3) Pope John, 5:30 pm
• (10) Paramus Catholic at (2) Immaculate Heart, 5:30 pm

Non-Public South A

• (8) Union Catholic at (1) Red Bank Catholic, 5:30 pm
• (5) Trinity Hall at (4) St. Thomas Aquinas, 6 pm
• (6) Camden Catholic at (3) Paul VI, 5:30 pm
• (7) Bishop Eustace at (2) St. John Vianney, 5 pm

Non-Public North B

• (6) Mount St. Dominic at (3) Hudson Catholic, 4:30 pm
• (7) Roselle Catholic at (2) Saddle River Day, 4:30 pm

Non-Public South B

• (9) Holy Cross Prep at (1) Rutgers Prep, 5 pm
• (5) Stuart Day at (4) Holy Spirit, 4 pm
• (11) Ranney at (3) Wildwood Catholic, 6 pm
• (7) Koinonia at (2) Gloucester Catholic, 5 pm

TUESDAY, MARCH 3 (SEMIFINALS)

Central Jersey Group 4

• (5) Jackson Twp. at (1) Franklin, 5 :30 pm
• (3) Hillsborough at (2) East Brunswick, 6 pm

Central Jersey Group 2

• (13) Metuchen at (1) Manasquan, 5 pm
• (3) Johnson at (2) Rumson-Fair Haven, 5 pm

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2

• (4) Voorhees at (1) Caldwell, 5 pm
• (3) Madison at (3) Bernards, 7 pm

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

Non-Public North B Semifinals

• (4) Villa Walsh at (1) Gill St. Bernard’s, 5 pm
• (3) Hudson Catholic/(6) Mount St. Dominic vs. (2) Saddle River Day/(7) Roselle Catholic

It was a lighter schedule on Day 2 of the NJSIAA state tournament for Central Jersey Sports Radio area teams, with all four higher seeds advancing, and all of the lower seeded teams going home.

Overall, four of the 13 teams from the CJSR coverage area advanced, while nine saw their seasons end.

Here are brief recaps by section, followed by full results for all brackets with area teams, then the upcoming schedule for Saturday and Monday action.

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3

Top-seed Somerville (20-6) cruised past 16th-seed Warren Hills at home on a solid defensive effort, and despite only one player in double figures. Kaylee Lauber scored 15 points and had five rebounds, while Lily Taylor added 11 boards in the win. The Pioneers will host 8th-seed Summit Monday evening at 5:30 in the quarterfinals. The Hilltoppers (13-13) beat 9th-seed Carteret, 41-25, jumping out to an early 16-3 lead, and never looking back. Charlotte Yarnall led the way for Summit with 14 points.

Second-seed Colonia also was a big winner, routing 15th-seed Cliffside Park, 73-36. The Patriots (20-3) got a game-high 18 points apiece from Hailey Conklin and Ariana Sosa, while Samantha Howell added 13. Colonia will face Mendham (11-14) Monday at home in the quarterfinals, tentatively at 5 pm assuming the top-seeded Colonia boys win Friday night. Seventh-seed Mendham was a 58-19 home winner over South Plainfield Friday night.

Central Jersey Group 1

Second-seed Bound Brook (23-3) advanced with a 54-26 win over 15th-seed Dayton. The Crusaders jumped out to a big lead, scoring the game’s first 17 points before the Bulldogs got on the board. Peytan Pugh scored a game-high 21 points and had nine more steals, leading the state with 217. Read a full game recap with postgame audio here. Bound Brook will face 7th-seed Thrive Charter (11-10) Monday in the quarterfinals, after they knocked out 10th-seed Manville, 57-20, Friday evening.

On the other side of the bracket, fourth-seed South Amboy (18-7) got by 13-seed Henry Hudson, 42-27, behind 19 points from Gabby Evanski, who also grabbed eight rebounds, along with Ashley Moreira-Burgos. The Lady Guvs will host fifth-seed Brearley (17-4) on Monday in the sectional quarterfinals; the Bears eliminated 12th-seed Highland Park, 62-44, Friday night.

FIRST ROUND RESULTS – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3

• (1) Somerville def. (16) Warren Hills, 49-14
• (8) Summit def, (9) Carteret, 41-25
• (5) Chatham def. (12) Randolph, 49-29
• (4) Cranford def. (13) North Plainfield, 81-28
• (3) Millburn def. (14) Orange, 72-36
• (6) North Hunterdon def. (11) Fort Lee, 57-22
• (7) Mendham def. (1) South Plainfield, 58-19
• (2) Colonia def. (15) Cliffside Park, 73-36

Central Jersey Group 1

• (1) New Providence def. (16) Dunellen, 49-10
• (8) Shore def. (9) Middlesex, 55-40
• (5) Brearley def. (12) Highland Park, 62-44
• (4) South Amboy def. (13) Henry Hudson, 42-27
• (3) Keansburg def. (14) College Achieve Central, 56-34
• (6) Roselle Park def. (11) Florence, 72-30
• (7) Thrive Charter def. (10) Manville, 57-20
• (2) Bound Brook def. (15) Dayton, 54-26

Non-Public South B

• (8) Doane Academy def. (9) Holy Cross Prep, 55-36
• (5) Stuart Day def. (12) Noor ul-iman, 80-22
• (11) Ranney def. (6) Moorestown Friends, 64-40
• (7) Koinonia def. (1) Calvary Christian, 78-44

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 (QUARTERFINALS)

Central Jersey Group 4

• (8) Freehold Twp. at (1) Franklin, noon
• (5) Jackson Twp. at (4) Hunterdon Central, 4 pm
• (6) Princeton at (3) Hillsborough, 11 am
• (7) Marlboro at (2) East Brunswick, 11 am

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4

• (9) Woodbridge at (1) Bayonne, 1:30 pm
• (5) Columbia at (4) Plainfield, 1 pm
• (11) Union at (3) Piscataway, 10 am
• (10) Watchung Hills at (2) Westfield, 12 pm

Central Jersey Group 2

• (9) Spotswood at (1) Manasquan, 11 am
• (13) Metuchen at (12) Robbinsville, 5 pm
• (11) Governor Livingston at (3) Johnson, 2:30 pm
• (7) Point Pleasant Boro at (2) Rumson-Fair Haven, 12 pm

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2

• (9) Ridgefield Park at (1) Caldwell, 11 am
• (12) West Morris at (4) Voorhees, 11 am
• (6) Hackettstown at (3) Madison, 11 am
• (7) Hanover Park at (2) Bernards, 1 pm

MONDAY, MARCH 2 (QUARTERFINALS)

Note: Not all game times have been announced. This schedule will be updated as game times are set.

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3

• (8) Summit at (1) Somerville, 5:30 pm
• (5) Chatham at (4) Cranford
• (6) North Hunterdon vs. (3) Millburn
• (7) Mendham at (2) Colonia, 5 pm

Central Jersey Group 1

• (8) Shore at (1) New Providence
• (5) Brearley at (4) South Amboy
• (6) Roselle Park at (3) Keansburg
• (7) Thrive Charter at (2) Bound Brook

Non-Public North A

• (9) Oak Knoll at (1) Morris Catholic, 7 pm
• (5) Mount St. Dominic at (4) DePaul, 4:30 pm
• (6) Pingry at (3) Pope John, 5:30 pm
• (10) Paramus Catholic at (2) Immaculate Heart, 5:30 pm

Non-Public South A

• (8) Union Catholic at (1) Red Bank Catholic, 5:30 pm
• (5) Trinity Hall at (4) St. Thomas Aquinas, 6 pm
• (6) Camden Catholic at (3) Paul VI, L:30 pm
• (7) Bishop Eustace at (2) St. John Vianney, 5 pm

Non-Public North B

• (6) Mount St. Dominic at (3) Hudson Catholic, 4:30 pm
• (7) Roselle Catholic at (2) Saddle River Day, 4:30 pm

Non-Public South B

• (9) Holy Cross Prep at (1) Rutgers Prep, 5 pm
• (5) Stuart Day at (4) Holy Spirit
• (11) Ranney at (3) Wildwood Catholic
• (7) Koinonia at (2) Gloucester Catholic

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

Non-Public North B Semifinals

• (4) Villa Walsh at (1) Gill St. Bernard’s
• (3) Hudson Catholic/(6) Mount St. Dominic vs. (2) Saddle River Day/(2) Roselle Catholic

First the blizzard, then the aftermath, and a long two-day wait. But the NJSIAA state high school basketball tournament finally got underway Thursday night with 23 Central Jersey Sports Radio coverage area teams in action in public Groups 2 and 4 and Non-Public Group A.

Overall, eleven moved on, while a dozen saw their seasons come to a close.

Here’s a look at some of the key wins, followed by all results, and the upcoming schedule.

Woodbridge wins first state tournament game in 12 years…

The last time the Barrons’ girls’ basketball team won a state tournament game it was 2014. They topped Northern Burlington on the road in Central Jersey Group 3 play, 51-32, then lost in the next round, 93-36, at Neptune, to finish 13-13.

But 9th-seed Woodbridge snapped that long drought Thursday night, leading most of the way and holding on despite a late surge by 8th-seed North Star Academy up in Newark, 66-53, behind 17 points from Laila Stanford, 15 points and seven rebounds from Angel Smith, and another 15 points – including three treys – from Layla Mercado. Bobbi Jo Timinski added eight, and two more from downtown in what was a well-rounded effort from the Barrons (17-8), the GMC’s White American Division champion.

Woodbridge now has to go on the road again to face the top-seed, Bayonne, which is 23-4, and won the HCIAL American Division this season at 6-0.

Click below to hear Woodbridge girls’ basketball coach Bobby Timinski talk about the win with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko:

Bernards’ Reynolds joins 1,000-1,000 club…

Last season, Aletha Reynolds scored her 1,000th point as a junior in a 58-39 win against Belvidere. Thursday night, she joined the 1,000 rebound club as well.

She got it in a 58-28 rout by the second-seeded Mountaineers over 15th-seed Lyndhurst, finishing with 15 points and nine boards. She now has 1,465 points and 1,001 rebounds in her stellar four-year varsity career.

Bernards (23-4) now goes on to host the sectional quarterfinals Saturday afternoon at 1 pm against 7th-seed Hanover Park (18-10).

Hillsborough continues postseason success…

The Raiders have won sectional titles each of the last two years – the first in North 2, Group 4, the second in Central Jersey Group 4 – and won their first-ever state Group 4 championship last winter. And even though they only got a three-seed this year in CJ4, they’re off to another good start.

Thursday night, Hillsborough cruised past 14th-seed West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 52-21, giving eleven wins in their last 12 state tournament games.

Alexa Gaspar scored 11 points, while Isabella Ruh had ten rebounds in a game the Raiders (19-6) led 23-5 after one, leaving little to doubt. The Raiders will host 6-seed Princeton Saturday in the sectional quarterfinals.

Metuchen stuns South River in Central 2…

Fourth-seed South River (19-8) fell to 13th-seed Metuchen (14-13) in one of the night’s biggest upsets by seed, 50-35 at home Thursday night, as Victoria Zaniecki logged a double-double of 24 points, 11 rebounds, her 15th such effort this season, and third straight. And they may have a good chance to get to the semifinals, as they’ll meet 12-seed Robbinsville on the road Saturday, after the Ravens knocked off 5th-seed Bordentown on the road Thursday night, 54-37.

The Bulldogs’ last trip to a sectional semifinal came in 2017 in Central Jersey Group 1, when they beat South Hunterdon and South Amboy in the first two rounds, but lost to Shore in the semis.

FIRST ROUND RESULTS

Central Jersey Group 4

• (1) Franklin def. (16) Manalapan, 75-17
• (8) Freehold Twp. def. (9) Sayreville, 71-42
• (5) Jackson Twp. def. (12) Monroe, 62-37
• (4) Hunterdon Central def. (13) Trenton, 48-15
• (3) Hillsborough def. (14) West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 52-21
• (6) Princeton def. (11) Old Bridge, 66-39
• (7) Marlboro def. (10 Montgomery, 54-48
• (2) East Brunswick def. (15) Hightstown, 70-30

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4

• (1) Bayonne def. (16) Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 54-42
• (9) Woodbridge def. (8) North Star Academy, 66-53
• (5) Columbia def. (12) Linden, 66-38
• (4) Plainfield def. (13) Ridge, 66-25
• (3) Piscataway def. (14) Perth Amboy, 69-38
• (11) Union def. (6) Elizabeth, 57-50
• (10) Watchung Hills def. (7) Bridgewater-Raritan, 46-40
• (2) Westfield def. (15) JP Stevens, 67-26

Central Jersey Group 2

• (1) Manasquan def. (16) Ocean Twp., 55-24
• (9) Spotswood def. (8) Delaware Valley, 64-48
• (12) Robbinsville def. (5) Bordentown, 54-37
• (13) Metuchen def. (4) South River, 50-35
• (3) Johnson def. (14) Holmdel, 57-39
• (11) Governor Livingston def. (6) Piscataway Magnet, 64-17
• (7) Pt. Pleasant Boro def. (10 Delran, 63-50
• (2) Rumson-Fair Haven def. (15) Wall, 54-39

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2

• (1) Caldwell def. (16) Harrison, 64-18
• (9) Ridgefield Park def. (8) Snyder, 48-45
• (12) West Morris def. (5) Rutherford, 54-43
• (4) Voorhees def. (13) Weequahic, 49-13
• (3) Madison def. (14) Newark West Side, 66-24
• (6) Hackettstown def. (11) Hoboken, 53-50
• (7) Hanover Park def. (10) Newark Collegiate, 40-32
• (2) Bernards def. (15) Lyndhurst, 58-25

Non-Public North A

• (9) Oak Knoll def. (8) Montclair-Kimberley, 43-37
• (5) Mount St. Dominic def. (12) Holy Angels, 83-46
• (4) DePaul def. (13) Newark Academy, 83-36
• (3) Pope John def. (14) St. Elizabeth, 71-33
• (6) Pingry def. (11) Kent Place, 43-11
• (10 Paramus Catholic def. (7) Dwight-Englewood
• (2) Immaculate Heart def. (15) Morristown-Beard, 54-14

Non-Public South A

• (8) Union Catholic def. (9) Princeton Day, 69-48
• (5) Trinity Hall def. (12) Our Lady of Mercy, 54-48
• (4) St. Thomas Aquinas def. (13) Immaculata, 73-42
• (3) Paul VI def. (14) Mount St. Mary, 59-24
• (6) Camden Catholic def. (11) Notre Dame, 56-33
• (7) Bishop Eustace def. (10) St. Rose, 57-48
• (2) St. John Vianney def. (15) Donovan Catholic, 67-16

Non-Public North B (Quarterfinals)

• (1) Gill St. Bernard’s def. (8) Pioneer Academy, 68-31
• (4) Villa Walsh def. (5) Eastern Christian, 49-25

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27 (FIRST ROUND)

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3

• (16) Warren Hills at (1) Somerville, 5:30 pm
• (9) Carteret at (8) Summit, 5 pm
• (12) Randolph at (5) Chatham, 5 pm
• (13) North Plainfield at (4) Cranford, 5 pm
• (14) Orange at (3) Millburn, 7 pm
• (11) Fort Lee at (6) North Hunterdon, 5:45 pm
• (1) South Plainfield at (7) Mendham, 5 pm
• (15) Cliffside Park at (2) Colonia, 5 pm

Central Jersey Group 1

• (16) Dunellen at (1) New Providence, 4 pm
• (9) Middlesex at (8) Shore, 6 pm
• (12) Highland Park at (5) Brearley, 4:30 pm
• (13) Henry Hudson at (4) South Amboy, 4:30 pm
• (14) College Achieve Central at (3) Keansburg, 4 pm
• (11) Florence at (6) Roselle Park, 5:30 pm
• (10) Manville at (7) Thrive Charter, 5 pm
• (15) Dayton at (2) Bound Brook, 4:30 pm

Non-Public South B

• (9) Holy Cross Prep at (8) Doane Academy, TBA; winner at (1) Rutgers Prep
• (12) Noor ul-iman at (5) Stuart Day, 4 pm; winner at (4) Holy Spirit
• (11) Ranney at (6) Moorestown Friends, 6 pm; winner at (3) Wildwood Catholic
• (10) Calvary Christian at (7) Koinonia, 6:30 pm; winner at (2) Gloucester Catholic

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 (SEMIFINALS)

Note: Not all game times have been announced. This schedule will be updated as game times are set.

Central Jersey Group 4

• (8) Freehold Twp. at (1) Franklin, noon
• (5) Jackson Twp. at (4) Hunterdon Central, 4 pm
• (6) Princeton at (3) Hillsborough, 11 am
• (7) Marlboro at (2) East Brunswick, 11 am

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4

• (9) Woodbridge at (1) Bayonne, 1:30 pm
• (5) Columbia at (4) Plainfield, 1 pm
• (11) Union at (3) Piscataway, 10 am
• (10) Watchung Hills at (2) Westfield, 12 pm

Central Jersey Group 2

• (9) Spotswood at (1) Manasquan, 11 am
• (13) Metuchen at (12) Robbinsville, 5 pm
• (11) Governor Livingston at (3) Johnson, 2:30 pm
• (7) Point Pleasant Boro at (2) Rumson-Fair Haven, 12 pm

North Jersey, Section 2, Group 2

• (9) Ridgefield Park at (1) Caldwell, 11 am
• (12) West Morris at (4) Voorhees, 11 am
• (6) Hackettstown at (3) Madison, 11 am
• (7) Hanover Park at (2) Bernards, 1 pm

Non-Public North A

• (9) Oak Knoll at (1) Morris Catholic, 7 pm
• (5) Mount St. Dominic at (4) DePaul, 4:30 pm
• (6) Pingry at (3) Pope John, 5:30 pm
• (10) Paramus Catholic at (2) Immaculate Heart, 5:30 pm

Non-Public South A

• (8) Union Catholic at (1) Red Bank Catholic, 5:30 pm
• (5) Trinity Hall at (4) St. Thomas Aquinas, 6 pm
• (6) Camden Catholic at (3) Paul VI, L:30 pm
• (7) Bishop Eustace at (2) St. John Vianney, 5 pm

MONDAY, MARCH 2

Non-Public North B Quarterfinals

• (6) Mount St. Dominic at (3) Hudson Catholic, 4:30 pm
• (7) Roselle Catholic at (2) Saddle River Day, 4:30 pm

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

Non-Public North B Semifinals

• (4) Villa Walsh at (1) Gill St. Bernard’s, TBA
• (3) Hudson Catholic/(6) Mount St. Dominic vs. (2) Saddle River Day/(2) Roselle Catholic, TBA