Tag: NJSIAA Tournament

by Mike Pavlichko

A split for the Vikings, as South Brunswick boys win, gain final, but girls lose, putting Monroe in a final, too

Both South Brunswick and Monroe will be playing for titles Tuesday night.

The South Brunswick boys – the top-seed in Central Jersey Group 4 – advanced to the sectional final with a 72-61 home win over 7th-seed Marlboro.

The Vikings will play the winner of today’s other semifinal between top-seeded Trenton and fifth-seed Middletown South. Either way, South Brunswick would be playing on the road.

The Monroe girls – the third-seed in CJ4 – knocked off two-seed South Brunswick on the road, 59-42, to advance to their sectional final. Evangelina Francisco again led the way for Monroe, scoring 26 points

The Falcons will play host to 5th-seed Jackson Memorial on Tuesday night at a time to be announced. Jackson shocked top-seed Hightstown on the road Saturday, 61-44.

by Mike Pavlichko

Rutgers Prep, Gill, Aquinas, St. Joe’s all advance to sectional semifinals Monday, while Colonia knocks off top-seed South Plainfield

There’s a pretty mammoth matchup brewing in the Non-Public North B section, and it’s not even for a trophy.

Top-seed St. Thomas Aquinas and 4th-seed Roselle Catholic – both top five teams statewide – will meet in the sectional semifinals Monday night in North Edison, after both won Friday evening games in the quarterfinals.

Aquinas (25-3) blew past Timothy Christian (14-13) in an all-GMC matchup, 99-40. The Trojans pulled ahead early on the strength of a 27-11 first quarter, and led 57-26 at the half. Seven players scored in double digits for Aquinas, which was led by Terrell Pitts and Jaden Kelly, each with 16 points. Point guard Michael “Deuce” Jones added 14.

Now, they get to host national power Roselle Catholic in their own gym Monday night for a trip to the sectional title game Wednesday night, 5 pm in Franklin. The Rams beat 5th-seed Morris Catholic 98-63 Friday evening.

In the other side of the bracket, 2nd-seed Gill St. Bernard’s (19-7) won its quarterfinal game over 7th-seed Saddle River Day, 64-59. The Knights trailed 28-24 at halftime, and 43-34 heading into the fourth quarter before outscoring SRD 30-16 over the game’s final eight minutes. Mario Castro-Sanchez led the way with 19 points and six rebounds, while big man Ebrahim Kaba added 15 points and seven boards.

Gill will play host to 6th-seed Montclair-Immaculate in the other semifinal Monday night, after they beat 3rd-seed St. Mary-Rutherford 81-45.

In Non-Public South A, 6th-seed St. Joseph-Metuchen and 7th-seed Rutgers Prep will play in one semifinal. The Falcons (17-10) were 71-68 winners over 3rd-seed Immaculata (19-6) in Somerville Friday night, as Josh Ingram put up a big 33 points in the win. Seventh-seed Rutgers Prep (22-7) won in deep South Jersey Friday night, beating 2-seed St. Augustine on the road, 78-74 in overtime, behind a 33-point night from Jadin Collins.

Prep and Joe’s played each other in a GMC-Skyland crossover just three weeks ago, with St. Joe’s Coming out with a 73-61 win in Somerset on February second.

Meanwhile, in the only game involving two local public schools, 4th-seed Colonia knocked off top-seed South Plainfield 64-45 in the North 2, Group 3 semifinals. Click here for a full recap of the game including postgame interviews by CJSR’s Chris Tsakonas. Now, the Patriots will play for a second straight sectional title when they host 6th-seed Snyder out of Jersey City Monday night. Snyder beat 7th-seed Payne Tech of Newark, 76-62.

Below are full results from Friday night in sections involving area teams. Scroll further down for the upcoming schedule:

North 2, Group 3
#4 Colonia def. #1 South Plainfield, 64-45
#6 Snyder def. #7 Payne Tech, 76-62

Non-Public South A
#1 Camden Catholic def. #8 red Bank Catholic, 62-33
#5 Union Catholic def. #4 Paul VI, 64-58
#6 St. Joseph-Metuchen def. #3 Immaculata, 71-68
#7 Rutgers Prep def. #2 St. Augustine, 78-74

Non-Public North B
#1 St. Thomas Aquinas def. #8 Timothy Christian, 99-40
#4 Roselle Catholic def. #5 Morris Catholic, 98-63
#6 Montclair-Immaculate def. #3 St. Mary-Rutherford, 81-45
#2 Gill St. Bernard’s def. #7 Saddle River Day, 64-59

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

SATURDAY

Central Group 4 Semifinals
#4 Jackson Memorial at #1 Trenton
#7 Marlboro at #6 South Brunswick

Central Group 2 Semifinals
#4 Bound Brook at #1 South River
#3 Raritan at #2 Manasquan

North 2, Group 4 Semifinals
#8 Newark East Side at #5 Westfield
#3 Hillsborough at #2 Linden

MONDAY

North 2, Group 3 Final
#6 Snyder at #4 Colonia

Non-Public South A Semifinals
#5 Union Catholic at #1 Camden Catholic
#7 Rutgers Prep at #6 St. Joseph-Metuchen

Non-Public North B Semifinals
#4 Roselle Catholic at #1 St. Thomas Aquinas
#6 Montclair-Immaculata at #2 Gill St. Bernard’s

by Mike Pavlichko

Middlesex is lone girls’ public to move on to a title game Monday, while Rutgers Prep wins in Non-Public sectional quarters

Just two Central Jersey Sports Radio-are girls’ basketball teams advanced in the state tournament Friday night, with Middlesex advancing to the Central Jersey Group 1 final Monday, while Rutgers Prep won to advance to the Non-Public South B semifinals.

In an all-GMC matchup, second-seed Middlesex (20-8) was in control nearly wire-to-wire in a 69-42 win over third-seed Dunellen (19-10). Senior Neysa Aguilar pumped in 32 points for the Blue Jays, and now is averaging nearly 23 points per game in three state tourney games.

The victory earns Middlesex a trip to the Central Jersey Group 1 Final on Monday night at top-seed Shore Regional (22-6), which was a 61-41 winner Friday night over Pt. Pleasant Beach (21-6).

In North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 action, fifth-seed Colonia’s season was ended by top-seed Randolph, which won at home 50-46.

On the non-public side, the only area winner was Rutgers Prep. The third-seeded Lady Argonauts (23-4) were 91-43 winners in the Non-Public South B quarterfinals over 6th-seed Trenton Catholic (13-11). Head coach Mary Klinger emptied her bench, playing 13 players in the game.

Senior Katie Ledden scored 26 points and added six rebounds, while junior Mikayla Blakes added 21, and freshman Ava LoMonica notched a double-double, scoring 12 points and grabbing 13 rebounds. Prep led big early, 29-8 after one quarter, and 56-17 at the halftime break.

In the semifinals, Prep will go on the road to face 2-seed St. Rose in Belmar, after they crushed 7-seed Bishop Eustace Friday night, 77-23. The other semi will feature 5th-seed Holy Spirit at top-seed Wildwood Catholic.

In Non-Public North B, fifth-seed Gill St. Bernard’s was eliminated by 4th-seed Montclair-Immaculate, 55-49, while 7th-seed Wardlaw Hartridge was beaten 89-16 by 2-seed Morris Catholic.

And in Non-Public South A, 5th-seed St. Thomas Aquinas lost on the road to 4th-seed Red Bank Catholic, 47-38.

Below are Friday night scores, with full results in sections with teams remaining. Scroll further down for the upcoming girls’ schedule.

North 2, Group 3
#1 Randolph def. #5 Colonia, 50-46

Central Group 1
#1 Shore Regional def. #5 Pt. Pleasant Beach, 61-41
#2 Middlesex def. #3 Dunellen, 69-42

Non-Public South A
#4 Red Bank Catholic def. #5 St. Thomas Aquinas, 47-38

Non-Public North B
#4 Montclair-Immaculate def. #5 Gill St. Bernard’s, 55-49
#2 Morris Catholic def. #7 Wardlaw-Hartridge, 89-16

Non-Public South B
#1 Wildwood Catholic def. #8 Gloucester Catholic, 41-34
#5 Holy Spirit def. #4 Holy Cross Prep, 67-60
#3 Rutgers Prep def. #6 Trenton Catholic, 91-43
#2 St. Rose-Belmar def. #7 Bishop Eustace, 77-23

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

SATURDAY

Central Group 4 Semifinals
#5 Jackson Memorial at #1 Hightstown
#3 Monroe at #2 South Brunswick

North 2, Group 4 Semifinals
#4 Westfield at #1 Bayonne
#7 Scotch Plains-Fanwood at #6 Watchung Hills

MONDAY

Central Group 1 Final
#2 Middlesex at #1 Shore Regional

Non-Public South B Semifinals
#5 Holy Spirit at #1 Wildwood Catholic
#3 Rutgers Prep at #2 St. Rose-Belmar

by Mike Pavlichko

Colonia rides explosive team scoring in 64-45 N2-G3 semifinal win over South Plainfield

Despite trailing by ten early, fourth-seed Colonia was able to quickly regain its momentum offensively and take charge in the second half as the Patriots beat South Plainfield 64-45 to move on to the North 2, Group 3 title game against the winner of Payne Tech vs Snyder on Monday night.

The Tigers opened on a 12-2 run in the opening four minutes, but the Patriots (21-8) regained the initiative by ending the half with a 30-9 scoring advantage. After leading by 11 at the half, Colonia built on its lead further in the second half and got the stops they needed to stay in control of the game.

It was a collective effort on offense for the Patriots, as five players finished in double figures – led by junior Jaeden Jones with 16 points. It wasn’t just the juniors and seniors lighting up the scoreboard, either: freshman Aiden Derkack had 11 on the night, while sophomore Zach Smith had 12 on four three pointers. James Curet scored 13, while Anthony Gooden also had 11.

For South Plainfield (23-6), Tareak Williams was the leading scorer, scoring 17 points with 2 three-pointers. Also finishing in double figures was Brandon Dean with 15 points. As a team, the Tigers hit six treys, with four of those six coming in the 12-2 run at the beginning of the game.

Colonia now will play in the North 2, Group 3 final for the second straight year, after winning the title in 2022. They will face either 7-seed Payne Tech or 6-seed Snyder at home Monday night.

Click below for postgame reaction from Colonia’s win in the North 2 Group 3 semifinals, brought to you by the SportsPlex at Metuchen: 







Follow Sportsplex at Metuchen on Instagram for the latest on open gym sessions on their courts and turf!






Colonia junior Jaeden Jones





Colonia head coach Jose Rodriguez


					


					
				



				
			
				


			
			South River's gym		
	
	

		

							

										 by Mike Pavlichko									

						
			
Par for the course this year, South River expecting a packed gym for C2 semifinal against Bound Brook
		


		

			

They met back on January seventh in Bound Brook with both teams undefeated.  South River came away with a tight, 66-61 win over the home team Crusaders.





But now, with a trip to the Central Jersey Group 1 title game on the line, they will meet again – this time at top-seed South River, 1:00 Saturday afternoon.





And there won’t be a seat to be had.





READ MORE:  No. 10 South River frustrates No. 6 Bound Brook in unbeaten clash at GMC-Skyland Challenge





The South River band box fits 500.  Fourth-seed Bound Brook has been allotted 180 tickets.  Both schools will be selling them after school Friday, and Rams’ Athletic Director Carl Buffalino says if they sell out, the doors will be closed.  That’s it.  No one else gets in.  





My money is on a sell-out, and it’s going to be one helluvan atmosphere.






Spotswood at South River
South River and Spotswood square off before a packed house, with the students on their feet the entire game, in a GMC Blue Division matchup on January 20, 2023  (Photo: Mike Pavlichko)






South River tickets are on sale from 2:15 to 4 pm in the high school’s main office.  Even at tiny South River, a small Group 2 school, those 300-plus tickets will go fast.  





Bound Brook is selling tickets at the attendance office at the high school from 2:30 to 4:30, with permission slips for student buses making the trek down River Road and Route 18.  They’ll be lucky to have any tickets left by 3:00.





The Rams (25-3) have been the darling of the GMC all year, since they knocked off St. Joseph-Metuchen the day after Christmas. m They earned the three-seed in the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament, but lost 53-41 in the semifinals to South Brunswick, the seven-seed.  (The Vikings also are in a sectional semifinal – Central Group 4 – Saturday afternoon.)





They have a senior-laden team that has grown up together, including standouts Laz Rodriguez, Roman Santos, Gavin Franco and Jeremy Grospe, whose sophomore brother Alex runs the point and is a sharpshooter like his sibling. 





Bound Brook (22-4) is coming off a revenge win over Rumson-Fair Haven at their place Thursday night, against the team that blew them out down the Shore last year in the Central Jersey Group 2 title game.  The Crusaders don’t go deep into their bench, but Jordan Summers has been a four-year monster for The Brook, with senior Jordan Robinson and sophomore Jackson Morrison right behind him in scoring.





The Crusaders may be a bit more physical, but both can unleash the three-ball.  To wit, Bound Brook has nailed 177 from beyond the arc this season.  South River has hit 166 treys.





It’s gonna be a helluva game.


					


					
				



				
			
				


			
					
	
	

		

							

										 by Mike Pavlichko									

						
			
Bound Brook-South River rematch on tap in states as four boys’ teams advance in NJSIAA sectional quarterfinals Thursday night
		


		

			

They met January 7th as part of the GMC-Skyland Challenge.  They’ll meet again Saturday for a trip to the Central Jersey Group 2 semifinals.





Fourth-seed Bound Brook (22-4) avenged last year’s sectional title game blowout loss at Rumson-Fair Haven by rallying late to beat the 5th-seeded Bulldogs, 46-45, in one quarterfinal game, as Jordan Summers notched a double-double with 18 points and 11 boards, while Jackson Morrison added 13 points.  





Click below to hear Mike Pavlichko talk with Bound Brook head coach Anthony Melesurgo:










In the other half of that side of the bracket, top-seed South River (25-3) built an early lead – 22-8 at the end of one quarter – and cruised past 9th-seedPoint Pleasant Boro, winning 83-56 at home.  Brothers Jeremy and Alex Grospe each had 19 points and combined for eight treys; Jeremy had five.





It sets up a rematch of a January battle between the teams, which were both unbeaten at the time, and which saw the Rams win 66-61 in a game heard on Central Jersey Sports Radio.  Saturday’s CJ2 title game will tip off at 1 pm.





The other semifinal will be 3rd-seed Raritan at 2-seed Manasquan.





In other action, in Central Jersey Group 4, just one team advanced:  that was 6th-seed South Brunswick (19-6) pulling the seed upset over 3rd-seed North Brunswick (21-7) on the road, 72-46.  The Vikings jumped out to a 22-5 lead over the first eight minutes and never looked back, led by Kalani Antoine’s monster game of 31 points.





South Brunswick will get to host another game now, as 7th-seed Marlboro knocked off 2nd-seed Freehold Township on the road, 55-42.  Saturday’s CJ4 semifinal is set for 1 pm.  The other semifinal will be 5-eed Middletown South at top-seed Trenton.





And over in North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4, third-seed Hillsborough advanced, while top-seed Ridge was upset and seventh-seed Franklin was eliminated.





The Raiders (19-7) were 48-41 home winners over 6th-seed Columbia out of Maplewood-South Orange, behind 16 points from St. Thomas Aquinas transfer Phillip Unangst, and 14 from Jayden Green.  They’ll play in the sectional semis Saturday at Linden; the 2nd-seeded Tigers eliminated 7th-seed Franklin 49-43.





The other semifinal will be 8th-seed Newark East Side at 5th-seed Westfield.  East Side knocked off top-seed Ridge 49-43.





In North 2, Group 2, 11th-seed Bernards was eliminated by 14th-seed Newark West Side 69-46.





Below are Thursday night’s results in sections involving area teams, with full scores where teams remain alive.  Scroll further down for the upcoming schedule.





Central Group 4
#1 Trenton def. #8 West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 60-47
#5 Middletown North def. #4 Jackson Memorial, 63-58
#6 South Brunswick def. #3 North Brunswick, 72-46
#7 Marlboro def. #2 Freehold Twp., 55-42





Central Group 2
#1 South River def. #9 Point Pleasant Boro, 83-56
#4 Bound Brook def. #5 Rumson-Fair Haven, 46-45
#3 Raritan def. #6 Delaware Valley, 47-33
#2 Manasquan def. #7 Roselle, 76-41





North 2, Group 4
#8 Newark East Side def. #1 Ridge, 49-43
#5 Westfield def. #13 Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 59-56
#3 Hillsborough def. #6 Columbia, 48-41
#2 Linden def. #7 Franklin, 49-43





North 2, Group 2
#14 Newark West Side def. #11 Bernards, 69-46





UPCOMING SCHEDULE





FRIDAY





North 2 Group 3 Semifinals
#4 Colonia at #1 South Plainfield
#7 Payne Tech at #6 Snyder





Non-Public South A Quarterfinals
#8 Red Bank Catholic at #1 Camden Catholic
#5 Union Catholic at #4 Paul VI
#6 St. Joseph-Metuchen at #3 Immaculata
#7 Rutgers Prep at #2 St. Augustine





Non-Public North B Quarterfinals
#8 Timothy Christian at #1 St. Thomas Aquinas
#5 Morris Catholic at #4 Roselle Catholic
@6 Montclair-Immaculata at #3 St. Mary-Rutherford
#7 Saddle River Day at #2 Gill St. Bernard’s





SATURDAY





Central Group 4 Semifinals
#4 Jackson Memorial at #1 Trenton
#7 Marlboro at #6 South Brunswick





Central Group 2 Semifinals
#4 Bound Brook at #1 South River
#3 Raritan at #2 Manasquan





North 2, Group 4 Semifinals
#8 Newark East Side at #5 Westfield 
#3 Hillsborough at #2 Linden 








					


					
				



				
			
				


			
					
	
	

		

							

										 by Mike Pavlichko									

						
			
Good night for local boys’ squads in the NJSIAA state tournament, as five of seven advance
		


		

			

It was a good night generally for teams from the Central Jersey Sports Radio coverage area, as five advanced Wednesday night in the NJSIAA boys’ state basketball tournament, including two GMC schools that will meet for the first time this season with a sectional semifinal on the line.





In North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3, top-seed South Plainfield and 4th-seed Colonia both advanced, and will play for a trip to the title game Friday at 5:30 pm in South Plainfield.  Click here for more detailed coverage of the game, including postgame interviews with Tigers’ head coach John Greco and Colonia head coach Jose Rodriguez.





In Non-Public South A, two area teams moved on to quarterfinal action.  Sixth-seed St. Joseph-Metuchen got a game-high 27 points from senior Anthony Williams and led most of the way in a 75-61 victory over 11th-seed Pingry, while 7th-seed Rutgers Prep also led most of the way in knocking out 10th-seed Christian Brothers of Lincroft, 74-58.  Senior Cameron Piggee, the hero of the Somerset County Tournament title game, scored 24 points, while fellow senior Jadin Collins added 22.





In Non-Public North B, eighth-seed Timothy Christian got past 9th-seed Eastern Christian 82-59 in Piscataway behind a career-high 33 points from sophomore Myles Dickerson.





The only teams to get knocked out Wednesday night were 6th-seed Manville in Central Jersey Group 1 – losing 58-46 at third-seed Point Pleasant Beach – while 5th-seed Calvary Christian of Old Bridge was bounced by 12th-seed Doane Academy of Burlington County, 63-36, in Non-Public South B play.





Below are results for all area teams, including full results in sections with area teams remaining.  Scroll further down for the upcoming schedule, including games resulting from Wedensday night’s wins.





Central Group 1 Quarterfinals
#3 Pt. Pleasant Beach def. #6 Manville, 58-46





North 2 Group 3 Quarterfinals
#1 South Plainfield def. #8 Summit, 55-51
#4 Colonia def. #5 Chatham, 60-51
#6 Snyder def #3 Mendham, 56-53
#7 Payne Tech def. #2 West Morris, 69-59





Non-Public South A First Round
#8 Red Bank Catholic def. #9 Notre Dame, 65-51
#5 Union Catholic def. #12 St. John Vianney, 69-51
#4 Paul VI def #13 Donovan Catholic, 90-32
#6 St. Joseph-Metuchen def. #11 Pingry, 74-61
#7 Rutgers Prep def. #10 Christian Brothers, 74-58
Byes:  #1 Camden Catholic, #2 St. Augustine, #3 Immaculata





Non-Public North B First Round
#8 Timothy Christian def. #8 Eastern Christian, 82-59
#5 Morris Catholic def #12 Morristown-Beard, 82-41
#4 Roselle Catholic def. #13 Koinonia, 101-25
#6 Montclair-Immaculata def. #11 Pioneer Academy, 79-43
#10 Hawthorne Christian at #7 Saddle River Day (score unavailable)
Byes  #1 St. Thomas Aquinas, #2 Gill St. bernard’s, #3 St. Mary-Rutherford





Non-Public South B First Round
#12 Doane Academy def. #5 Calvary Christian (Old Bridge), 63-36





UPCOMING SCHEDULE





THURSDAY





Central Group 4 Quarterfinals
#8 West Windsor-Plainsboro South at #1 Trenton
#5 Middletown South at #4 Jackson Memorial
#6 South Brunswick at #3 North Brunswick
#7 Marlboro at #2 Freehold Twp.





Central Group 2 Quarterfinals
#9 Point Pleasant Boro at #1 South River
#5 Rumson-Fair Haven at #4 Bound Brook
#6 Delaware Valley at #3 Raritan
#7 Roselle at #2 Manasquan





North 2, Group 4 Quarterfinals
#8 Newark East Side at #1 Ridge
#13 Scotch Plains-Fanwood at #5 Westfield
#6 Columbia at #3 Hillsborough
#7 Franklin at #2 Linden





North 2, Group 2 Quarterfinals
#8 Science Park at #1 Caldwell
#5 McNair at #4 Newark Collegiate
#14 West Side at #11 Bernards
#10 Hanover Park at #2 Madison





FRIDAY





North 2 Group 3 Semifinals
#4 Colonia at #1 South Plainfield
#7 Payne Tech at #6 Snyder





Non-Public South A Quarterfinals
#8 Red Bank Catholic at #1 Camden Catholic
#5 Union Catholic at #4 Paul VI
#6 St. Joseph-Metuchen at #3 Immaculata
#7 Rutgers Prep at #2 St. Augustine





Non-Public North B Quarterfinals
#8 Timothy Christian at #1 St. Thomas Aquinas
#5 Morris Catholic at #4 Roselle Catholic
36 Montclair-Immaculata at #3 St. Mary-Rutherford
Winner of #10 Hawthorne Christian/#7 Saddle River Day at #2 Gill St. Bernard’s







					


					
				



				
			
				


			
					
	
	

		

							

										 by Mike Pavlichko									

						
			
NJSIAA girls’ state tourney will get an all-GMC semifinal in Central Group 1, as five teams advance in playoffs
		


		

			

Dunellen and Middlesex will meet for a second time this year – this time for a trip to the Central Jersey Group 1 title game – as the two were among five Central Jersey Sports Radio-area schools to advance Wednesday in the NJSIAA state playoffs.





In a defensive battle, second-seed Middlesex held 7th-seed New Egypt scoreless in a 5-0 first quarter, led 12-5 at the half, then pulled away for a 46-30 win behind 17 points from Neysa Aguilar and 16 from Jessica Devine.  





Third-seed Dunellen won a GMC matchup over 6th-seed Highland Park at home, 48-47 in overtime, in a game that was neck-and-neck throughout.  Sophomore Jahzara McLaughlin led all scorers with a career-high 24 points for the Destroyers.





Now, the teams will square off Friday night in the CJ1 semifinals, in Middlesex, with a trip to the finals on the line.  The Blue Jays beat Dunellen 65-42 on December 27th in the Clem Santy Holiday Tournament.  





Other winners Wednesday night on the girls’ side included 5th-seed Colonia coming up with a road win at 4-seed Fort Lee, 47-40, in North 2, Group 3; fifth-seed St. Thomas Aquinas powered past 12th-seed Union Catholic 92-48 in Non-Public South A; and third-seed Rutgers Prep cruised past 14th-seed Moorestown Friends at home in Somerset, 76-25.  The Lady Argonauts bolted out to a 27-0 lead at the end of the first quarter of play.





Seven area teams were eliminated Wednesday night.





Below are results for area teams, and full results in sections with teams still alive.  Scroll further down for the upcoming schedule, including matchups based on Wednesday’s results.





Central Group 3 Quarterfinals
#4 Allentown def. #5 Somerville, 40-24





Central Group 1 Quarterfinals
#1 Shire def. #8 South Hunterdon, 50-30
#5 Pt. Pleasant Beach def. #13 Keyport, 46-11
#3 Dunellen def. #6 Highland Park, 48-47 (OT)
#2 Middlesex def. #7 New Egypt, 46-30





North 2, Group 3 Quarterfinals
#1 Randolph def. #8 North Plainfield, 71-46
#5 Colonia def. #4 Fort Lee, 47-40
#11 Mendham def. #3 Millburn, 51-47
#2 Chatham def. #7 Warren Hills, 68-32





Non-Public South A First Round
#9 Our Lady of Mercy def. #8 Pingry, 48-43
#5 St. Thomas Aquinas def. #12 Union Catholic, 92-48
#4 Red Bank Catholic def. #13 Donovan Catholic, 86-35
#3 Trinity Hall def. #14 Princeton Day, 67-21
#6 Camden Catholic def. #11 Immaculata, 60-17
#10 Notre Dame def. #7 Mount St. Mary 29-27
Byes:  #1 St. John Vianney, #2 Paul VI





Non-Public North B First Round
#9 Villa Walsh def. #8 Eastern Christian, 50-29
Byes:  #1 Saddle River Day, #2 Morris Catholic, #3 Lodi-Immaculate, #4-Montclair-Immaculate, #5 Gill St. Bernard’s, #6 Roselle Catholic, #7 Wardlaw-Hartridge










Non-Public South B First Round
#8 Gloucester Catholic def. #9 Ranney 43-38
#5 Holy Spirit def. #12 St. Joseph-Hammonton, 81-37
#4 Holy Cross Prep def. #13 Doane Academy, 67-24
#3 Rutgers Prep def. #14 Moorestown Friends, 76-25
#6 Trenton Catholic def. #11 Timothy Christian, 99-13
#7 Bishop Eustace def. #10 Calvary Christian (Old Bridge) 53-17
Byes:  #1 Wildwood Catholic, #2 St. Rose





UPCOMING SCHEDULE





THURSDAY





Central Group 4 Quarterfinals
#8 Old Bridge at #1 Hightstown
#5 Jackson Memorial at #4 East Brunswick
#6 Howell at #3 Monroe
#7 Long Branch at #2 South Brunswick





Central Group 2 Quarterfinals
#8 Roselle at #1 New Providence
#5 Voorhees at #4 Rumson-Fair Haven
#11 Bound Brook at #3 Holmdel
#10 South River at #2 Manasquan





North 2, Group 4 Quarterfinals
#8 Hillsborough at #1 Bayonne
#5 Edison at #4 Westfield
#6 Watchung Hills at #3 Irvington
#7 Scotch Plains-Fanwood





FRIDAY





Central Group 1 Semifinals
#3 Dunellen at #2 Middlesex
#5 Pt. Pleasant Beach at #1 Shore





North 2 Group 3 Semifinals
#5 Colonia at #1 Randolph
#11 Mendham at #2 Chatham





Non-Public South A Quarterfinals
#9 Our Lady of Mercy at #1 St. John Vianney
#5 St. Thomas Aquinas at #4 Red Bank Catholic
#6 Camden Catholic at #3 Trinity Hall
#10 Notre Dame at #2 Paul VI





Non-Public North B Quarterfinals
#9 Villa Walsh at #1 Saddle River Day
#5 Gill St. Bernard’s at #4 Montclair-Immaculate
#6 Roselle Catholic at #3 Lodi-Immaculate
#7 Wardlaw-Hartridge at #2 Morris Catholic





Non-Public South B Quarterfinals
#8 Gloucester Catholic at #1 Wildwood Catholic
#5 Holy Spirit at #4 Holy Cross Prep
#6 Trenton Catholic at #3 Rutgers Prep
#7 Bishop Eustace at #2 St. Rose


					


					
				



				
			
				


			
					
	
	

		

							

										 by Mike Pavlichko									

						
			
South Plainfield, Colonia earn all-GMC semifinal matchup in North 2 Group 3 Friday night
		


		

			

The Greater Middlesex Conference is guaranteed to have at least one team playing for a sectional title this year in the NJSIAA State Tournament.





Top-seed South Plainfield and fourth-seed Colonia won their North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 quarterfinal games on Wednesday night, with both teams rallying for wins.





The Tigers beat 8-seeed Summit 55-51 in overtime behind a monster game from Brandon Dean’s 34 points, who has now scored 34 twice in his team’s last three games.  South got off to a slow start, trailing 14-9 after one, but came back to take a 28-24 lead into halftime, before again falling behind in the third quarter.  Down 36-32 heading into the fourth, Dean helped his team send the game to OT at 46-all, then win in the end.





Click below to hear South Plainfield coach John Greco talk about the game:










Fourth-seed Colonia came up with a 60-51 win over fifth-seed Chatham, and – like the Tigers – also got out to a slow start, trailing 19-9 after one, and they made no progress before halftime, going into the break still down ten.  But a refocus on the Patriots’ game plan and an emphasis on rebounding helped Colonia to go on an 18-9 run, doubling up Chatham, to get to within one going into the game’s final eight minutes, before pulling it out in the fourth.  Noah Taylor had a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds, while James Curet added 11 boards.





Click below to hear Colonia head coach Jose Rodriguez talk about the win:










The wins set up an all-GMC semifinal game Friday night, with Colonia visiting the South Plainfield for a 5:30 pm tip-off.  Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Chris Tsakonas will have live updates on Twitter (follow him at @tsakonas_chris for updates) and postgame reaction after the game on our site, cjsportsradio.com.





The winner will move on to the North 2, Group 3 finals next Monday, time TBD, but will be guaranteed to host.  That’s because of two seed upsets on the other side of the bracket, as 6th-seed Snyder of Jersey City knocked off 3-seed Mendham 56-53, while 7th-seed Payne Tech out of Newark toppled 2-seed West Morris 69-59.  Whoever wins the South Plainfield-Colonia game will be the higher seed, earning the sectional final at home.


					


					
				



				
			
				


			
					
	
	

		

							

										 by Mike Pavlichko									

						
			
Bernards boys’ upset Hackettstown, while seven other higher seeds advance in Group 2 and 4 opening round action
		


		

			

Of the eight Central Jersey Sports Radio coverage area teams advancing in the opening round of the state playoffs on Tuesday for Groups 2 and 4, seven were higher seeds – including top-seed South River in Central Jersey Group 2 – while Bernards pulled off an upset in North 2, Group 2..





The 11th-ranked Mountaineers got a team-high 19 points from Ryan Gaglione – and another 14 from Connor Laverty – to get past 6th-seed Hackettstown on the road, 52-49.  Bernards trailed 27-22 at the half and cut the deficit to four after three quarters, but rallied on a 17-10 fourth quarter to win.





Below are full first-round results from Tuesday night in all the sections involving CJSR-area teams.  Scroll further down for the upcoming schedule, including matchups resulting from tonight’s games.





Central Group 4
#1 Trenton def. #16 Sayreville, 118-47
#8 West Windsor-Plainsboro South def. #9 Montgomery, 56-46
#5 Middletown south def. #12 Manalapan, 92-65
#4 Jackson Memorial def. #13 East Brunswick, 67-59
#3 North Brunswick def. #14 Princeton, 55-54
#6 South Brunswick def. #11 Old Bridge, 61-35
#7 Marlboro def. #10 Hightstown, 56-48
#2 Freehold Twp. def. #15 Howell, 61-48





Central Group 2
#1 South River def. #16 East Brunswick Magnet, 80-33
#9 Pt. Pleasant Boro def. #8 Spotswood, 51-42
#5 Rumson-Fair Haven def. #12 Roselle Park, 90-54
#4 Bound Brook def. #13 Holmdel, 57-43
#3 Raritan def. #14 Johnson, 66-37
#6 Delaware Valley def. #11 Bordentown, 59-39





North 2, Group 4
#1 Ridge def. #16 Woodbridge, 74-53
#8 Newark East Side def. #9 Bayonne, 56-39
#5 Westfield def. #12 Watchung Hills, 56-50
#13 Scotch Plains-Fanwood def. #4 Elizabeth, 65-55
#3 Hillsborough def. #14 JP Stevens, 53-46
#6 Columbia def. #11 Phillipsburg, 65-54
#7 Franklin def. #10 Irvington, 74-65
#2 Linden def. #15 Piscataway, 53-41





North 2, Group 2
#1 Caldwell def. #16 Becton, 67-41
#8 Science Park def. #8 Lyndhurst, 67-41
#5 McNair def. #12 Verona, 61-36
#4 Newark Central def. #13 Dayton, 66-57
#14 West Side def. #3 Rutherford, 76-71
#11 Bernards def. #6 Hackettstown, 52-49
#10 Hanover Park def. #7 New Providence, 51-41
#2 Madison def. #15 Newark Central, 52-42





Here is the upcoming schedule for all sections in which area teams remain:





WEDNESDAY





Central Group 1 Quarterfinals
#9 South Hunterdon at #1 Eagle Academy
#12 Brearley at #4 Keyport
#6 Manville at #3 Pt. Pleasant Beach
#7 Florence at #2 Shore





North 2 Group 3 Quarterfinals
#8 Summit at #1 South Plainfield
#5 Chatham at #4 Colonia
#6 Snyder at #3 Mendham
#7 Payne Tech at #2 West Morris





Non-Public South A First Round
#11 Pingry at #6 St. Joseph-Metuchen
#10 Christian Brothers at #7 Rutgers Prep





Non-Public North B First Round
#9 Eastern Christian at #8 Timothy Christian





Non-Public South B First Round
#12 Doane Academy at #5 Calvary Christian





THURSDAY





Central Group 4 Quarterfinals
#8 West Windsor-Plainsboro South at #1 Trenton
#5 Middletown South at #4 Jackson Memorial
#6 South Brunswick at #3 North Brunswick
#7 Marlboro at #2 Freehold Twp.





Central Group 2 Quarterfinals
#9 Point Pleasant Boro at #1 South River
#5 Rumson-Fair Haven at #4 Bound Brook
#6 Delaware Valley at #3 Raritan
#7 Roselle at #2 Manasquan





North 2, Group 4 Quarterfinals
#8 Newark East Side at #1 Ridge
#13 Scotch Plains-Fanwood at #5 Westfield
#6 Columbia at #3 Hillsborough
#7 Franklin at #2 Linden





North 2, Group 2 Quarterfinals
#8 Science Park at #1 Caldwell
#5 McNair at #4 Newark Collegiate
#14 West Side at #11 Bernards
#10 Hanover Park at #2 Madison





FRIDAY





Non-Public South A Quarterfinals
Winner of #11 Pingry/#6 St. Joseph-Metuchen at #3 Immaculata





Non-Public North B Quarterfinals
Winner of #9 Eastern Christian/#8 Timothy Christian at #1 St. Thomas Aquinas
Winner of #10 Hawthorne Christian/#7 Saddle River Day at #2 Gill St. Bernard’s