Tag: Skyland Conference Tournament

by Mike Pavlichko

An audio look back at Watchung Hills boys’ basketball, 2021 CJSR Team of the Year, with Coach Justin Salton, Trevor Bokach, Elijah Lewis

The Watchung Hills boys basketball team didn’t like how they left 2021: with losses in the Somerset County Tournament Final to Rutgers Prep, and in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 finals to Elizabeth.

So, they did something about it. They won the only tournament in which they could play in the 2021 season: they Skyland Conference Tournament’s top pod, the Blue Division.

READ MORE: The goal was: “Get hardware.” They did, and Watchung Hills is the CJSR boys’ basketball 2021 Team of the Year

They did it by beating the only two teams they lost to in the regular season, and then avenged last year’s loss in the SCT finals.

Click below to hear head coach Justin Salton, senior guard Trevor Bokach and junior guard Elijah Lewis talk about their season, from beginning to end:

by Mike Pavlichko

VIDEO RECAP & HIGHLIGHTS: A look back at Bound Brook’s Championship, and perfect finish

The Bound Brook boys’ basketball team on Saturday capped what is believed to be the first perfect season in Crusader history, at least in the modern era, winning the Skyland Conference Tournament’s Gold Division Pod with a 75-68 win over Immaculata.

We do know one thing for sure: the Crusaders were the only undefeated boys’ basketball team in either the Skyland or Greater Middlesex Conferences.

But while we delve deep into the archives – well, we’re not even sure they exist – to put this historical event in perspective, why not take a look at the video highlights from the game.

First, here’s a look at Bound Brook’s win with the play-by-play as heard on Central Jersey Sports Radio, and seen on the Bound Brook YouTube channel:

Here’s another look at the title game, with narration by Mike Pavlichko:

You can find both videos on Central Hersey Sports Radio’s YouTube channel, by clicking here.

by Mike Pavlichko

PERFECT! Bound Brook holds off frantic ‘Lata rally to win Skyland Gold Championship, finish 14-0

The game was less than perfect, but their season was.

The top-seeded Bound Brook Crusaders coughed up a 21-point third quarter lead in the fourth, but took it back and beat third-seed Immaculata 75-68 to win the Skyland Conference Tournament Gold Division Championship, heard Saturday afternoon on Central Jersey Sports Radio, powered by Bellamy & Son Paving.

The win put the exclamation mark on a Bound Brook season that ends up at 14-0, believed to be the Crusaders’ first-ever undefeated season, at least in the modern era.

After the first quarter ended with a 15-all tie, Brook took a nine point lead into the half, 36-27. They extended it to 21 midway through the third quarter, but Immaculata (6-8) started chipping away, and trailed only be 12 heading into the final quarter.

The Spartans kept chipping and chipping, until they tied the game at 60 with just under five minutes to go, and took a 62-60 lead soon after. Bound Brook pulled back ahead on a three by Cam’ron Summers, and went ahead by three with 3:22 to play on a Donovan Nwenyi steal and transition bucket.

Click below to listen to the sequence that game Bound Brook the lead for good:

Cam’ron Summers – a senior – finished with 16 points, all but one of which came in the second half, and 13 of them came in the fourth quarter.

Junior Quadir Harrell led all scorers with 21 points, 14 of which came after intermission, and despite not hitting a single three-point basket. He had hit three each in the first two games of the tournament.

Immaculata was led by junior Darren Tuck’s 15 points, including a pair of treys.

The win also gave Bound Brook a postseason sweep, as the Lady Crusaders took the girls’ Gold Division Pod Championship Friday night, beating Watchung Hills.

Click below to hear postgame reaction from Bound Brook’s win in the Skyland Conference Tournament Gold Division Championship game:

Head Coach Anthony Melesurgo
Senior forward Cam’ron Summers
Junior guard Quadir Harrell
by Mike Pavlichko

Friday Championship Recap: A look back at titles for Colonia boys; Monroe, Rutgers Prep and Bound Brook girls (with audio and photos)

It was a big night for high school basketball in the Skyland and Greater Middlesex Conferences, as the Skyland crowned girls’ pod championships, while the GMC held its boys’ and girl’s finals all on the same night.

Central Jersey Sports Radio covered four title games Friday night; here’s a audio look back at coverage from CJSR’s Mike Pavlichko, Dom Savino and Justin Sontupe:

by Mike Pavlichko

Spartans have a monumental task: knocking off undefeated Bound Brook

If the Immaculata Spartns – the third seed in the Skyland Conference Gold Division pod – is to win the whole thing, they will have to hand one of the last seven undefeated teams in the state of New Jersey its first defeat.

Immaculata (6-7) has played a tough schedule, with losses to Montgomery, Rutgers Prep and Ridge, so their record may be deceiving.

Bound Brook’s 13-0 record is not. They have played solid basketball all year long and are coming off a third win this season against Bernards, and their 22nd win in a row over the Mountaineers.

The two will face each other Saturday afternoon at 1:00 on Central Jersey Sports Radio, powered by Bellamy & Son Paving, on our final broadcast of the season. Listen to Mike Pavlichko and Dom Savino call all the action by clicking here. You can also watch the game on the Bound Brook YouTube stream, with commentary by CJSR, by clicking here.

Click below to hear Immaculata head coach Ryan McKeever talk about the matchup:

by Mike Pavlichko

No Dalce? No problem. Rutgers Prep girls cruise to win top Skyland Tournament pod

With little fanfare, Villanova-bound Christina Dalce missed Wednesday’s 73-18 semifinal pod win over 5th-seed Hunterdon Central. You wouldn’t have noticed unless you saw the box score, and no line with her name on it.

She missed top-seed Rutgers Prep’s championship game as well in the league’s top Blue Division pod, but the Argonauts still won.

They beat 2nd-seed Gill St. Bernard’s in yet another dominant performance, 69-41, to win the Blue title, in a game heard on Central Jersey Sports Radio, powered by Bellamy & Son Paving.

Senior Belle Pellecchia had a game- and career-high 25 points, including 12 free throws, more than making up for the absence of Dalce. Freshman guard Mikayla Blakes added 11, and dished out three assists.

The win moves Rutgers Prep to 12-0, with one more game to play. They host a “regular season” game against Saddle River Day Saturday afternoon at 1, after which the Rutgers Prep boys play in the top boys’ pod against Watchung Hills, a surprise winner over top-seed Gill St. Bernard’s in the semifinals.

The Gill girls drop to 10-2.

Click below to hear postgame reaction from Rutgers Prep’s win in the Skyland Conference Tournament’s Blue Division title game:

Rutgers Prep senior guard Belle Pellecchia
Rutgers Prep freshman guard Mikayla Blakes
Rutgers Prep head coach Mary Coyle-Klinger
by Mike Pavlichko

Bound Brook girls take Skyland Gold pod title with victory over Watchung Hills

There may not have been a state tournament for Bound Brook to win its sixth straight Central Jersey Group 1 crown, but no matter. They went out as champions anyway.

In fact, for the second year in a row, the Lady Crusaders went out with a win.

Last year, their season was cut short by COVID, when the NJSIAA shut down the state tournament. Bound Brook found out when they got back from their Group 1 semifinal road win over Woodbury.

This year, the end was more definitive, and they were all smiles.

Senior guard Arianna McCleod capped her stellar career with a season-high 24 points, including a game-high 11 field goals, as top seed Bound Brook took the title in the Skyland Conference Tournament Gold Division Pod with a 60-49 win over 2nd-seed Watchung Hills.

The Crusaders finish the season 12-1; the Warriors fell to 7-8.

Click below to hear postgame reaction from Bound Brook head coach Jen Derevjanik and senior guard Arianna McCleod:

Bound Brook Head Coach Jen Derevjanik
Bound Brook senior guard Arianna McCleod.
by Mike Pavlichko

Bound Brook boys chasing basketball immortality when Crusaders face ‘Lata for title, perfection Saturday afternoon

In a normal year, unless you’re one of those teams knocked out of the county tournament early and don’t make the states, everyone’s last game is a loss – unless you’re win the whole shebang, the Tournament of Champions.

That’s not the case in 2021, just like everything else affected by COVID.

With no state tournament, the county-level pods – like the seven- and eight-team groupings in the Skyland Conference – give dozens of teams around the state to go out on a double high note: with a trophy, and a win.

For 13-0 Bound Brook, add to that the opportunity to have a perfect season.

The top-seeded Crusaders host third-seed Immaculata (6-7) Saturday afternoon for the championship of the Skyland Conference Tournament Gold Division pod, the middle of the three league groupings. The game can be heard live and free of charge on Central Jersey Sports Radio – powered by Bellamy and Son Paving – by clicking here. Air-time is 12:45 and the game begins at 1:00.

You can also watch the game on the Bound Brook Athletics YouTube channel by clicking here.

LISTEN – POSTGAME REACTION: Bound Brook outlasts Bernards – again – to advance to Skyland Gold title game, stay unbeaten

Interestingly, should Bound Brook win the game, they would finish the year 14-0 – undefeated, and county pod champions – but it would be the fourth lowest win total in 16 years under Anthony Melesurgo as head coach, yet one of their most successful.

The Crusaders enter the game off an opening round win over 8th-seed Bridgewater-Raritan 66-54, and a semifinal win Thursday night heard on Central Jersey Sports Radio, 47-42 over Bernards, their 22nd straight over the Mountaineers dating back more than eleven years.

The Spartans, meanwhile, beat 6th-seed Voorhees in their opening round game, 63-54. But they had a bye in the second round because both their potential opponents were out with COVID-related issues; the Pingry program is shut down, and North Hunterdon is in contact tracing after playing Ridge, which was also shut down.

Immaculata picked up an extra game with Franklin Thursday, which they lost at Franklin, 64-40.

Click below to hear Bound Brook head coach Anthony Melesurgo talk about the Bound Brook season, and their title game Saturday against the Spartans:

by Mike Pavlichko

Bound Brook outlasts Bernards – again – to advance to Skyland Gold title game, stay unbeaten

Just one more win. That’s all the Bound Brook boys’ basketball team needs to complete a 14-0 season, and win the Skyland Conference’s Gold Division Championship.

All that was made possible by beating Bernards for a third time this season – and 22nd straight time overall. The Crusaders (13-0) beat Bernards (9-3) at home Thursday night, 47-42 as heard on Central Jersey Sports Radio, powered by Bellamy & Son Paving.

Bound Brook hit nine treys in the game, including three each from junior forward Donovan Nwenyi – who scored 11 points – and junior guard Quadir Harrell, who led all scorers with 16.

LISTEN: Postgame reaction: Bound Brook nets clean sweep of Bernards to remain undefeated, earn berth in Skyland Tournament Gold title game

Bound Brook led by eight at the half, and as many as 13 in the third quarter, but Bernards – fueled by four triples from senior guard Jacob Insler – pulled to within a single possession in the fourth quarter, a little past the midway point.

But in the end, it wasn’t enough to hand Bound Brook its first loss of the season.

Click below to listen to the full broadcast:

by Mike Pavlichko

Watchung Hills girls won’t shy from the challenge of Bound Brook in tonight’s Skyland Tournament Gold Division title game

Here’s a math problem for you, but don’t ponder it too long.

Add one new head coach, and take away eight seniors. What do you get?

Apparently a 7-7 team that’s better than its record and is playing for a title.

Really, don’t ponder it too long.

Instead, ponder what the Warriors have done, and what they’ll face tonight at 5:30 when they square off against Bound Brook in the Skyland Conference Gold Division’s title game. Central Jersey Sports Radio will have live updates during the Rutgers Prep-Gill Blue Division title game, and postgame reaction from Bound Brook later in the evening.

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Watching Hills has had a successful year, all things considered, thanks to the play of their three top scorers – junior Bella Murray (16.6 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and sophomores Morgan Groff (10.5 ppg) and Julia Puglisi (10.4 ppg) – and a cast of supporting characters.

It’s a young group going up against a Bound Brook squad that has won between 23 and 26 games each of the last five years, and winning the Central Jersey Group 1 title in each of those five seasons.

Click below to hear Watchung Hills first-year head coach Tim Corrigan talk about his team, and tonight’s title game against the Crusaders: