South Non-Public Girls Basketball Tournaments Offer Plenty of Competition

The NJSIAA Non-Public tournament usually features some of the top teams in the state. Because New Jersey has just two sections for the Non-Public schools – North and South – there are many teams from Central Jersey and even beyond that compete in the South field.
The South Non-Public A field features some of the best teams in the state. The South Non-Public B field is also highly competitive.
There are traditionally fewer teams that compete in the Non-Public playoffs. In the public schools, there are 16-team fields. There aren’t as many Non-Public schools. In South A, there are 12 teams competing, which means many of the top seeds will have a first-round bye.
In South Non-Public B there are 14 teams. Here is a look at both Groups. The South A tournament begins on Feb. 26 and the South B starts on Feb. 27.
South Non-Public A
Defending champion: St. Rose Belmar beat Immaculate Heart Academy, 53-38 in the championship.
This year’s top seed: St. Rose Belmar.
Favorite: No. 2 St. John Vianney.
Championship: March 5 at Jackson Liberty.
Outlook: St. Rose began the week 23-1 with the lone loss to Rutgers Prep. Yet St. John Vianney, which owns a New Jersey-best seven Tournament of Champions titles, will be difficult to beat. Last year the Lancers lost to St. Rose, 47-43 in the sectional semifinals.
St. John Vianney is led by one of the top seniors in New Jersey, Sajada Bonner, who is a Quinnipiac recruit. She is averaging 14.2 points on a very balanced team. Brynn Farrell, a 5-11 junior, who averages 18.4 points, is the leading scorer for St. Rose.
Two other teams to watch are No. 3 Bishop Ahr and No. 7 Red Bank Catholic, a perennial power. As for teams from the seven-county South Jersey area, No. 5 Bishop Eustace is the highest seed.
South Non-Public B
Defending champion: Rutgers Prep beat Trenton Catholic Academy, 58-54 in the sectional final.
This year’s top seed: Trenton Catholic Academy.
Favorite: No. 6 Rutgers Prep. The Argonauts have played one of the toughest schedules in the state and appear primed to defend their title.
Championship: March 6 at Jackson Liberty.
Outlook: Don’t sleep on No. 2 Gloucester Catholic, which has the best shot of any team from the seven-county South Jersey area. The Rams are led by 6-1 senior Azana Baines, a Duke recruit who is averaging 17.2 points per game. Top seeded Trenton Catholic Academy will also be a major contender. With the way the brackets are, a Gloucester Catholic-Rutgers Prep semifinal could be a highly anticipated game.
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© SouthJersey.com 2018. All rights reserved. This article or parts thereof may not be reprinted or reproduced by any other party without the express written consent of SouthJersey.com. For more information, please call 856-797-9910.
For more Local Sports features, visit our South Jersey Sports page.
Author: Marc Narducci
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