Boys basketball tournament recap

The holiday tournaments are complete and now high school boys’ basketball teams will begin the heart of their conference schedules. Here’s a look back at some of the teams that enjoyed success over the holidays.

Atlantic Tech – This season Tech has gotten off to a 3-1 start, with the only loss to powerful St. Augustine by 18 points. Atlantic Tech won the Bill Osborn division title in the Boardwalk Classic in Wildwood. After a first round 48-41 win over Barnegat, Atlantic Tech beat Boys Latin of Philadelphia, 56-40 in the title game. Junior guard Jayden Lopez averaged 17.5 points in the two games.

Rancocas Valley – The Red Devils participated in the Butch McLean Memorial Showcase at Haddon Heights. Even though there wasn’t a champion, Rancocas Valley won both its games, 50-43 over Gloucester Catholic and 54-41 over Haddon Heights, improving to 3-2. Donovon Ross, a 6-4 junior, averaged 14.5 points in the two wins.

Moorestown – The Quakers won the Eastern Tournament by beating Cedar Creek, 63-43, and then downing the host Vikings, 60-59 in the championship to improve to 4-1.

Senior Nick DiMarino, who had just three points against Cedar Creek, exploded for 25 in the title win over Eastern. Moorestown and Rancocas Valley should battle this season for what figures to be a competitive Burlington County Liberty Division title.

Egg Harbor Township – The Eagles won two games in the Haddonfield Round Robin Tournament, beating Woodrow Wilson, 64-60 and then host Haddonfield, 59-42. Junior guard Jay-Nelly Reyes had 15 points and six assists against Haddonfield. Against Wilson, senior Carlos Lopez had 24 points, while 6-5 senior Anthony Colon had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. EHT improved to 6-0 and is showing why it is considered among the top teams in South Jersey.

Burlington City – The Blue Devils won the John Molinelli Tournament in Lawrence, defeating Hopewell Valley 53-52 and Lawrence, 65-46. Senior guard DaJuan Hunter led the way with 21 points in the championship game. He averaged 18.5 points in the two wins for coach Bryan Warrick’s team.

Lenape – One of South Jersey’s top teams improved to 5-0 by winning the Score at the Shore Tournament at Southern Regional. Lenape defeated Howell, 57-38 and Holy Spirit, 67-45 in the championship game. Derek Simpson, a 6-1 senior, scored 19 points in the win over Howell before adding 28 in the title win over Holy Spirit.

Cherry Hill East – The Cougars won all three games in their Virginia B. Whittaker Classic, a Round Robin event with four teams. East beat Philadelphia’s Mastery Charter, 64-53, Willingboro, 81-37 and rival Cherry Hill West, 53-47 in overtime. Senior guard Drew Greene had a game-high 17 points in the win over West, improving East’s record to 6-1. The only loss was a 51-46 defeat to Lenape.

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Author: Marc Narducci