Practice Shots
The NJSIAA girls’ and boys’ basketball state tournament begins this week, and many teams prepared for this by competing in conference tournaments.
Just like the state tournaments, the conference and county tourneys are one-and-done, so the same pressure exists for teams.
It’s the perfect way to prepare for the state tournament. Here is a look at some of the conference tournament winners that hope to carry the momentum into the NJSIAA tournament:
Boys’ basketball
Overbrook
The Rams won the Tri-County Flight A tournament title, beating Kingsway, 52-49 in the final.
The Rams won the Tri-County Flight A tournament title, beating Kingsway, 52-49 in the final.
This is the second title this season for Overbrook (23-3), which won the Tri-County Conference Diamond Division. Junior Lamar Little led the way with 17 points, which is just about his season scoring average.
Overbrook is the No. 5 seed in the South Jersey Group 2 tournament. The one major obstacle is that defending state champion Camden is the top seed and in the same bracket. Still, the Rams will enter the tournament with a five-game winning streak after an impressive title win.
St. Augustine
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This hasn’t been a typically dominating season for the Hermits who improved to 16-12 after beating Wildwood Catholic, 52-47 in the Cape Atlantic League championship. Rory Friel, a 6-5 senior, scored 19 points, hitting his season average.
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This hasn’t been a typically dominating season for the Hermits who improved to 16-12 after beating Wildwood Catholic, 52-47 in the Cape Atlantic League championship. Rory Friel, a 6-5 senior, scored 19 points, hitting his season average.
The Hermits will now enter the South Jersey Non-Public A tournament on a six-game win streak. St. Augustine is the No. 9 seed and visits St. Thomas Aquanis in the first round. A win would earn a meeting at No. 1 seed Paul VI, which received a first-round bye.
Rancocas Valley
The Red Devils beat Central Jersey Group 3 contender Burlington Township, 66-63 to win the Burlington County Tournament. Mike Phinsee, a 5-9 senior, scored 24 points to lead the Red Devils victory.
The Red Devils beat Central Jersey Group 3 contender Burlington Township, 66-63 to win the Burlington County Tournament. Mike Phinsee, a 5-9 senior, scored 24 points to lead the Red Devils victory.
The next day Rancocas Valley beat Shawnee, 64-45 as senior guard Montre Wilson scored 10 points, giving him 1,003 for his career.
The Red Devils will take a five-game win streak entering the South Jersey Group 4 tournament.
Rancocas Valley is the No. 7 seed in the South Jersey Group 4 tournament and will host Cherokee in the first round.
This is a Group that appears up for grabs and the Red Devils can’t be discounted.
Girls’ Basketball
Middle Township
The Panthers defeated Holy Spirit, 42-33 in the Cape Atlantic League championship. Junior guard Reagen Powell had 15 points while junior forward Sarah Farrow collected 15 rebounds.
The Panthers defeated Holy Spirit, 42-33 in the Cape Atlantic League championship. Junior guard Reagen Powell had 15 points while junior forward Sarah Farrow collected 15 rebounds.
That was Middle Township’s fifth win. The Panthers are the top seed in the South Jersey Group 2 tournament, and will be difficult to beat.
Williamstown
The Braves beat Delsea, 63-33 to win Tri-County Conference Flight B championship. High scoring senior guard Alivia Mauz had a game-high 33 points. She is now averaging 22.7 points per game. The Braves will enter the South Jersey Group 4 tournament with a three-game winning streak. Seeded No. 9, they will visit Gloucester County Institute of Technology in a first-round tournament game. The winner will likely face top seed Lenape, the defending state champion. Lenape meets No. 16 seed Bridgeton in a first-round game.
The Braves beat Delsea, 63-33 to win Tri-County Conference Flight B championship. High scoring senior guard Alivia Mauz had a game-high 33 points. She is now averaging 22.7 points per game. The Braves will enter the South Jersey Group 4 tournament with a three-game winning streak. Seeded No. 9, they will visit Gloucester County Institute of Technology in a first-round tournament game. The winner will likely face top seed Lenape, the defending state champion. Lenape meets No. 16 seed Bridgeton in a first-round game.
Lenape
Speaking of the Indians, they won the championship of the Burlington County tournament with a 52-49 win over Westampton Tech. Senior Alexa Henry had a game-high 14 points. Lenape didn’t spend much time celebrating since the Indians scored a 68-39 win over Camden Catholic, the next day. As the top seed and defending state champion, Lenape will be very difficult to beat in the South Jersey Group 4 tournament.
Speaking of the Indians, they won the championship of the Burlington County tournament with a 52-49 win over Westampton Tech. Senior Alexa Henry had a game-high 14 points. Lenape didn’t spend much time celebrating since the Indians scored a 68-39 win over Camden Catholic, the next day. As the top seed and defending state champion, Lenape will be very difficult to beat in the South Jersey Group 4 tournament.
Photo Courtesy Rancocas Valley Coach Jay Flanagan Twitter/X
Author: Marc Narducci
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