Reaching for the Title
It was rough time for South Jersey boys’ basketball teams in the NJSIAA state public school semifinals and state Non-Public finals.
Teams from the seven-county South Jersey area were shut out from winning a state title, but there were several great seasons among the teams that won sectional titles. Here is a look at the six Groups:
Non-Public A
Camden Catholic was the most impressive team from South Jersey in the state tournament. The Irish, who were the No. 4 seed in the South Jersey tournament, upset top-seeded Paul VI, 72-63 in double overtime in the sectional semifinal. This came after Paul VI went 3-0 this season against Camden Catholic.
The Irish then beat St. Peter’s Prep (which was ranked No. 1 in the state at the time), 70-65 in yet another double overtime game, to win the South Jersey championship. Guard Seamus Bieg led the way with 22 points.
The Irish were a major underdog in the state final against Bergen Catholic. Camden Catholic led by nine points entering the fourth quarter, but saw Bergen Catholic come back for a 52-49 victory. The Irish accredited themselves well during a 24-7 season.
Non-Public B
No team from the seven-county South Jersey area advanced to the sectional finals. St. Joseph Hammonton was eliminated in the semifinals by eventual sectional champion St. Rose, 80-39. Holy Cross Prep lost a more competitive semifinal, 47-37 to Rutgers Prep.
South Jersey Group 1
Woodbury was the South Jersey champion, although the fifth-seeded Thundering Herd barely got out of the first round with a 57-56 win over Glassboro. Then Woodbury took over, winning three straight road games, 62-55 against No. 4 Audubon; 60-50 against top seeded and defending champion Pitman and then 49-45 at No. 3 Haddon Township in the championship. Woodbury then lost to Thrive Charter, 77-24 in the state semifinal. Still, the run to the sectional title was impressive. In the four South Jersey wins, sophomore guard Devin Williams averaged 23.2 points. Woodbury finished 17-15, but got hot at the most opportune time.
South Jersey Group 2
Camden won the sectional title convincingly, but in the state semifinal, Manasquan got revenge. A year ago, the two also met in the state semifinal. Manasquan scored an apparent game-winner that moments later the officials ruled came after the final buzzer. (Replays apparently showed it was good, but the decision wasn’t reversed, and Camden went on to win the state title).This year Manasquan beat Camden 44-43 in the state semifinal. Camden finished 22-9 and were still among the top three teams in South Jersey.
South Jersey Group 3
Ocean City was the top seed in the South Jersey tournament and the Red Raiders did a great job holding serve. The Red Raiders won their first sectional title since 1999 by defeating No. 2 seed Timber Creek, 66-53 in the final as junior forward Luke Tjoumakaris scored season-high 24 points.
The Red Raiders then lost a heart-breaking 47-45 decision to Colts Neck in the state Group 3 semifinal. Tjoumakaris had another big game with 21 points. It was a milestone year for Ocean City (22-7). Earlier in the year coach John Bruno won his 500th game.
South Jersey Group 4
Second seeded Lenape won one of the best sectional finals, 48-47 at top seeded Cherry Hill East, a team it split with in the regular season. Senior Mehki Carter led the way with 15 points. Lenape (20-10) had a rough time in the state semifinal, losing to Montgomery. 62-32.
Photo Courtesy Camden Catholic Athletics X/Twitter
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Author: Marc Narducci
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