Paramus Catholic Wins It’s 1st”Legitimate”Bergen County Jamboree”CHIP” 59-54!

Teaneck……………In 1976 Paramus Catholic won their first and only Jamboree championship against Englewood H.S. The only problem was they won taking a loss. Englewood actually won the game , but gave it back in order to be eligible for the State championship, so PC was given the chip. This time was different as Paramus Catholic (pictured)won their first Bergen County Jamboree “chip”on the court 59-54 at the Rothman Center in Teaneck! The game was as good as advertised with both teams putting a stamp on the game at certain moments. The 1st half was dictated by Paramus Catholic’ s pressure defense as they forced Bergen Catholic into turnovers and created a little more chaos on the floor than B.C. wanted. Paramus Catholic closed the half with a 30-22 lead, which seemed like it should have been more. Bergen Catholic put their stamp on the game in the 3rd as they completely dominated P.C. on the boards, at one point getting 7 putbacks on one offensive possession. They finally tied the game 37-37  with 51.8 seconds in the 3rd on a Eric Flanagan free throw. Bergen then took their first lead of the game 38-37  on a Mark Richards free throw to end the 3rd. The 4th quarter needed someone from one of the teams to step up, and Junior Manny Hernandez (pictured left)decided to be that guy. Hernandez scored 12 of his 17 points in the quarter, including 3 free throws after getting fouled on a three point shot. The free throws gave Paramus Catholic the lead for good 47-46.Hernandez and Junior Justin Harris then made free throws late to seal it. Paramus Catholic win was a complete team effort as Senior Andre Blackwood finished with 13 points (11 in the 1st half) and 4 steals, Harris had 10 points and 11 rebounds, Senior Brandon Perez scored 8 points, including two big threes in the contest and Senior Jordan Wade had 6 points, 3 steals and was an instrumental part down the stretch defensively. He came up with a huge steal late. Bergen Catholic had nothing to hold their heads down for as they proved what kind of gritty team they are. They outrebounded Paramus Catholic 38-29 as they were led by Junior Mark Richards with 15 points and 9 rebounds and Eric Flanagan with 14 points and 5 rebounds. Senior Doug Rigg (7 pts, 9rebs) and Junior Maurice Grant (5 pts, 8 rebs), Sophomore Charles Wingate( 6pts, 3 stls) and Senior Sean McGuire (7 asts.) all distinguished themselves at times. In the end Paramus Catholic proved they did have what it takes to get it done! And this time on the court.