Little Falls…………..The game was much anticipated and the build up for it had the place ready to go off! Then the game started and  Wayne Valley took a 5-2 lead. Seemed like it would be a barn burner. Then Passaic Valley went to work and before you knew it they had took a 25-9 lead at the end of the 1st quarter. By all accounts the game was over as they won 68-60 in their North 1 Group 3 quarterfinal State contest. After Wayne Valley’s short lived lead, Passaic Valley went to work led by the play of Senior guard Dom Coiro(pictured) who finished with 17 points and 8 assists and ran PV’s offense brilliantly. Everyone touched the rock and made the most of their opportunities. Mike Governali knocked down 5 treys for 15 points, Anthony DiSanti had 9 points and 14 tough rebounds, Nick DiCristina had 7 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists and Dave Clough came off the bench and added 6 rebounds. The surprise came from 6’2 Sophomore forward Olumide Olajide( pictured #22). He started and right away provided energy for the Hornets. Olajide scored 12 points and added 8 rebounds. Passaic Valley shot 13 of 20 from the floor in the 1st half, while Wayne Valley shot 6 for 27. Senior Nick Siljee was scoreless in the half and although he finished with 14 points and 6 rebounds he was missed in the stanza. Senior point guard Jason Rosenberg also did not have a great shooting day but he still was able to will himself to a 18 point, 10 assist effort. Sophomore Chris Homsi gave a glimpse of Wayne Valley’s future scoring 11 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. The Hornets dominated the glass, out rebounding WV 37 to 24. Wayne Valley made a run late in the game getting 3 point buckets from Siljee, and Juniors John Larranaga and Mike Verrilli, cutting the lead to 5 with 43 seconds, but Coiro made 4 free throws late to ice it.

Note : Hoop Journal would like to acknowledge the achievements of Wayne Valley seniors Keith Greve, Mark Tucker and particularly Jason Rosenberg and Nick Siljee(pictured). Siljee finished with over 1,00 points in his career and will leave as one of the best shooters the school has ever had to go with his brother Paul. Rosenberg will truly be missed. His gritty play and will to win will never be forgotten (which is what he wanted!). Finished with over 1,000 career assists! HOOP JOURNAL WISHES NOTHING BUT THE BEST IN THEIR FUTURE!

Newark………. Junior guard Brandon James had a night to remember in Passaic County Tech’s 81-51 blowout of Barringer H.S. in the North 1 Group 4 State playoff game. James made 6 three pointers on his way to a career high 37 points. PCT led throughout holding a 41-30 halftime lead. The Bulldogs then went nuts in the 3rd quarter scoring 29 points and taking a 70-42 lead going into the 4th. Junior Xavier Nieves added 12 points and 8 rebounds for Tech. Joe Nickerson led Barringer with 16 points. PCT now meets Kennedy H.S. Thursday at J.F.K.

Paterson……….. Ridgewood H.S. came in game and ready to play as big underdogs to Kennedy H.S. However after a solid 1st half, Kennedy  finally figured things out in their 57-53 North 1 Group 4 State tournament game. It took Senior Shondel Stewart the 2nd half to get it going offensively as he scored 17 of his 23 points in the stanza. While Stewart was trying to get straight, Senior point guard Zahir Young(pictured) was on from the get. Young played a tremendous floor game. He was all over the court scoring 14 points and dishing out 7 assists. But more importantly he was a terror on the defensive end, accounting for 7 steals and harrassing Ridgewood guards all over the floor. When the Knights were struggling offensively he made buckets until Stewart and company got into the game. Kennedy struggled with Senior James Albano who went for 26 points and 7 rebounds. He scored 18 of his points in the 1st half. Ridgewood led at the half 33-26, but Kennedy came out and tied the game at 38 on a Jaquan Williams (13pts,7 rebs) put back. Kennedy then took the lead on a couple Stewart baskets and maintained the lead the rest of the way.