Paterson………….. In a game that didn’t seem typical for these ancient rivals, Kennedy Highschool beat Eastside Highschool 52-49 in a game that was simulcast live on 1500am radio. The only resemblance to the way these teams usually get at each other is the closeness of the score but it never truly reached a high level of consistent play between the squads at the same time. If one seemed to get it together the other was giving the game away and it continued that way throughout the contest. Kennedy was led by it’s prolific scoring machine Shondel Stewart (pictured ) with 21 points and 7 rebounds and his put back off a missed free throw iced the game for the Knights, but he scored 17 of his points in the 1st half as Eastside did a much better job on him in the next stanza. Each team had numerous unforced turnovers and cold spells from the perimeter but to their credit each team played extremely hard and of course that definitely had an effect. Janif Green led Eastside in scoring with 16 points off the bench while Terrell Spaulding had 11 points and 6 rebounds and Allen Dantzler added 10 points to go with a game high 14 rebounds. Jamille Barnes had 10 points and 10 rebounds for Kennedy and Dawon Lighty added 9 points, but the key to Kennedy’s success was the defense of Senior guard Zahir Young who it can be argued is the best on the ball defender in Northern New Jersey. While Young had 7 points and 5 assists, his 7 steals was probably the most meaningful number in the game as he constantly harrassed the Eastside backcourt. With the score 50-47 in the 4th ,Travon Johnson(6pts., 9 rebs.) made a layup with 34 seconds left in the game to make it 50-49. After a foul, Kennedy missed two free throws, but Stewart’s offensive rebound and put back made it 52-49 with 19 seconds left. Eastside had a chance but Young made a steal with 9 seconds left. Lighty was fouled and missed both foul shots to give the Ghosts one last opportunity with 3 seconds left. After a double screen, Spaulding got an open look from behind the three point line a little deeper than usual and his shot bounced off the rim as the clock expired. The Knights again played without the services of senior guard Daquere Hayes (out after fainting spell) and his presence or non-presence has been noticeable. He is due back about February 10th.

             Paterson ……………..   Junior swingman Vaughn Gray     (pictured) scored 21 points and Sophomore center Mike Tobey scored 12 points to go with 8 rebounds and 7 blocked shots as Don Bosco Prep came away with a huge win against Kennedy Highschool 59-50. Junior Gary Nova  added 11 points and 5 assists and Prep held Senior scoring sensation Shondel Stewart to 12 points in a strong  team defensive effort.  Stewart also found himself in foul trouble throughout the contest. Prep took control of the game in the 1st half finishing with a 15 point lead 35-20. They took their biggest lead of 21 early in the 3rd quarter. Kennedy as they are known to do fought back behind the play of Senior  Zahir Young ( 8 pts., 8 asts., 4stls.), Sophomore Sammy Singletary ( 7 pts., 5 rebs, 3 stls) and the long range shooting of Carl Brown (12 pts.). Brown scored all his points from beyond the arc. Kennedy got as close as 53-50 with 3:15 left on a Young three pointer, but a Nova to Tobey layup and Gray put back gave Prep some breathing room. Don Bosco Prep got good contributions from sophomore Leonte Carrou ( 6 rebs., 4 stls) and sophomore Jemal Mosley ( 5rebs.) in crucial parts of the game.  Junior Selwyn Maxwell  added 6 points and 6 rebounds for Prep.

          The Passaic County Coaches voted their seedings for the Passaic County Tournament and to no surprise Paterson Catholic  H.S. was voted the  #1  seed by the committee. They will be gunning for their third straight County Championship. The 1st round games begin February 6 at the highest seeded teams gym then moves on the next week to Kennedy Highschool for the Quarterfinals and  Semifinals and Wayne Valley H.S. for  Finals the following weekends :

 The Seedings and Games:

#16   Pompton Lakes   at    #1   Paterson Catholic

#15    Hawthorne Christian  at   # 2   Kennedy H.S.

#14 Lakeland H.S.  at   #3   Passaic H.S.

#13  Clifton H.S.  at   #4  Passaic Valley

#12  Manchester  at   #5   DePaul Cath.

#11  Eastern Christian  at   #6  Wayne Valley

#10  Wayne Hills   at   #7   Passaic County Tech

#9  West Milford   at   #8 Eastside H.S.