The game figured to be a contest between Kennedy’s guards and Passaic’s big men. In the end   Passaic’s bigs won out. Passaic dominated the glass against the smaller Knights, out rebounding them 37-19 to pull out a 61-57 win  and capture the 2nd annual Jingle Bells Jubilee Holiday tournament sponsored by the Playaz Basketball Club. The Indians had five players in double figures led by 6’5 Najee Salaam’s 13 points and 12 rebounds. Salaam, who didn’t start the game due to disciplinary reasons did all his damage in the last three quarters. He was particularly tenacious on the offensive boards. His twin tower partner 6’5 Tyshawn Pickett also got on the boards hard, grabbing 13 rebounds to go with 11 points. Kennedy led most of the game behind the offense of 5’9 guard Daquere Hayes. He became the primary option in the 1st half after Passaic put their main effort on neutralizing Shondel Stewart. They used 6’3 forward Andre Dixon to follow Stewart where ever he was on the floor. The plan worked most of the game as Stewart was held to 7 1st half points.  Dixon did a great job contributing 12 points and 3 blocks. Kennedy still maintained a slight lead early in the 2nd half until Reggie Pennie’s(12 pts., 3 rebs., 3 blks.) three gave Passaic it’s first lead of the game at 48-46. From then on it became a seesaw battle. With Passaic  holding a 4 point lead late Stewart, who finished with 18 points and 8 rebounds hit a free throw to cut the lead to three 58-55. A loose ball on the end bounds gave Zahir Young( 5 stls.) a layup to cut the lead to 58-57. Pickett then hit two clutch free throws to put Passaic ahead 60-57 with 22.7 seconds left. After Stewart lost  the ball on a drive to the basket, Salamm iced it with a free throw. Hayes finished with 20 for Kennedy, while the Indians Shakir Rhodes was the fifth player to get in double figures with 10 points and 5 assists.

                                     Consolation:      Teaneck – 60               Bloomfield Tech – 54

      In the consolation contest, Teaneck seemed to still feel the effects of their overtime game loss to Kennedy as it took them three quarters to get back on track. Trailing most of the game, Teaneck finally tied the contest at the end of the 3rd at 45-45. It then held Bloomfield Tech to 9 4th quarter points enroute to a 60 – 54 win. Kyle Steinbergin led the Highwaymen with 14 points, while Jonathan Blue  had 12 points and 6 rebounds. Junior Brandon Davis sparked off the bench with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Senior Travon King added 12 rebounds and guard Owen Barnes dished out 7 assists for Teaneck. Kevin Philemon had 21 points and Rashid Sabur added 18 points for Bloomfield Tech.

                            Notes:  Passaic’s Najee Salaam earned M.V.P. of the tournament and Kennedy’s Shondel Stewart earned Most Outstanding Player. Passaic’s Tyshawn Pickett won the Sportsman trophy.

   All tournament Players:

   J.P. Koury – Christian Brothers  Academy

  Kevin Philemon and Rashid Sabur – Bloomfield Tech

  Kyle Steinbergin  and Owen Barnes –  Teaneck

 Vaughn Gray -Don Bosco Prep

 Shondel Stewart and Daquere Hayes –  Kennedy

 Najee Salaam ,  Tyshawn Pickett  and Andre Dixon –  Passaic

            Paramus Catholic H.S. will play in the finals of the inaugural Mighty Ghosts Holiday tournament after beating the host school, Eastside H.S. 61-47.  6’7  center Justin Harris dominated the game with 20 points and 11 rebounds as the Ghosts had no one that could match him inside. Andre Blackledge had 10 points and Manny Hernandez had 10 points and 3 steals. Jordan Wade also played a solid game. He finished with 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 3steals and a blocked shot to go  with 4 points. Eastside was led by Terrell Spaulding with 12 points and Travon Johnson who added 10 points and 6 rebounds. Paramus Catholic  will play Montclair H.S. in the final Tuesday, while Eastside will play Cranford H.S. in the consolation game.

         St. Joseph Regional H.S. and Passaic County Tech advanced to the Indian Hills Christmas Tournament championship with tough wins:

                                                       St. Joseph H.S. – 62                     Bergen Catholic H.S. -59

             Senior guard Kai Dominguez scored 22 points and St. Joe’s played tenacious defense late to beat Bergen Catholic 62-59 and overcome the play of junior Mark Richards. Richards finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds, but Joe’s pressure on the BC  guards proved to be the difference late. Richards tied the game at 55 on a layup, but Dominguez layup and freethrows gave Joe’s the lead for good. Bergen had one last chance but Senior guard Mike Marchman picked the pocket of guard Sean McGuire to seal it. Tony Efese scored 8 points and grabbed 8 rebounds  and Marchman added 8 for Joe’s. Junior forward Eric Flanagan finished with 19 for Bergen , including 5 three’s.

                                                      Passaic Co. Tech – 71                      Hackensack H.S. – 67

                   Asaad Hinton scored 19 points to lead a balanced attack as Tech squeezed by Hackensack 71-67. Junior Xavier Nieves had 15 points and senior Terrell McDuffie added 13 for the Bulldogs. Hackensack were led by Mark Ellison and Terik Bridgeman with 17 points apiece and Bright Mensah with 15. Tech held high scoring guard Alex George- Sabater to 5 points in the contest. Tech will play St. Joe’s in the chip Wednesday and Hackensack will meet Bergen Catholic in the consolation game.