Paramus Catholic Junior Andre Blackwood showed why he is becoming less and less of a secret in the N.N.J.I.L. Blackwood put on a show against a tough Ridgewood Highschool team, scoring 29 points en route to a 76-65 win. Blackwood scored 17 of his points in the second half, as P.C. took a 33-30 lead at the half and pushed it to as much as 15 in the second half. Blackwood scored from everywhere in the critical 3rd qtr, and knocked down big free throws late. He got help from point guard Brandon Perez (10 pts. 6 assts, 6 stls.) who played perhaps his best game of the year. Justin Harris added 11 points and 9 rebounds. Ridgewood was led by Max Needle’s 17 points including three late treys to close it to eight late in the game.

Here are the Passaic County Tournament Seedings:

1. Paterson Catholic    2. Kennedy H.S.    3. Passaic H.S.    4. Eastside H.S.    5. West Milford H.S.    6. Depaul    7. Wayne Hills H.S.    8. Passaic Valley    9. Wayne Valley    10. P.C.T.   11. Manchester    12. Eastern Christian    13. Pompton Lakes    14. Clifton H.S.    15. Hawthorne Christian    16. Hawthorne H.S.   17. Lakeland H.S.

Hackensack:  In a hotly contested N.N.J.I.L. matchup, Don Bosco Prep outlasted Hackensack Highschool 54-49. The game was close from start to finish as  Prep had a 22-19 halftime and a 39-37 3rd quarter lead. The game was decided in a great 4th quarter that included 6 ties and 5 lead changes. The last tie at 47 with 1:01 left on a basket by Bosco super sophomore Vaughn Gray (12 pts.). On the next possesion Gray blocked and stole the ball resulting in 2 free throws to put Prep up 49-47 with 41 seconds left in the game. Bosco proceeded to make 5 out of 6 free throws to close the Comets out. Prep was led by Max Brewer’s 18 points, while Terik Bridgeman led Hackensack with 15 points and Alex George added 12.