Paterson Catholic Stays Undefeated In Freedom Fighter Hoop Challenge 91-85!

Player of the game Myles Mack of Paterson Catholic and NIA Prep's Jameer Hanner flank future Council At Large Benji Wimberley

             The Freedom Fighters Hoop Challenge concluded with Paterson Catholic, the #6 ranked team in the country by U.S.A. Today beating Newark’s N.I.A. Prep, one of the top Prep schools on the east coast 91 – 85. Paterson Catholic started out sluggish as NIA took a 13 point lead and finished the 1st quarter up 26 – 20. The 2nd quarter became the “Myles Mack Show”  as junior guard Mack, went on a personal 13 point run ( 3 treys,a 2 pointer and two fts) and helped give the Cougars a 44 – 40 halftime lead. Paterson Catholic came out the gates in the 3rd quarter ready to open the game up behind Seton Hall recruit Fuquan Edwin, Fordham recruit Jayon James and super sophomore Kyle Anderson. Paterson Catholic outscored NIA 25 – 14 in the 3rd and entered the 4th leading 69-54. The Cougars were lackluster in the 4th as they committed some unforced turnovers that led to NIA cutting the deficit to 84-82. The game was not decided until Jermaine Peart hit two free throws at the end. Mack put on a show with 28 points and 7 assists, while Edwin finished with 25 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals. Anderson (13 pts., 4rebs., 4asts., 2 blks ) and James (12 pts., 4asts., 2 stls) also contributed as the Cougars are now 11 – 0 for the season. NIA was led by 6’9 Jameer Hanner who finished with 25 points and 13 rebounds.  Devon Gibson and Kelvin Amayo each had 17, while Shaquille Thomas, a former Paterson Catholic player finished with 7 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocked shots for NIA.