Wayne………..Wayne Valley took a 20 point lead into the half and held on for a 62-54 win over Eastside H.S. in the North 1 Group 3 State basketball tournament. Valley was led as usual by their dynamic duo of Senior point guard Jason Rosenberg and Senior forward Nick Siljee(both pictured). Rosenberg finished with 15 points and 10 assists, while Siljee finished with 19 points and 6 rebounds. Trailing at the half by 20, Eastside made a furious comeback behind the offense of Senior forward Terrell Spaulding ( 19 pts, 8 rebs.), Senior guard Randy Blue ( 11pts,3asts) and the outstanding, harrassing defense of Senior guard Khalil Anderson. Anderson, who had the tough task of guarding Rosenberg dished out 6 assists and accounted for 5 steals, holding Rosenberg to 5 points in the 2nd half. Eastside outscored Wayne Valley 19- 7 in the 3rd quarter to cut the lead to 41-33 entering the 4th. The Ghosts cut the lead to 4  on two free throws by Blue 58-54 with 36.5 seconds in the game, but 2 layups by Sophomore Scott Arkins ( 9pts) finished off Eastside’s comeback attempt.

Notes : Hoop Journal would like to acknowledge the end of the Highschool careers of Eastside seniors Khalil Anderson, Marquis Matthews, Randy Blue, Isaiah Brinson, Travon Johnson, Janif Green, Chris Albuquerque, Allen Dantzler and Terrell Spaulding. Spaulding, Dantzler,Johnson and Albuquerque were key members of last years Group 4 North sectional champs. Although the season didn’t go quite as well as they would have liked the effort that these young men gave was appreciated by this website! GOOD LUCK TO ALL IN THEIR FUTURE ENDEAVORS!

Wayne………………Kennedy Highschool came to play! They got a great scoring game from Senior Shondell Stewart. They played tenacious defense from end line to end line and they showed no fear. But they weren’t Buster Douglas and Paterson Catholic was not Mike Tyson. Because in the end the superior talent of the Cougars won out as they captured the Passaic County Tournament championship for the third consecutive year with a 80-61 triumph over a game,but overmatched Kennedy team. Paterson Catholic was led by Junior Myles Mack, who scored 14 of his 20 points in the 2nd half when the Cougars lost Senior Fuquan Edwin most of the last two quarters with a foot injury. Mack(#2) added 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals in the contest. Edwin scored all 14 of his points in the 1st half, before being injured early in the 2nd half. Five people scored in double figures for PC, with the most impressive being the all around play of 6’7  Kyle Anderson(right with Mack). The sophomore seemed to be involved in every play as his 18 point, 12 rebound, 8 assist performance proved. Junior Derrick Randall added 12 points,6 rebounds and 5 blocked shots and intimidated a number of looks by the Knights. Senior Jayon James(left with Mack) had the task of trying to control the lethal Stewart, but more importantly controlled the game offensively, showing the unselfishness that is the key to what makes PC what they are. James scored 11 points and dished out 8 assists. The praise of Paterson Catholic in no means can minimize the play of Kennedy H.S. Shondell Stewart had moments of brilliance scoring 30 points and grabbing 8 rebounds. He never gave in , challenging the size of PC and getting 10 points from the foul line. Kennedy made a run early in the 3rd quarter, cutting a 14 point lead down to 8, 50-42. Two things happened to stall the run. Junior Dawon Lighty( 13 pts,2 stls), who was doing a good job getting to the basket and hitting open shots picked up his 4th foul and Mack picked up his game. His three point shot and feed to Anderson off a steal calmed down the Knights run. Junior Zahir Young played a solid game for Kennedy with 6 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. It must be noted that Kennedy is still without the services of Senior Daquere Hayes (fainting spell) and it’s still not known whether he will be back. The Knights will now prepare for the States, where they will meet Ridgewood H.S. The Knights should come in with alot of confidence, knowing they competed hard with Paterson Catholic. The Cougars play Thursday against the winner of Montclair Immaculate vs. Morristown Beard winner. There sights are even higher, hoping to become the areas  first T.O.C. champion.The County championship was heard on 1500am!

                 Paterson Catholic and Kennedy H.S.  will face each other for the Passaic County Tournament Championship. PC comes in with an undefeated record, a national ranking and the chance to win the tournament for the third consecutive year. Kennedy will face PC for the second consecutive year in the championship game. Paterson Catholic got here by defeating DePaul H.S. 79-38 while Kennedy beat Wayne Valley H.S. 72-64 in overtime.

The Deal On Each Team:

PATERSON CATHOLIC:

Strength………… This is a talented deep team that has a chance to do something historic this season. The Cougars have done a good job of playing one game at a time and not looking too far ahead. They are led by seniors Fuquan Edwin and Jayon James. Edwin(right), the 6’5 Seton Hall recruit can score as quickly as anyone in the state as he can go on a personal 10-0 run against teams. an underrated defender, Edwin has evolved from a player who played inside as a freshman to a versatile swingman who can score inside and outside as a senior. James,(middle) the 6’5  Fordham recruit is the key to what PC does as his unselfishness and willingness to distribute the rock has been the main reason that the Cougars are undefeated. Tough to handle when able to get in the lane. 5’9 Junior Myles Mack(bottom) is a mistake free guard who can knock it down from deep or get to the basket with his quickness. Has improved defensively and will pick your pocket if you sleep! His ability to stay calm in crucial moments is why he is one of the best clutch players in the State.6’7  Sophomore Kyle Anderson is ranked in the top 25 nationally and has had a great year showing a consistent game. He has improved his perimeter game and stuffs the stat sheet in every category. One of the smartest players in the area.6’9 Junior Derrick Randall is the glue for PC defensively. Has the ability to make up for mistakes of teammates. A great shot blocker who is getting better at finishing around the basket, Randall is a freakish athlete, who can run and jump with anyone. 6’4 Senior Jermaine Peart,6’6 senior Trevor Clemmings and 5’10 junior Jahmir White round out the core of Paterson Catholic’s rotation. They are so deep that highly ranked freshman Reggie Cameron, who gets sporadic minutes could start for most teams in the area.

Weakness………..Not many as far as a highschool team goes. Sometimes can try to do too much, instead of making the easy play. Loses their intensity defensively at times, though leading  by so many points can do that. Have showed no signs of selfishness and if they can keep that out of the lockeroom will not only when County tournament, but have legitimate shot of winning Tournament of Championship.

KENNEDY H.S. :

Strength…………..6’2  Senior Shondell Stewart is a scorer and this is not just saying it. He is a calculator and can score 20 in a quarter! Stewart(#22) has a deadly 3 point shot and can get to the rim against anybody. He will need help from 6’2 Junior Dawon Lighty(#5), who also has the ability to put up big numbers. 5’10 Senior point guard Zahir Young is one of the best defensive players in the area and he will have to put his stamp on the game in that capacity. A good penetrator who will need to get in the paint to open up looks for Stewart and Lighty. 6’4 Senior Jaemille Barnes has been the biggest surprise of the season. A very good athlete with a strong will to rebound and defend. 6’1 Sophomore Sammy Singletary is an underrated  offensive player who can knock down the open shot. Kennedy is a very good defensive team!

Weakness…………… The loss of 5’11 Senior point guard Daquere Hayes has been the biggest factor of the season for the Knights. He was the glue to their team and has been missed tremendously. Kennedy has a habit of going into scoring droughts and can’t afford to have one against the Cougars. Will need someone besides Stewart to go off. It will take alot for the Knights to pull this off. But thats why they play the games!