For a quarter it looked like the game was gonna be as good as advertised. Teaneck and Passaic played a close first quarter as the Highwaymen held a 16-14 1st quarter lead. The wheels began to fall apart for Passaic after that as Teaneck took control from the 2nd quarter en route to a 66-41 blowout of Passaic H.S. Teaneck had 4 players in double figures led by Shomari Barber’s 20. Kyle Steinbergin finished with 13 and sophomore Brandon Davis added 10. Of course, the Highwaymen got another tremendous floor game from senior standout Javae King-Gilchrist who had 11 points, 9 assists, 5 steals and kept his team on their toes with his energy. Teaneck blew the game open in the third quarter behind Barber, who had 10 of his 20 in the period. The Highwaymen took a 56-31 lead into the 4th. The lone bright spot for Passaic, was senior Tyshawn Pickett who had 24 points and 10 rebounds. Unfortunately, it seemed as if he was playing by himself most of the game.

In a preview of Passaic County Tournament play, DePaul Catholic and Passaic County Tech gave a glimpse of whats in store. St. Joseph recruit Justin Crosgile showed why he is so highly touted. The senior from DePaul was a stat sheet stuffer in his teams 62-53 win over a scrappy Passaic County Tech. Crosgile gave his team whatever was needed throughout the game. If they needed buckets, he gave them buckets with 26 points. Need to get on the boards? He provided that with 12, including 6 offensive rebounds. Share the rock? Justin had 6 assists and could have had a few more with a little more alertness from his teammates. And when his team needed defense, he provided it, holding Tech standout Maynard Freeman to 10 points and adding 6 steals. In other words, Crosgile refused to let his team lose this game. Junior Matt Miller contributed 13 points and 7 rebounds and Joe Giacci added 9 rebounds as DePaul dominated the boards 38-22. DePaul led by 2 at the end of the third, but behind Crosgile outscored Tech 22-15 in the 4th. Tech got quality play from sophomores Brandon James (10pts, 4 asts, 3stls.) and Washon Franklin (9pts, 5rebs, 3stls.).

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.