Kennedy H.S. Paterson, N.J…. The 5th annual Tim Thomas/James Hargrove Passaic County Freshman Tournament took place this Saturday and had Wayne Valley win the Freshman “Chip” beating Passaic 35-34!

Kennedy H.S. Paterson,N.J….The Passaic County Tournament had it’s Semifinal action and saw Kennedy and Clifton advance to the County Final!

Today 3pm and 5pm the Passaic County Boys Tournament Semifinals takes place and Sunday 1pm and 3pm the Bergen County Semifinals takes place!

Passaic County Tournament Semifinals at Kennedy H.S.

3pm: (#2) Paterson Kennedy vs (#3) Wayne Hills

The Skinny: An intriguing contest as Kennedy’s athleticsm vs the toughness of Wayne Hills! Two of the best players in the County are in this contest in Kennedy’s wing Avant’e Gilbert(right) and Wayne Hills point guard(right) Jake Belli! Kennedy has the deeper roster led by Senior’s Germir Robinson, Josh White, Jahmir Tyrell and Djourn Cook, Junior’s Deishon Harrison and Jalen Hargrove, Sophomore Jae’Waun Abrams and Freshman Jay’quan Briggs! Wayne Hills starting five has been good all year and although they lack the same depth they are a team that can go at a fast or slow pace an entire game! Senior Pulast Thacker, Nebi Ademi, Jason Sanfillipo and Junior Brett Wood round out the starting five with Thacker a terror on the boards!

5pm: (#4)Clifton vs (#1) Wayne Valley

The Skinny: Clifton has been solid the entire year as they have a chance to reach the Passaic County Finals for the first time since 1974! They are led by Senior guard Armani Brinson(far right) who makes the engine go! Brinson has the ball in his hands the majority of the time, but they have other weapons too! Junior Ian Felix is a consistent scorer with a high motor, Senior Lazor Jovanovich can score inside and out and is a very good athlete, Junior Eddie Perez is their best rebounder and defender and Senior Wendell Abellard can make shots from deep at a high rate! Wayne Valley is led by Senior Point Guard Mark Howell (right)who runs the Valley attack! He will be depended on to do more if Senior guard Anthony D’Arienzo can’t go due to a dislocated shoulder! Senior Taylor Jackson will have to give more scoring as will Senior big Patrick Cronin who has to dominate the interior with post moves and putbacks! Junior John Pettorini can make shots on the perimeter!

BERGEN COUNTY JAMBOREE:

Sunday February 17th  At Fairleigh Dickinson University

1pm:(#2) Bergen Catholic vs (#3) Ramapo

The Skinny: Bergen Catholic is led by Xavier commit Zach Freemantle(far right) who has picked up his game in recent weeks! St. Peters University commit Doug Edert is a perennial three point threat and Junior Matt Zona can get it done from the inside and the outside! Senior Jayson Earle is one of the best pure athlete’s in the area and his improved shooting makes him a triple threat and Junior Raejon Figures is a strong point guard who is a tremendous creator! Freshman guard Will Richardson’s speed and quickness has been a great addition to this talented team and Senior guard Justin Regis has been a good contributor off the bench! Ramapo is led by it’s dynamic duo of Senior K.C. Hunt(right) and 6’11 Lafayette commit Neal Quinn! Hunt is the perimeter threat, while Quinn man’s the post! Each can go off for 30, but the other players, primarily Senior John Whooley and Junior Max Pernetti will be the key to this contest! Senior Kyle Hroncich will have to be solid at the point position, while Sophomore Sean Clapp and Junior Chris Valvano will be looked on for strength off the bench!

3pm: (#1) Don Bosco Prep vs (#4) St. Joseph

The Skinny: This will be a good one as these teams have split in two contests with each one a two point contest! Prep will be led by Army commit Victor Konopka and Denver U commit Owen McGlashan as Konopka(right) can post and face up with three point range and McGlashan can score inside and out and is a tremendous passer! Senior Kyle Maurer will be a key perimeter threat! Senior Devin Sharma and Senior Patrick O’Gorman will man the backcourt and try to make up for the lost of Junior guard Myles Ruth whohas been great during the year but hand injury may keep him out for a few weeks or more! Junior Isaiah Williams will be the key player off the bench for Prep! St. Joe’s is led by it’s guard play in Junior Naz Williams(far right), Junior Dyree Rogers and Sophomore Daniel Lans! Senior Chris Manon is one of the best multi threat players in the area as he can put it on the floor and get to the cup! Penn State football commit Smith Vilbert is a terror in the paint on the defensive end and can finish above the rim! Sophomore Albert Serrano has been huge shooting the ball off the bench! 6’6 Junior Ansley Almanor is also a threat from the perimeter