The first annual Jingle Bells Jubilee Holiday Tournament provided mixed results for local area teams. Kennedy reached the semifinals and will meet Plainfield High School by dominating Monsignor Bonner H.S. from Philadelphia 71-52. Shodell Stewert led the Knights with 25 points and Asmar Edwards added 14 as the Knights blew the game open in the third quarter behind relentless fullcourt pressure defense. Meanwhile, Eastside and Passaic had different results. They will meet each other in the losers bracket. Eastside played a great game for three quarters in their 89-78 loss to Bishop Loughlin of Brooklyn, N.Y. Led by Karon Abraham (24pts. 5 stls.) and Dave Robertson (23pts. 6 rebs.) the Ghost held a 10 point lead at the half and a 3 point lead at the end of the third, but Loughlin slowly wore them down behind the play of the Rivals.com #1 ranked junior out of New York City Jayvaughn Pinkston. The 6’6″ 240 lb junior scored 16 of his 23pts in the second half as he dominated the fourth quarter. Pinkston also had 11 rebounds. He got help from Trevon Hamlet (26pts. 8rebs.) and junior swingman Brandon Frazier (24pts.) Allen Dantzler (9pts. 9rebs.) and Joe Moore (12pts. 6rebs.) each gave quality efforts for the Ghost. Passaic H.S.’s Tyshawn Pinkett got into foul trouble early and it hurt the Indians. Najee Salaam (9pts. 8rebs.) was the lone bright spot with Pinkett sitting a lot of the in the 51-38 loss to a talented Linden High School team. St. Joseph recruit David Bruce’s 22points and 12 rebounds proved too much for Passaic.

Plainfield H.S. beats St. Peters Prep 61-53

Isaiah Epps 21 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and Tyrone Johnson’s 16points, 5 rebounds, 4 assist and 3 blocks offset the play of Ronald Roberts 25 points, 12 rebounds and Keith Lumpkins 11 points 11 rebounds in probably the most entertaining game of the day.  Plainfield will meet Kennedy and Prep will meet Monsignor Bonner.

 The Kid fills the stat sheet! For the second time, Javae Gilchrist made his presence felt big time in Teanecks 70-66 win over Passaic County Tech. in the Indian Hills Christmas Tournament. After hitting the game winner against Eastside H.S., Gilchrist was mr. do it all against P.C.T. scoring 15 points , 6 rebounds, 5 assists and an impressive 9 steals. He led a balanced scoring attack as Kyle Steinbergin(18 pts.), Shomari Barber(13 pts., 5 rebs.) and Jonathan Blue (10pts.) all contributed. Steinbergin, in particular made his presence felt hitting big shots including what proved to be the game winner with 16 seconds left. P.C.T. got it from Jonathan Rodriguez who finished with 22 points and 5 assists and Maynard Freeman who added 16 points and 3 steals. The Highwayman will meet Bergen Catholic H.S. in the semifinals.     

                               Bergen Catholic Defeats Indian Hills 62-48

Eric Flanagan scored 21 points, including four 3 pointers to help break open a close game most of the way.After Indian Hills cut the lead, closing to within 4 points B.C. went on a 12-2 run to close it out. Doug Rigg and Mark Richards both added 12 points. Justin Van Groww, Indian hills top scorer and one of the better players in North New Jersey was held to 11 points as the host of the tournament was relegated to the losers bracket

                          St. Joe’s Romps Englewood H.S. 68-32

Joe Efese led St. Joe’s with17 points and 8 rebounds and Kai Dominguez added 11 as the Green Knights started the game with a 9-0 run and finished the first quarter with a 30-7 lead. Junior Zachary Anderson, Englewood’s top player was injured in the first half and did not return.  

Kennedy Highschool showcased it’s new starting five and if they play the way they did against Hackensack, the N.N.J.I.L. will have their hands full. The additions of Antoine Alexander from Eastside Highschool and Asmar Edwards from Passaic County Tech. has solidified a team that already had talent with the likes of Shondell Stewart, Daquere Hayes and Dawan Lighty. The Knights full court pressure and balanced scoring proved too much for a young Hackensack team to deal with. Stewart led a balanced attack with 22 points. Hayes finished with 17, while Lighty added 14. Edwards(9 pts., 5 rebs., 6 stls.) and Alexander(8 pts., 7 rebs., 5 assts.) also proved they will be big contributors throughout the year. Hackensack’s Romaine Wall played well for the Comets with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals. Hackensack also displayed hope for the future as they got solid play from sophomore’s Terik Bridgeman(10 pts., 6 rebs.) and Bright Mensah (14 pts., 7 rebs.,)