Prudential Center Newark, N.J……In the two games that Hoop Journal covered, Hudson Catholic and Gill St. Bernard’s both got big wins in the Newark Invitational

                              HUDSON CATHOLIC  58             LINCOLN(NEW YORK) 50

   Hudson Catholic stepped up against an elite Lincoln Of New York team and showed why they can play with anyone in the Tri-State area! While Hudson Catholic’s Juniors Reggie Cameron and Mike Young were the key guys and did what was expected, the Hawks got big games off the bench from Freshman Nassir Barrino and Junior Kyle McLeggan! Barrino(pictured) played a tough game and scored 12 points and played well enough to get Player of the Game honors! McLeggan contributed 8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals! Their play gave Cameron and Young the help they needed! Cameron was the game high scorer with 16 points to go with 7 rebounds and 3 steals, while Young finished with 13 points and 10 rebounds! Hudson Catholic led 27-23 at the half and stretched the lead to ten 40-30 to end the 3rd! The Railsplitters made a late run behind Star Sophomore Isaiah Whitehead as he converted on a couple real nice buckets to the basket! But a Barrino layup, a Cameron jump shot and a dunk from Young off a pass from Junior Kavon Stewart  sealed it for the Hawks! Whitehead led Lincoln with 15 points and 4 assists

                                       GILL ST. BERNARD’S  54           ST.PETERS PREP  34

            St. Peters Prep scored the first points of the game on a Trevis Wyche “triple” to make it 3-0 and then Gill St. Bernard’s went on a 16-2 run to go ahead 16-5 to end the 1st and by all accounts it was over right there! This was another game where Gill St. Bernard’s two main guys, Junior Jaren Sina and Senior Dominic Hoffman played well but the play of their role players proved to really be the difference! The Knights are known for having one of the best run offenses in the State and this site questioned whether they had enough besides Sina, Hoffman and Senior Alex Mittola! Well the play of Senior Larry Piretra, Junior Jon Scherer, Senior Michael Hyland and Senior Anthony Mea more than answered that question! They all had a hand in the game either on the offensive end or the defensive end! Piretra(8 rebs) and Scherer(8pts,5rebs) in particular were integral parts of the game! Sina who was the Player of the Game scored 18 points and added 4 dimes, while Hoffman scored 9 points with 13 rebounds! Prep shot itself in the foot from the free throw line as they shot 11 for 34 from the stripe! Senior Tyrone O’Garro led Prep with 10 points and 10 rebounds!

Hawthorne, N.J……..In the biggest win since a 2006 victory over Wayne Valley in the Passaic County Tournament, Hawthorne Christian handled their big night with a tough 53-46 win over Dwight-Englewood! While Hawthorne Christian is 11-1, there were still questions on the legitimacy of the squad! Dwight-Englewood is a legitimate challenge and Hawthorne Christian took their best shot and still hung on! Senior Paul Little(pictured) was the man for the Defenders! He scored 18 points and overcame cramps to his legs late in the contest! Sophomore Alex Thomas added 12 points and Senior Nick Aust chipped in 11! Hawthorne Christian took a 26-16 lead at the half, but the Bulldogs came out in the 3rd and outscored their opponent 19 to 11 to cut the lead to 37-35! The 4th wasn’t decided until Sophomore Chris Aust hit clutch free throws late in the game to ice it! Dwight-Englewood was led by Senior Wesley Dickinson who scored 16 points despite being under the weather and Junior Keion Osbourne with 11 points! Hawthorne Christian improved to 12-1, while Dwight-Englewood fell to 10-3!

Ridgewood, N.J……… Ridgewood solidified their bid in the Bergen County Jamboree in convincing style, beating unbeaten Old Tappan 64-50! Senior Evan Bartlik(pictured) was a man on a mission as his offensive energy ignited his Ridgewood teammates! His play and that of Senior Alex Cohen and Senior Stephan Senguin was more than Old Tappan could withstand! Bartlik scored 24 points and opened the way for Cohen, who scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds! Senguin played a strong point guard game with 11 points, 7 assists and 4 steals! Ridgewood, who improved to 9-5 also got good efforts from Senior Anthony Balboa(8pts,9rebs) and Senior Jon Edgehill(5stls)! Old Tappan which fell to 11-1 was led by Senior Dan Brogan who scored 19 points and 7 rebounds, Junior Troy McLaughlin with 11 points and Mason Vialonga with 10 points!