Which teams punched tickets to Rutgers on Tuesday night? Check back as the highlights roll in!
Ramsey 74 Lyndhurst 70 (2OT) | Boys | Group 2 State Semifinal
We had an instant classic on our hands at Bloomfield H.S. in the Group 2 boys semifinals. Ramsey is headed to their first state final since *1950* after their 74-70 double-overtime win over Lyndhurst!
The Golden Bears had a 27-25 through the first two quarters, both of which were punctuated by buzzer-beating three-pointers by Lyndhurst’s Johnny Chaname, who hit the game-winner at the horn against Madison in the N2G2 final. Ramsey followed up with a 16-8 third quarter to hold a 41-35 lead into the fourth.
With the score 53-51 Ramsey and the final seconds of regulation ticking down, Chaname came through in the clutch once again with a layup to send it to overtime. Ramsey’s Owen Farley put the Rams up four points with 3:00 remaining, but Chaname drilled a three-pointer to pull it within one with 90 seconds left. After missed free throws and the score 62-60 Ramsey, Chaname hit yet another season-saving layup to send it to double overtime.
The second overtime started with an Owen Farley three-pointer which gave the Rams the lead they would not give up. Junior guard Charlie Taylor’s two free throws with seconds remaining clinched the thrilling win.
The Rams’ leading scorers were senior Julien Quinerly with 24 and Taylor with 23. Chaname led all scorers in the game with 38, 29 of which came in the second half + overtimes.
The Rams will face No. 16 Rumson-Fair Haven in the Group 2 final at Rutgers University Saturday at 6pm.
JSZ’s Ryan Sudol has the highlights and reaction from Bloomfield soon!
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Lyndhurst is brought to you by Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville.
Rumson-Fair Haven 71 Middle Twp. 56 | Boys | Group 2 State Semifinal
JSZ’s Tyler Mroz has the highlights coming soon!
Plainfield 82 East Orange 69 | Boys | Group 4 State Semifinal
Trailing 57-55 at the end of three quarters, Micah Gordon took the game over with 15 of his 27 points in the final eight minutes to lead Plainfield back to Rutgers to defend its Group 4 state championship. Gordon finished with 27 points, seven assists and five rebounds with Rashawn Williams adding a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. East Orange was led by James Roberts who had 30 points, 11 rebounds and six assists. Plainfield will takes on Montgomery looking to repeat as state champs this Saturday at Jersey Mike’s Arena.
JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights and post-game reaction from the Dunn Center in Elizabeth:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of East Orange is brought to you by Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
Montgomery 67 Cherry Hill East 37 | Boys | Group 4 State Semifinal
Montgomery built a 16-point halftime lead and never looked back, locking up a return to Rutgers. Two sophomores led the way, as Mike Simborski poured in a game-high 28 points, while Shriyans Mallavarapu went for 23 points off the bench for Montgomery (26-4). Noahm Marciano scored a team-high 13 points for East (25-4) in the loss. Montgomery will face Plainfield in the Group 4 state final for the second straight year, as the Cougars look for revenge on Saturday at Rutgers.
JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the highlights and interviews from Deptford:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Montgomery is brought to you by Princeton Orthopaedic Associates.
Lenape 54 Franklin 35 | Girls | Group 4 State Semifinal
El-Anita Joe-Samuel and the Indians took control with a 10-1 run to open the third as the raced into their second state final in three years. Joe-Samuel put the team on her back as the junior standout poured in a game-high 39 points in the victory. Ryleigh Nichols added six points for Lenape (28-4). Alissa Myers and Nola Bright each went for a team-high ten points in the loss for Franklin (22-9). Lenape will try to win its second state title in three years when it faces Westfield for the Group 4 state title on Saturday.
JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights and reaction from Deptford:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Franklin is made possible by Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset.
Caldwell 68 Glen Rock 43 | Girls | Group 2 State Semfinal
Caldwell used a dominant second quarter to pull away and punch its ticket to Rutgers with a 68-43 win over Glen Rock in the Group 2 state semifinals. The Chiefs turned a tight game into a double-digit lead with a 20-6 run in the second quarter and never looked back. Addison Keenan led the way with a game-high 25 points while Tea Fiore added 17 points and Fallon Fiore chipped in 13 in the victory. Elena Kearns finished with seven points, while Aaliyah Rodriguez, Adriana Brown and Siena Leone each added two. Mia Vergel de Dios helped lead Glen Rock early in the contest, but Caldwell’s pressure defense and balanced scoring proved too much down the stretch. Caldwell will face Manasquan in the Group 2 state championship game Saturday at Jersey Mike’s Arena in Rutgers.
JSZ’s Nick Doll has the highlights from Bloomfield:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Caldwell is made possible by Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston.
