Non-Public B North: Semi-Final Preview
Photo by Yahoo! Sports The top-four seeds advanced to the semi-final round in the Non-Public B North state tournament. These are four teams that have all been ranked in New Jersey’s top-10 all season long. This is the must see…
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The top-four seeds advanced to the semi-final round in the Non-Public B North state tournament. These are four teams that have all been ranked in New Jersey’s top-10 all season long. This is the must see bracket around the state. Here is a preview of each game on Friday night.
1- Gill St. Bernard’s vs. 4- Hudson Catholic
Gill St. Bernard’s is looking to avenge a semi-final loss in the Somerset County Tournament with a state title. They picked up a blowout win in the quarterfinals led by Mackenzie Mgbako Mackenzie Mgbako 6'8" | SF Roselle Catholic | 2023 State #5 Nation NJ . The freshman finished with 23 points and seven rebounds. Will Soucie Will Soucie 6'5" | SF Gill St. Bernard's | 2020 State NJ also turned in a strong game with 14 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. They will take on No. 4 Hudson Catholic led by Zion Cruz Zion Cruz 6'4" | SG Patrick School | 2022 #26 Nation CA-S . They were 61-54 winners over Saddle Day River in the quarterfinal.
This is a matchup of two teams that play different styles. Gill St. Bernard’s has two dominant big men in Mgbako and Princeton commit Zach Martini Zach Martini 6'7" | PF Gill St. Bernard's | 2020 State #349 Nation NJ . They like to play inside out while Hudson Catholic has elite guard play. Cruz leads a crew of talented guards including Justin Glove, Isaiah Griffin Isaiah Griffin 5'11" | PG Patrick School | 2023 KS , and Phil Brown Phil Brown 6'4" | SG Hudson Catholic | 2021 CT . Gill St. Bernard’s holds a slight edge in this one because they have Soucie and Denver Anglin Denver Anglin 6'0" | PG Gill St. Bernard's | 2022 State #120 Nation NJ who can matchup on the perimeter with Hudson Catholic.
2- The Patrick School vs. 3- Roselle Catholic
Both of these teams picked up double-digit wins in the quarterfinal and now we will get round four between these Union County rivals. The Patrick School took down Roselle Catholic twice in the regular season. They then got the best of the Lions in the Union County Tournament. Now, Roselle Catholic will get a fourth shot at taking down the Celtics on one of the biggest stages. For the Celtics, they have to feel confident with three wins under their belt but it is difficult to beat a team four times.
The Patrick School is extremely deep. Any player can take over on a given night. Noah Farrakhan Noah Farrakhan 6'1" | PG The Patrick School | 2020 #159 Nation NJ scored 15 points in the quarterfinal while Jonathan Kuminga Jonathan Kuminga 6'8" | SF Patrick School | 2020 #1 Nation NJ finished with 12 points and seven rebounds. It was also a cake walk for Roselle Catholic. Cliff Omoruyi Cliff Omoruyi 6'11" | C Roselle Catholic | 2020 #56 Nation NJ notched a triple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocks. He is the x-factor against the Celtics. Omoruyi has not gotten it going in any of the three games against them. The Patrick School has the size and strength to slow down Omoruyi which not many others have. Is the fourth time a charm for Roselle Catholic?