South Non-Public B Championship: St. Rose 86, Rutgers Prep 55

Facing an undermanned Rutgers Prep team down two starters (and a third just minutes into the game), emerging powerhouse St. Rose romped to a blowout win for its third consecutive sectional title. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='1411642' first='Evan' last='Romano'] led all scorers with 27 points, highlighted by 17 in a dominant third quarter, with four-star junior swingman [player_tooltip player_id='1580578' first='Jayden' last='Hodge'] adding 22. St. Rose advances to take on Roselle Catholic in the Non-Public B state championship game at Rutgers.    The star of the night was unquestionably Romano, who put his potent scoring ability on full display en route to a loud 27 points. He came out aggressive with 10 points in the first half, but took over in the third with an array of crafty drives and increasingly difficult 3s (of which he'd knock down five). Looking stronger to go along with his well-rounded skillset, Romano should be sending the tape of this one to any D1 coach sitting on the fence with regards to pulling the trigger.     The two-way focal point for the Purple Roses, Hodge was steady and efficient with his impact on his way to scoring 22 points. Doing his damage at the rim, he was a consistent force as a driver both in the halfcourt and transition, using his strength, touch, and athleticism to finish consistently with his right hand. Hodge also shined on the defensive end, guarding across positions and using his quick, instinctive hands to force a number of turnovers. The only thing missing for the Belgian swingman was his 3-ball, but he showed the entire rest of the package that's seen him already be prioritized by numerous high-major programs.     The third double-figure scorer for the Purple Roses, Lynch took a page out of Hodge's book with his efficient, high-IQ play across the board. With great size for the wing and versatility across the positional spectrum, Lynch thrived as an opportunistic scorer whether attacking mismatches off the bounce or sneaking into open space for easy layups. He doesn't have the sexiest game, but is consistently impactful in the type of complementary role that's often valued of wings at the next level. With high-level basketball bloodlines and an emerging game of his own, Lynch figures to be a popular name among high-academic D1 coaches from a wide range of levels in the years to come.     Typically known almost exclusively for his shooting ability, injuries across the Argonaut lineup forced Loomis into an increased role. Despite the lopsided score, he took advantage of the opportunity to showcase his expanding skillset in the backcourt. Loomis showed a polished handle while attacking defenders for tough finishes in either direction, also showcasing some feel and skill as a passer when he drew help defenders. Not forgetting his bread and butter, he knocked down a quartet of shots from beyond the arc as well on his way to 19 points. While undersized, Loomis continuing to show added dimensions to his game should have him on scholarship radars before long given the value he already brings as a sniper.     The other bright spot for Rutgers Prep in the season-ending loss were the flashes shown by Canton at the point. He was aggressive using his dynamic handle and strong frame to work his way into the paint, where he displayed crafty finishing ability using either hand and keen vision for kickouts to shooters. His competitive fire also showed through in spite of the lopsided score and the injuries alongside him. We'll look to see growth in terms of his feel from the lead guard spot, but the building blocks are there for Canton to develop into a high-major guard over time.

Facing an undermanned Rutgers Prep team down two starters (and a third just minutes into the game), emerging powerhouse St. Rose romped to a blowout win for its third consecutive sectional title. Senior guard Evan Romano Evan Romano 6'3" | CG St. Rose | 2025 State NJ led all scorers with 27 points, highlighted by 17 in a dominant third quarter, with four-star junior swingman Jayden Hodge Jayden Hodge 6'5" | SG Montverde Academy | 2026 #41 Nation FL adding 22. St. Rose advances to take on Roselle Catholic in the Non-Public B state championship game at Rutgers.