Friday’s Finest in New Jersey
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Friday saw a plethora of action in the Garden State, from milestones being hit to title games being decided. We’ll try to fit in as much as we can into this article about what happened during today’s action, but here’s…
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Continue ReadingFriday saw a plethora of action in the Garden State, from milestones being hit to title games being decided. We’ll try to fit in as much as we can into this article about what happened during today’s action, but here’s a quick look at Friday’s Finest in New Jersey on February 10.
Cherokee, Camden Catholic advance to SJIBT championship
The semifinals of the South Jersey Invitational Basketball Tournament took place on Friday and from there, we have two finalists to play in the title game on Sunday. No. 1 overall seed Cherokee defended its seeding, winning its eighth-consecutive game and 19th in its last 20, a 24-point victory over Cinnaminson.
The Chiefs will be facing off against No. 3 seeded Camden Catholic, who saw a 30-point effort from Kassidy Thompson Kassidy Thompson 5'9" | SG Camden Catholic | 2023 State NJ catapult the Irish over Williamstown, 72-45. Impressive games from senior Aaryn Battle Aaryn Battle 5'8" | SF Camden Catholic | 2023 State NJ and freshman Kassidy Vaughn for Camden Catholic, scoring 13 points each in the win. Williamstown had a great game from Alivia Mauz Alivia Mauz 5'7" | PG Williamstown | 2025 State NJ , who hit 4 three-pointers, scoring 18 points for the Braves.
Kowalski hits 1000 as Montville advances to finals
Montville had another player to add to its 1000 career points banner as senior Grace Kowalski Grace Kowalski 5'6" | SG Montville | 2023 State NJ surpassed the mark during Friday’s Morris County Tournament semifinal against Chatham. Kowalski finished a perfect 5-for-5 from the line and a game-high 21 points for the Mustangs, along with four rebounds, five assists, a block and five steals.
Four players for Montville scored in double-figures in the win, including Katie Gorski Katie Gorski 6'1" | PF Montville | 2023 State NJ , who had 14 points, six rebounds and a block. Senior Carey Werheim Carey Werheim SF Montville | 2023 State NJ had one of her better performances of the season as well, with 13 points, two steals and a block for Montville.
Rosenfeld has 18 PTS, 18 REB for Morris Catholic
Facing Montville in the Morris County Tournament championship will be Morris Catholic, who dominated Randolph in a 30+ point win on Friday. While sophomore Daniella Matus Daniella Matus 5'10" | CG St. John Vianney | 2025 State NJ led the Crusaders in scoring with 19 points, hitting 3 three-pointers, it was junior Alexis Rosenfeld Alexis Rosenfeld 6'2" | C Morris Catholic | 2024 State NJ who stole the show, posting an 18-point, 18-rebound double-double with a block.
Morris Catholic had four double-figure scorers and a great defensive day from Mia Pauldo Mia Pauldo 5'7" | CG Morris Catholic | 2025 State NJ , recording six steals in the win, her fourth-straight game with six steals and fifth game in her last six with at least five steals.
Carayannopoulos’s double-double powers Westfield
Not many have talked about the rising sophomore for Westfield as she can get lost in the equation for as good of a team as the Blue Devils have. However, her performance during Friday’s Union County Tournament quarterfinal win over Gov. Livingston deserves some attention.
It was a career day for the forward, posting a 20-point, 13-rebound double-double in a 32-point win, her third double-double of the season and a career-high in points. Her two blocks gives her 39 on the season and her 13th multi-block game as a sophomore.
Chandler records unique triple-double for Elizabeth
Let’s just say it’s rare for a player to record a triple-double and one of those categories being steals, but Dynasty Chandler Dynasty Chandler 5'8" | SF Elizabeth | 2024 State NJ did that and then some, having an incredible day for Elizabeth in a big comeback victory in the Union County Tournament quarterfinals.
Chandler finished with 22 points, 23 rebounds and 10 steals, her first-career triple-double and second 20/20 game of the season. Chandler is currently averaging nearly 16 rebounds a game and six steals a game as a junior.
Pennington reaches Prep B Tournament final behind 41 from Matthews, Augustine
Pennington has quite the 1-2 punch in the prep girls scene in New Jersey with Morgan Matthews Morgan Matthews 6'0" | SG Pennington | 2024 State NJ and Izzy Augustine Izzy Augustine 5'7" | SG Pennington | 2025 State NJ and on Friday, the two combined for 41 points in a 61-48 win over Morristown-Beard. Matthews recorded her ninth-straight 20-point game, a 21-point performance to lead Pennington, while Augustine sunk 4 three-pointers en route to a 20-point night, her third 20-point performance as a sophomore.
Morris Knolls’ Perna scores career-high in convincing win
Charlee Perna Charlee Perna 5'6" | SG Morris Knolls | 2025 State NJ has taken some significant strides forward for Morris Knolls in her sophomore season and Friday saw her post a career-high in points seemingly out of nowhere against Newton. She finished with 21 points, shooting 5-of-6 from the line along with two 3-pointers as the Golden Eagles defeated Newton, 60-39, a 21-point win just like Perna’s final scoreline. Coincidence? We think not.