NJSIAA Non-Public Quarterfinals Recap: 2/24
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The playoff chaos of the Garden State continues as we saw a number of quarterfinal games take place on Friday, leading to exciting finishes, upsets and more. Great performances were seen across the board, something that will be exciting to…
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Continue ReadingThe playoff chaos of the Garden State continues as we saw a number of quarterfinal games take place on Friday, leading to exciting finishes, upsets and more. Great performances were seen across the board, something that will be exciting to watch come the sectional semifinals, but here’s a quick recap of the quarterfinal action.
Balanced Paul VI scoring attack overpowers Notre Dame
Coming into the state sectional tournaments, most around New Jersey had a good inkling that Paul VI was going to be amongst the best teams left and was going to make a deep playoff run. Not surprising that in Friday’s quarterfinal matchup against Notre Dame, the Eagles won by over 50, with five players scoring in double-figures, highlighted by senior standout Hannah Hidalgo Hannah Hidalgo 5'7" | PG Paul VI | 2023 State NJ , who finished with 25 points and 10 steals.
Serrano, Dakos battle it out
The final of the North Jersey Non-Public A quarterfinal matchup between Holy Angels and Newark Academy ended up turning into some great individual battles between Samantha Serrano Samantha Serrano SG Holy Angels | 2024 State NJ and Kyra Sapontzis of Holy Angels and Katerina Dakos Katerina Dakos 5'8" | SG Newark Academy | 2024 State NJ of Newark Academy. Serrano and Sapontzis combined for 50 points in the win, with Dakos putting up 22/7 in the loss, and along with Serrano’s 27 points, she had a double-double with 10 rebounds mixed in.
McKay goes off for Roselle Catholic
Jasmin McKay Jasmin McKay 5'5" | CG Roselle Catholic | 2025 State NJ is an absolute bucket on the floor and for Roselle Catholic, she had herself quite the game, however in a losing fashion, against Lodi Immaculate on Friday. She went off for a season-high 29 points, but her efforts weren’t nearly enough to stop Lodi’s balanced scoring attack, with four players scoring 10+ points. Isabella Javier Isabella Javier 5'6" | PG Immaculate Conception Lodi | 2023 State NJ led the Blue Wolves with 16 points while Yasmeen Brightwell recorded a 15-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Schultz’s double-double not enough against Holy Spirit
Natalie Schultz Natalie Schultz C Holy Cross Prep | 2023 State NJ put together quite the quarterfinal performance for Holy Cross Prep, posting a 20-point, 11-rebound double-double against Holy Spirit, but with Lauren Cella Lauren Cella 5'5" | CG Holy Spirit | 2026 State NJ scoring 17 points and Sabrina Little Sabrina Little 5'6" | PG Holy Spirit | 2025 State NJ scoring 14 points for Holy Spirit, plus four others scoring six points or more, a thin roster hurt the Lancers in an eventual 67-60 loss.
Branigan shines down low for St. Dominic
We can definitely talk about how Janiyah Capers Janiyah Capers 5'3" | PG St. Dominic | 2025 State NJ scored a game-high 19 points for St. Dominic or how teammate Alyssa Stridiron Alyssa Stridiron 5'6" | CG St. Dominic | 2025 State NJ scored 18 points along with five steals, but Maddie Branigan Maddie Branigan 6'0" | PF St. Dominic | 2023 State NJ stole the show, posting an 11-point, 17-rebound double-double with a career-high six blocks. Her performance down low was the difference as St. Dominic advanced to the North Jersey Non-Public A semis with an 11-point win.
Freshman Platt shines again for Pope John
We don’t care if it’s becoming a redundant thing to see Addison Platt having great games for Pope John because what an incredible talent she is and what a performance she had on Friday: 23 points, 15 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 steals. Teammate Madison Miller Madison Miller 6'3" | C Morris Catholic | 2024 State NJ also recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds, along with two blocks. Hudson Catholic’s KendraLee Ramirez KendraLee Ramirez PG Hudson Catholic | 2025 NY and Tatianna Collins Tatianna Collins 5'9" | CG Morris Catholic | 2025 State NJ gave Pope John all it could handle as the two combined for 31 points in the 61-44 loss.
Baisley balls out, but Montclair Immaculate moves on
It was unfortunately the end of the road for Gill St. Bernard’s who lost a close game to Montclair Immaculate on Friday, but Brooke Baisley Brooke Baisley 5'10" | SF Gill St. Bernard's | 2024 State NJ was fantastic for GSB, posting a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Teammate Gandy Malou-Mamel Gandy Malou-Mamel 6'6" | C Gill St. Bernard's | 2025 State NJ had a great game down low as well with four blocks and 11 points, but led by Tyonna Bailey Tyonna Bailey 5'10" | CG Montclair Immaculate | 2023 State NJ and Cierra Cevallos, the Lions prevailed.
Rutgers Prep puts 91 up on Trenton Catholic
Another near-lock from us to advance late into the NJSIAA playoffs, Rutgers Prep put on an offensive display against Trenton Catholic, scoring 91 points in a 91-43 victory. Katie Ledden Katie Ledden 6'0" | SG Rutgers Prep | 2023 State NJ led the Argos with 26 points, three blocks and five steals, Mikayla Blakes Mikayla Blakes 5'8" | SG Rutgers Prep | 2024 State NJ close behind with 21 points, two blocks and three steals. Ava LaMonica Ava LaMonica 5'9" | PG Rutgers Prep | 2026 State NJ shined on both sides with a 12-point, 13-rebound double-double and four steals.
Camden Catholic storms back in 2nd half, upsets Trinity Hall
Upsets and close games are what the postseason is all about and Camden Catholic made the most of a second-half comeback to defeat Trinity Hall, 56-55. Kassidy Thompson Kassidy Thompson 5'9" | SG Camden Catholic | 2023 State NJ led the Irish, shooting 10-of-14 from the line and finishing with 25 points. Aaryn Battle Aaryn Battle 5'8" | SF Camden Catholic | 2023 State NJ and Gabby Vaughn both finished in double-figures as well in the win. For Trinity Hall, it was Nina Emnace Nina Emnace 5'6" | PG Trinity Hall | 2024 State NJ , scoring 20 points to lead the team in the close loss.