Wednesday’s Sectional Semifinal Madness in New Jersey

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>What a big day it was for a number of teams in the Garden State as the NJSIAA sectional semifinals took place across the state. We had upsets, close finishes, convincing performances and everything under the sun. This article will try to summarize all of it into one story, talking about the top moments and players from the day's games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='844403' first='Penelope' last='Swarn'] - Hightstown (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the first time since 1988, Hightstown finds itself playing for a sectional title, and the Rams have earned every bit of it. In Wedneday's semifinal against Jackson Memorial, several standouts came to the forefront, but junior [player_tooltip player_id='844403' first='Penelope' last='Swarn'] turned things up a notch for sure. Her third-straight double-double, a 14-point, 15-rebound game, came with a mind-boggling four blocks and eight steals as she was a force untamed on the floor.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='651500' first='Isabella' last='Ruh'] - Hillsborough (2027)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Down goes the NJSIAA Group IV state champions from last season, falling at the hands of Hillsborough in the semis, and if there was any game for freshman forward [player_tooltip player_id='651500' first='Isabella' last='Ruh'] to break out, it was this one. Nothing like a double-double effort, with 12 points and 11 rebounds, to get the job done as the Raiders now get a chance to play for a sectional title.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='835906' first='El-Anita' last='Joe-Samuel'] - Lenape (2027)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It seemed like giants left-and-right were falling like flies across the state, this time Group IV power Cherokee. Lenape didn't just beat the Chiefs, but doubled them up, 41-20, and freshman standout [player_tooltip player_id='835906' first='El-Anita' last='Joe-Samuel'] carried the torch in the win. Nothing like a 21-point night with a pair of threes to get her team firmly into a sectional final.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='835862' first='Gabby' last='Harvey'] - Cinnaminson (2027)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the second-straight season, Cinnaminson finds itself playing for a Group II sectional final in South Jersey, and in a tough-fought battle against Haddonfield, the Pirates relied on their freshman. [player_tooltip player_id='835862' first='Gabby' last='Harvey'] made some big plays on Wednesday, finishing with a game-high 11 points, knocking down a three as well, and her ability to control the game, letting it go through her, has turned her into a superstar talent already.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='898071' first='Reagen' last='Powell'] - Middle Township (2026)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Middle Township kept the top scorer in New Jersey and one of the top scorers in the country in check, paving the way for an impressive 61-51 win over Manchester Township on Wednesday. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='898071' first='Reagen' last='Powell'] turned into the star of the show in the win, going off for 27 points, a perfect 10-of-10 at the foul line, and a trio of three-pointers. She was unstoppable, and a driving force in a sectional final appearance for the Panthers.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='865672' first='Kylee' last='Beam'] - Howell (2027)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Howell needed everything to take down South Brunswick in an exciting Group IV semifinal in Central Jersey and on this day, freshman [player_tooltip player_id='865672' first='Kylee' last='Beam'] led the way. Beam has been nothing short of stellar this season, and with a game-high 12 points, she was the difference-maker as things got too close for comfort late. The end result, a 45-42 win for Howell, a 12th game scoring in double-figures for Beam, and a sectional final appearance.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">[player_tooltip player_id='414346' first='Brenna' last='Slattery'] - New Providence (2025)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Of the many players that stepped up and had solid performances for New Providence in what ended up being a blowout win over Wall, junior [player_tooltip player_id='414346' first='Brenna' last='Slattery'] continued her breakout junior season in a big way. A perfect 10-for-10 from the foul line leading to a 16-point, five-rebound day with a steal and assist tacked on. She was playing physical and making the Crimson Knights pay at the line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->