South Jersey Non-Public A Playoff Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We're six days away from the start of the South Jersey Non-Public A playoffs. Action is slated to begin on Friday, February 28.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Check out my full preview and prediction for the South Jersey, Non-Public A bracket below.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Seeds</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>1- Paul VI</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2- St. Rose</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>3- Red Bank Catholic</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>4- St. John Vianney</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>5- Bishop Eustace</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>6- St. Thomas Aquinas</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>7- Trinity Hall</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>8- Union Catholic</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9- Our Lady of Mercy</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10- Immaculata</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>11- Camden Catholic</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>12- Notre Dame</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>13- Mount St. Mary</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>14- Princeton Day</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Favorite</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Paul VI (23-0):</strong> One of the two remaining undefeated teams in the state, Paul VI has been on a tear this season. South Jersey's top-ranked squad captured what was arguably its best win of the season against nationally-ranked Long Island Lutheran (NY), 65-57 in a thrilling come-from-behind victory. PVI trailed by 13 at halftime. Sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='789189' first='Brooke' last='Stagliano'] has knocked down 69 three-pointers this winter, good for an average of three per game. Most in the S.J. basketball community will tell you that she's already a top-five shooter in the region, which is even more impressive when you consider her grade. Besides Stagliano, the Eagles are loaded with talent and depth. [player_tooltip player_id='414234' first='Azanah' last='Campbell'] and [player_tooltip player_id='583705' first='Kiyanna' last='Blacks-Stewart'] are a powerful senior duo and sophomore guard [player_tooltip player_id='676824' first='Keiara' last='Sellers'] has also contributed consistently. Expect Paul VI to dominate for much of the tournament as the clear favorite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Contenders</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Red Bank Catholic (24-4): </strong>In the midst of an 18-game win streak, Red Bank Catholic hasn't lost a game since January 12. The Caseys have a balanced scoring attack, with Addy Nyemchek (junior), [player_tooltip player_id='333320' first='Christina' last='Liggio'] (senior), and [player_tooltip player_id='333319' first='Tessa' last='Carman'] (senior), each having over 250 points scored this season. RBC knocked off St. Rose in the Shore Conference Tournament final, 50-48 in a thriller on Friday. If anyone has a shot to contend with Paul VI, it's the Caseys.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>St. Rose (21-5): </strong>A top-ten team in the state, St. Rose has improved majorly from this time last year. Last season, the Purple Roses finished with a 19-10 record. This time around, they enter the playoffs with that loss total cut in half and two extra wins. That is largely thanks to junior guard [player_tooltip player_id='559070' first='Jada' last='Lynch'], who recently reached 1,200 career points. Senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='333333' first='Cassidy' last='Kruesi'] also recently reached the 1,000 career points mark and is averaging 14.3 per game this winter. When that duo is clicking, they're hard for opposing defenses to stop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Underdog</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Bishop Eustace (20-7): </strong>After an average 16-13 record in 2024, Bishop Eustace has taken a big leap with a 20-win campaign. A younger lineup, the Crusaders are led by sophomore forward [player_tooltip player_id='1048687' first='Angelina' last='Pena'] and freshman guard [player_tooltip player_id='913907' first='Alexa' last='Racobaldo'], who have combined for 536 points this winter. Aside from that duo, senior guard [player_tooltip player_id='414236' first='Giavanna' last='Rogers'] has knocked down a team-high 69 three-pointers this season, which is more than everyone else on the team combined. Although Bishop Eustace has been impressive on the local level this season, it will be a tough challenge to go on the road and knock off any of the higher seeds but don't be surprised if the Crusaders put up a fight.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Top Five Players</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='789189' first='Brooke' last='Stagliano'], Paul VI</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='559070' first='Jada' last='Lynch'], St. Rose</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Addy Nyemchek, Red Bank Catholic</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='333333' first='Cassidy' last='Kruesi'], St. Rose</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>[player_tooltip player_id='414234' first='Azanah' last='Campbell'], Paul VI</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Projected Final</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Paul VI</em> </strong>vs. St. Rose</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Note: Predicted winner in bold.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->