Plainfield, Bergen Catholic and St. Peter’s Prep are in the same positions they have occupied at 1, 2 and 3, respectively, since Jan. 1, though not without a bracing splash of drama.
For Plainfield, it was last Tuesday’s game against unranked Union Catholic. The Vikings were able to establish a two-point halftime lead against a squad that is not too familiar with facing deficits, but Plainfield rallied behind clutch senior guard Micah Gordon for a 67-62 victory.
Bergen Catholic’s scare came from the team sitting right below it, No. 3 St. Peter’s Prep on Saturday at the Big Jersey Showcase at at Caldwell University.
The Marauders were able to build a six-point lead after three quarters behind the leadership of senior guard Richie Rosa, but Bergen Catholic rose up with the help of Alex Mazzella, Jaden Brow and Julius Avent to scratch out a 45-42 victory.
Then-No. 4 Christian Brothers did not have the same late-game fortune as Plainfield and Bergen Catholic, as it saw its four-point deficit at the half expand over the last two quarters in a 64-52 loss to then-No. 6 Gill St. Bernard’s at the Big Jersey Showcase.
Gill is now at No. 4, a position that may have been held by Roselle Catholic, expect the then-No. 5 Lions were surprised by unranked Elizabeth, 77-73, last Tuesday. They only dropped one spot, though, because four days later, RC dominated then-No. 10 Rutgers Prep.
Elizabeth, a preseason Top 20 member, rejoins the pack on the merits of its win over Roselle Catholic. Lenape, then No. 19, exits following a 1-2 week.
Scroll through below and introduce yourselves to the teams that comprise the Top 20 for Jan. 27.
1-Plainfield (15-1)
Last week: No. 1
Junior guard Micah Gordon continued his splendid reign of terror against rival guards by averaging 24.3 points in victories over Union Catholic, Westfield and Elizabeth. Senior Devin Thomas contributed 15.0 ppg.over that stretch to raise the Cardinals’ winning streak to 10 games. Gordon, averaging 23.3 points and 3.1 steals for the season, will lead Plainfield against No. 7 Linden Tuesday and then face Union County Conference foes Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Union Catholic Thursday and Saturday at the Metro Classic at Stockton University.
2-Bergen Catholic (15-2)
Last week: No. 2
The Crusaders won the Big Jersey Basketball showcase this past weekend in a late 45-42 tally vs. St. Peter’s Prep to remain the top Non-Public program. Jaden Brown and Jahlil Owusu led with 13 and 10 points, respectively. Bergen Catholic, the No. 1 seed in the Bergen Jamboree, will continue its quest for the top spot in N.J. with upcoming games against Ridgewood and Spire Academy (OH).
3-St. Peter’s Prep (13-3)
Last week: No. 3
The Marauders came close to upsetting No. 2 Bergen Catholic last Saturday at the Big Jersey Showcase, but squandered a five-point lead entering the fourth quarter. Senior guard Richie Rosa scored 12 points for st. Peter’s. The Marauders topped then-No. 11 Seton Hall Prep two nights earlier, 50-41, behind 19 points and six rebounds from senoir forward Mason Santiago, 16 from Rosa and 11 from senior forward Nick Maertinez.
4-Gill St. Bernard’s (15-2)
Last week: No. 6
The Knights have won 11 games in a row, including victories Hunterdon Central, Watchung Hills, and then-No. 4 Christian Brothers this past week. Four players reached double figures against CBA, led by 24 from Dorsett Mulcahy, 16 from Prosper Sonkoua, 12 from Connor Junker, and 10 from Jahmal Dixon. Gill will face Immaculata, Paramus Catholic, and Spire Academy (OH) this week.
5-Christian Brothers (15-3)
Last week: No. 4
The Colts’ four-game winning streak came to a halt this past Saturday against Gill St. Bernard’s in a 64-52 loss, but CBA has still played like a Top 5 team in N.J. this winter. They will gear back up to face St. Rose, Rumson-Fair Haven, and Middle Township this week.
6-Roselle Catholic (10-6)
Last week: No. 5
The Lions opened the week with a 77-73 overtime loss to Elizabeth on Tuesday, but rebounded with victories against Union Catholic and then No. 10 Rutgers Prep. Roselle Catholic handled Rutgers Prep with surprising ease, 74-52, behind a 31-point performance by senior forward Kahlik Thomas, 14 from Trevon Lewis and 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists from Tyrease Hunter.
7-Linden (11-5)
Last week: No. 7
The Tigers played just one game last week, a 39-30 victory over Scotch Plains-Fanwood that senior point guard Jaren Barnett with nine points. Linden faces considerably tougher competition this week against No. 1 Plainfield Tuesday, No. 6 Roselle Catholic Thursday and national power Spire Academy (OH) Saturday at the Metro Classic at Stockton University.
8-Cherry Hill East (14-0)
Last week: No. 8
Leaders of the Olympic American, Cherry Hill East is one of just five unbeaten teams left in the state. The Cougars picked up wins last week over Moorestown and Winslow, with senior guard Chris Delgado eclipsing the 1,000-point mark with a 28-point performance against Moorestown. Two division games this week against Rancocas Valley and Eastern will go a long way in helping East secure the crown.
9-St. Joseph (Met.) (16-0)
Last week: No. 9
Junior guard Andrew Kretkowski averaged 25 point and 8.6 rebounds over three games to steer the Falcons to victories over Woodbridge, East Brunswick and Coatesville, Pa.Fellow junior guard Aidan Carter produced a double-double against East Brunswick with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and a triple-double against Coastesville with 13 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
10-Paul VI (12-3)
Last week: No. 14
Winners of 11 in a row, Paul VI came away with two impressive victories last week over division rival Camden Catholic and Middle Township in non-league play. The Eagles come into the week with a two-game lead in the Olympic National and have been extremely balanced offensively. Four players are averaging in double figures – Toussant Malukila (16.7), Isaiah Thatcher (13.8), Seth Dozier (13.2) and Will Spross (11.1). Malukila, a 7-foot-2 sophomore, is also chipping in 11 rebounds and three blocks.
11-Rutgers Prep (11-6)
Last week: No. 10
The Argonauts earned key wins over East Brunswick and Immaculata this past week before falling to Roselle Catholic, ending their five-game winning stride. Against Immaculata, Rutgers Prep cored 93 points, including 31 from William Brunson. Franklin, Seton Hall Prep, and Watchung Hills are on deck for the Argonauts.
12-Montgomery (14-3)
Last week: No. 12
The Cougars jumped their win streak to six games with a pair of victories this past week over Ridge and Franklin, which saw Ethan Lin and Mike Simborski each drop a 20-point game. Montgomery will oppose Pingry and Central Jersey College Charter next.
13-Morris Catholic (13-3)
Last week: No. 13
The Crusaders rolled to 40-points wins over Mountain Lakes and West Caldwell Tech with the help of a balanced attack spearheaded by Donnie Gregory, Austin Workmam and Brandon Johnson. Gregory, a senior guard, scored a total 37 points in those games while Workman contrubuted a combined 29 points and 4.0 assists.
14-Tenafly (14-0)
Last week: No. 15
The Tigers added three more wins to their resume this past week, taking down Bergenfield, Demarest, and Bogota. Tenafly was given the No. 2 seed in the Bergen Jamboree, their highest seed in program history. They will also face Ridgefield Park and Old Tappan coming up, as Adin Goldschneider continues to score, averaging 23.5 points.
15-Shabazz (15-0)
Last week: No. 16
The Bulldogs remained undefeated by topping Montclair Kimberley, 74-64, and Verona, 70-50. Junior guard Elijah Colon scored 22 points and sophomore guard Anthony Blackmon had 20 against Montclair Kimberley, and both connected for 25 points against Verona. Senior guard Zaim Barnes helped with 11 points.
16-Seton Hall Prep (10-5)
Last week: No. 11
The Pirates will look to bounce back following a rough week in which they dropped back-to-back battle against Arts, 62-48, and No. 3 St. Peter’s Prep, 50-41. Avery George scored 15 points against Arts, and Infinite Sincere-Amen Ra netted 16 against St. Peter’s. Seton Hall faces Newark Tech Tuesday and Rutgers Prep Thursday.
17-Thrive Charter (12-2)
Last week: No. 17
The defending Group 1 state champions bounced back from a loss to Roselle Catholic with back-to-back wins over Trenton and Medford Tech. Sean Turner, Javion Cesar-Jones and Tyler Hammond combined for 48 points against Trenton, while Hammond went over the 1,000-point mark for his career against Medford Tech. Leaders of the BCSL Liberty, the Titans are schedued to face defending Group 2 state champion Manasquan on Saturday in the Jeff Coney Classic at Rancocas Valley.
18-St. Mary (Ruth.) (13-3)
Last week: No. 18
Matt Kennedy’s 20 points against Paterson Charter on Jan. 23 led the Gaels to victory, their 10th consecutive win. St. Mary earned the No. 3 seed in the Bergen Jamboree as they prepare for Glen Rock and Dwight-Englewood in regular season play.
19-Elizabeth (8-7)
Last week: Not ranked
The Minuteman, who began the season in the Top 20, earned their way back with a 77-73 upset over then-No. 5 Roselle Catholic last Tuesday. Elizabeth caused trouble for No. 1 Plainfield four nights later, but ultimately fell, 79-73. Junior guard Jayden Johnson pumped in 39 points in the upset and connected for 29 to reach 1,000 career points against Plainfield.
20-Union (14-1)
Last week: No. 20
The Farmers raised their winning streak to 10 games with victories against Summit, 44-27, and Hillside, 63-49. Upstart freshman guard Elijah Cortes netted 15 points and had four rebounds and four assists against Summit, and junior guard Reed Flood struck for 13 and seniors Javy Ocasio and Ezenna Asawabelem scored 11 each against Hillside.
