Marquee Matchups in Early February
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The first week of February will feature some intriguing matchups across the girls basketball landscape in New Jersey. After a busy first week of action, the second week of the season will surely get more intense with some big-time games.…
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Continue ReadingThe first week of February will feature some intriguing matchups across the girls basketball landscape in New Jersey. After a busy first week of action, the second week of the season will surely get more intense with some big-time games. Let’s take a look at some marquee matchups in early February.
Hudson Catholic at Lincoln, Feb. 2 at 4:30 p.m. – The top matchup in Hudson County on Tuesday, weather permitting, will be Hudson Catholic at Lincoln in a meeting of undefeated squads. Hudson Catholic dominated Hoboken and Mater Dei. Senior Zanai Jones Zanai Jones 5'5" | PG Hudson Catholic | 2021 State NJ and junior Kayla Beckford lead the way for Hudson Catholic. For Lincoln, also 2-0, it all starts with senior Jakira Coar, who is averaging 30 points through two games. Hudson Catholic will have a meeting with Bayonne in another highly interesting Hudson County game over the weekend. It will be a rematch of last year’s county final.
Montclair Immaculate at Saddle River Day, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. – Montclair Immaculate has been challenged early on in the season with losses to University and Cherokee, two state-ranked teams. Saddle River Day, one of the top teams in the state, will look to make it 2-0 after putting up 85 points in a win over Life Center. Juniors Saniah Caldwell Saniah Caldwell 5'8" | PG Saddle River Day | 2022 State #52 Nation NJ and Paulina Paris lead the way for Saddle River Day.
St. John Vianney at Rumson-Fair Haven, Feb. 2 at 6:30 p.m. – St. John Vianney, the top-ranked team in the state, brings back a wealth of talent from last season. The group brings back every player from last year’s 28-1 team, including junior sensation Madison St. Rose Madison St. Rose 5'10" | PG St. John Vianney | 2022 State #65 Nation NJ . Rumson-Fair Haven is 2-0 after defeating Red Bank Regional twice. Julia Corsentino Julia Corsentino 5'9" | SG Rumson-Fair Haven | 2023 State NJ , Cortland McBarron and Grace Munt lead the Bulldogs.
Bayonne at West Orange, Feb. 3 at 4 p.m. – Bayonne will have its first challenge when it takes on West Orange on the road on Wednesday. Eniya Scott Eniya Scott 5'6" | PG Bayonne | 2022 State NJ leads the way for the Bees. She put in a 26 points in the team’s 64-9 season-opening victory over Ferris. Jolyssa Moody and Christina Centeno also hit double figures for the Bees. Kiley Capstraw Kiley Capstraw 5'10" | SG West Orange | 2022 State NJ , a Yale commit, leads West Orange. She is averaging 30 points and nine rebounds through three games. West Orange will also meet University over the week on the road on Feb. 6 at 1 p.m. in another marquee matchup. Bayonne, on the other hand, takes on Hudson Catholic Saturday at noon in a rematch of last year’s Hudson County Tournament final.
Cherokee at Paul VI, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m. – Cherokee is 3-0 after taking down Bishop Eustace, Lenape and Montclair Immaculate. Alexa Therien Alexa Therien 6'1" | SF Cherokee | 2021 State NJ is the senior leader on the team, and she has hit double figures in three games. Paul VI opened the season with a double-digit win over West Orange. Sara McShea and Nile Miller each had a double-double in the game. Hannah Hidalgo Hannah Hidalgo 5'7" | PG Paul VI | 2023 State NJ put in 19 points and Veyoni Davis Veyoni Davis 5'8" | CG Moorestown | 2024 PA grabbed 12 rebounds.
Pope John at Sparta, Feb. 5 at 4 p.m. – Pope John opens up on Friday after a two-week halt to the season. Faith Pappas Faith Pappas 5'11" | SG Pope John | 2022 State NJ and Alana Robinson Alana Robinson 5'10" | SF Pope John | 2022 State NJ are two juniors that can certainly make an impact. Ahjionae Cobb is another junior who can play for the Lions. Sparta is 2-0 following wins over Morristown and Montville. Sophomores Brynn McCurry Brynn McCurry 6'1" | PF Sparta | 2023 State NJ and Ally Sweeney Ally Sweeney 5'8" | SG Sparta | 2023 State NJ lead the way for Sparta.