2016 NJSIAA Girls Group Public Finals Recap

Group 1 Final

University 81, Bound Brook 55 – University senior Jahiyah Chavis continued her dominant tournament run tallying 21 points while dishing out 13 assists and senior Iyannah Moore also tacked on 21 points as the Phoenix dispatched Bound Brook 81-55 in the Group 1 Final. With the score tied at 12-12 in the 1^st quarter, University closed out on a 6-0 run.

In the second quarter, the Phoenix were up 25-17 with five minutes to go when Chavis scored nine points as University finished the half on a 13-5 spurt taking a comfortable 38-22 lead into the locker room. University strung together a solid third quarter outscoring the Crusaders 27-12 breaking the game wide open.

“Jihayah is our leader on the team and I told her to be more aggressive and step up doing the things she normally does,” said University Head Coach Middy Baraka Jr. “We got some help from one of our sophomore Tamara Johnson who did a very good job of opening it up for us. We preach it all day about getting rebounds, defending the ball and getting out and running. This means everything to me and for my sister may she rest in peace, a victim of domestic violence she used to play for University, they hung her jersey and now I’m the coach here which is amazing.”

Group 2 Final

Manasquan 68, High Point 43 – The Manasquan Warriors came out firing on all cylinders in the first quarter jumping out to a 21-7 and were never challenged the rest of the way by High Point extending their lead to 38-17 at half time and won the Group 2 final easily 68-43. Junior Stella Clark led the Warriors in scoring with 20 points while knocking down four three-pointers, freshman Faith Masonius netted 18 points and sophomore Dara Mabrey contributed 15.

“When Stella and Darla are able to start out that way it opens up things on the inside,” said Manasquan Head Coach Lisa Kukoda. “For the two of them to step up that way and score puts us at that comfort level offensively. We did a good with the reads, half court offenses and played the way we are capable of. I told them it was our team on the court doing what we needed to do.”

Group 3 Final

Old Tappan 47, Middletown South 36 – The Old Tappan Golden Knights built an early 36-15, survived a seven-minute scoring drought and furious 14-1 second half run by Middletown South to win the Group 3 Final 47-36. Old Tappan senior Emily Crevani poured in a game-high 20 points including hitting six critical free throws down the stretch and a steal that led to a transition bucket with 18 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

The Golden Knights played superior defense holding the Eagles without a point for 12:25. Middletown South ended the streak on a bucket from senior Stephanie Karcz with 7:41 remaining in the third quarter.

“When you have the best point guard around you always are in the lead,” said Old Tappan Head Coach Brian Dunn. “She(Emily Crevani) is not backing down from anything, loves to be in the middle of the mix and ready to rise up for the challenge anytime.”

Group 4 Final

Lenape 50, Paterson Kennedy 35 – The Lenape Indians had balanced scoring in their 50-35 victory over Paterson Kennedy in the Group 4 Final with Maddie Sims leading way 14 points while Amanda McGrogan contributed 10 points and Kendall Keyes scored all of her eight points in the first quarter. A 10-2 spurt at the end of the second quarter gave the Indians a 30-20 lead at the intermission break. The margin would grow to 42-28 at the end of the third quarter.

“A great group of kids who played as a team and I’m very proud to be their coach,” said Lenape Head Coach Rob Hummel. “Even more tonight the contributions from all the players at different aspects of the game especially off the bench.”