Here are highlights from the action in the 2014 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions final between 2nd seeded Newark East Side and top seeded St. Joseph’s on Monday night at the Sun National Bank Center in Trenton.
Behind the efforts of 10 first half points from Breein Tyree, St. Joe’s jumped out to a 27-10 lead late in the first half before Newark East Side woke up with an 11-1 spurt to end the second quarter and close the gap to 28-21 at the break. The Falcons then took advantage of some Red Raider foul trouble early in the third to raise its lead back up to double digits at 34-23.
However, led by the efforts of Jamar Gilbert (16 points), the Red Raiders rallied with a 24-12 surge over a span of 9:09 to take a 47-46 lead. Gilbert and reserve guard, Jibreel Ahmed connected on threes to help give East Side the one point lead. The Falcons would prevail though as Marques Townes (11 points) went 3 of 4 from the line down the stretch to give Joes its first ever T of C crown.
Wade Baldwin, Tyree, and Raven Owen each chipped in for the Falcons with 10 points while Karl Towns added 8 in the win. Ahmad Harrison scored 10 points in a losing cause for Newark East Side. Both teams concluded their season at 30-2.