TOMS RIVER, NJ–On Saturday evening, GMC Hoops will be down at the Ritacco Center in Toms River to see the Non-Public B State Championship Game between the Eagles of Cardinal McCarrick and the Friars of St. Anthony’s of Jersey City. McCarrick won its first sectional championship in six years, and third in the last nine with a 40-38 victory in the Non-Public B South Championship over Gloucester Catholic. The Eagles also have a nice notch in their belt with a semifinal round victory over three time defending sectional champ and last year’s Tournament of Champions winner, Trenton Catholic.
Meanwhile, St. Anthony’s is coming off a huge win over arch rival, St. Patrick’s in what was billed as the de facto national championship game, or better known as the Non-Public B North Championship at the Rutgers Athletic Center on Wednesday night. Before a packed house of over 8,000 at the RAC, the Friars, seeded second in the tourney, and ranked second in both the state and nationally, used a 23-5 surge in the fourth quarter to turn a 40-39 deficit into a 62-45 victory. It was signature Bob Hurley defense that characterized this win as the Friars held the top seeded and top ranked Celtics to just two field goals in the final period.
Can McCarrick beat St. Anthony’s? It will be very tough, but it is not impossible. Just ask Trenton Catholic. The Iron Mikes, which came off a struggle against McCarrick in last year’s Non-Public B South title game, took a St. Anthony’s team that defeated previously unbeaten Paterson Catholic in the Non-Public B North final into three overtimes, and won in a shocker. St. Anthony’s had come off a stunningly easy win over Paterson Catholic, which had current Friars Myles Mack and Kyle Anderson, and appeared to have the Non-Public B State Title and T of C all sown up.
The Friars are in the same position this year. The only difference is last year’s team was more experienced, and had played together longer. This year’s team has some new faces in Mack and Anderson. However, like last year, St. Anthony’s was the underdog in the Non-Public B North final, and came up with a stifiling performance on defense to win the final. While coincidences give McCarrick a chance, the Eagles are going to have to do certain things in order to have a shot at pulling off the upset.
First, the Eagles must get off to a good start. The South Amboy school, which is seeking its first ever state title in six appearances since 1948, cannot afford to fall behind like it did against Trenton Catholic and Gloucester Catholic. St. Anthony’s is too good to let it get out to a double digit lead early. McCarrick, which has turned up the defense in the state tourney, will need to continue that in this game. The front line of Will Thomas, Jumanne McDaniel, and Marques Townes will need to box out, and not give the Friars second chances. The Eagles will need to get good shooting from the perimeter, especially from Jeremy Cruz and Charlie Gorman. Ahmid Williams will need to help Cardy Mac dictate the tempo like he did against Trenton Catholic. The Eagles will need to slow things down, but take chances in transition if they present themselves.
Cardinal McCarrick last played St. Anthony’s a couple years ago, and came within a few points of knocking off the Friars. The last time the two schools played for the Non-Public B State Title was in 1980 when the Friars won. I figure that St. Anthony’s will win, but the Eagles will give them a fight.