Blue Devils Follow Up Semifinal Win Over P-Way With Victory Over St. Mary’s of Elizabeth For Championship
UNION, NJ–Using a combination of an attacking and anticipating pressure defense and an up-tempo style offense, the Blue Devils of Newark Central, winners of the West Division, were able to win their semifinal matchup against the lone remaining GMC squad, Piscataway, and then the title by defeating St. Mary’s of Elizabeth.
After defeating P-Way 53-33 in the semifinals, Newark Central had a bit of a battle early on with St. Mary’s of Elizabeth, which had upset the East Division champion, Newark Arts in the other semifinal. The Blue Devils jumped out to an 8-4 lead on the Hilltoppers, but the Elizabeth school was able to get back to within one at 8-7 on a three from the left corner. Newark Central then reeled off the next six points for a seven point lead (14-7) before St. Mary’s answered with four of the next six to close the gap to five.
Both teams then exchanged baskets for an 18-13 Newark Central lead about midway through the first half, but the Hilltoppers would get no closer the rest of the way. The Blue Devils turned up the heat with its 1-2-1-1 full court press, and hoops mayhem ensued, which suited the Brick City school just fine as they began to put the game out of reach with a 14-4 spurt to end the half for a 32-17 lead. Newark Central then scored 22 of the first 39 points of the second half including back to back threes for a 54-34 lead with 7:22 to play.
From there, Newark Central coasted to a 62-42 victory, and the championship of the 2014 Kean University Spring League. The Blue Devils finished the spring at 10-0 while St. Mary’s ended the season at 8-4. Piscataway finished the spring at 6-5.