Here are highlights from the action in the 2017 NJSIAA Tournament of Champions semifinal between third seeded and Non-Public A State Champion, Don Bosco Prep, and second seeded and Group 4 State Champion, Linden at Pine Belt Arena in Toms River, New Jersey.
Linden jumped out to a 8-6 first quarter lead before Don Bosco responded with a 5-2 run to take an 11-10 lead. The Tigers replied with a 7-0 run to take a 17-11 lead. The Ironmen then closed out the first half by scoring 9 of the last 12 points to knot the game at 20-20 at the intermission.
In the second half, Bosco took control with a 17-14 showing in the third for a 37-34 lead, and then went up by as many as 11 points at 55-44 with a little over a minute remaining before Linden rallied with a 14-8 run that included two threes from Marcellus Livingston and three FTs by Khalief Crawford to close the gap to 63-58 with 16.2 seconds left.
Linden was unable to get any closer though as Don Bosco Prep hung on for the 65-58 victory. Marcellus Earlington led the way for the Ironmen with a monster double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds while Ron Harper added 17 points and 13 boards. Chris Paul chipped in with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and a steal.