JACKSON, NJ–On Wednesday afternoon, third ranked in NJ and top seeded St. Joseph’s took on third seeded Paul VI of Haddonfield in the Championship Game of the 2012 NJSIAA Non-Public A South State Tournament at Jackson Liberty High School. In a hostile environment, St. Joseph’s trailed 37-33 with 6:02 remaining, but freshman Karl Towns sparked a decisive 15-0 run with a three pointer while being fouled for an unconventional four point play at the 5:53 mark, and the Falcons went on to outscore the Eagles by an 18-4 margin the rest of the way for a 51-41 victory. The win gave St. Joe’s its fourth sectional title all time, and first since 1999. Below is play-by-play from the contest.
First Quarter
1:33–PVI–timeout–STJ on an 9-0 run sparked by a three from Quenton DeCosey followed by layups by Danny Brix and Karim Awad, and then capped by a jumper from the top of the key by Brix. Â Prior to that, there were six lead changes. Â So far, DeCosey has 6 points on a three point play and a three, Awad and Brix have four, and Long has a three. Â STJ leads 17-9.
10.8–PVI–fouled–makes both FTs for a 17-11 STJ lead.
0.0–STJ–DeCosey three attempt does not get off in time.
STJ–two threes in quarter
PVI–only one three–no field goals over the final 3:30 of first quarter.
Second Quarter
7:12–STJ–despite offensive rebounds by Awad and DeCosey–Falcons can’t score as DeCosey and Towns miss threes while Brix misses jumper.
6:46–PVI–fouled on layup attempt by Towns–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 17-12 STJ lead.
6:13–PVI–dunk for a 17-14 STJ lead.
6:07–STJ–30 sec timeout.
5:55–STJ–Brix to Karl Towns for 10 foot baseline jumper from left side for a 19-14 lead.
5:36–PVI–hits three pointer for a 19-17 STJ lead.
4:49–PVI–rattles in jumper in the paint for a 19-19 tie.
3:40–STJ–traveling.
3:15–PVI–misses shot.
2:30–PVI–turnover.
1:47–STJ–Towns lumbers in from the top of the key for layup, and  a 21-19 lead.
37.0–STJ–Towns splashes three pointer from right wing for a 24-19 lead.
26.2–PVI–fouled–Towns–2nd foul–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 24-20 STJ lead.
22.0–PVI–steal for layup and a 24-22 STJ lead.
16.3–STJ–5 sec violation.
3.1–PVI–turnover.
0.0–STJ–DeCosey heave from midcourt goes off backrim and backboard…STJ leads 24-22.
Towns–scores all 7 STJ points in 2nd on 3 FG including a three pointer.
STJ–1st half scoring
Towns–7 points, DeCosey–6 points, Awad–4 points, Brix–4 points, Long–3 points.
STJ–3 treys in first half–PVI–2 threes.
STJ–student section outnumbered by PVI student section–The Flock
STJ–spring sports not allowed to let players out of practice for game–students tried to get on buses, but some of them were being repaired.
PVI–went 4:23 of the 2nd without a point.
Third  Quarter
6:47–STJ–Towns blocks shot.
6:20–PVI–gets steal, and goes in for layup to tie game at 24-24.
6:06–STJ–travelling.
5:42–STJ–Awad swipes steal, and goes in for layup and a 26-24 lead.
5:20–PVI–gets basket for a 26-26 tie.
4:41–STJ–Towns picks up 3rd foul.
4:19–PVI–scores on jump hook for 28-26 lead.
3:55–STJ–DeCosey scores on drive to tie game at 28-28.
2:47–STJ–DeCosey fouled–misses both FTs.
1:42–PVI–swipes steal, and goes in for one handed dunk to take a 30-28 lead.
1:30–STJ–Brix pushes ball upcourt, and dishes to Awad for layup and a 30-30 tie.
51.5–PVI–fouled on shot–makes both FTs for a 32-30 lead.
43.7–STJ–Awad–fouled on floor.
39.6–PVI–draws foul after blocking Long shot, and getting rebound.
10.0–PVI–gets steal, but misses shot.
0.0–PVI–gets steal again, but misses shot at buzzer. Â PVI leads 32-30 after three.
STJ scoring–Awad–4 points, DeCosey–2 points.
Fourth Quarter
7:52–PVI–fouled–makes both FTs fora 34-30 lead.
7:28–STJ–DeCosey gets kind bounce on shot for a 34-32 PVI lead.
7:11–STJ–Towns blocks shot.
7:07–PVI–hustles back to prevent DeCosey from scoring.–STJ–30 sec timeout.
6:47–STJ–DeCosey goes to the basket, draws foul, and makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 34-33 PVI lead.
6:23–STJ–Towns blocks shot.
6:17–PVI–stops DeCosey from scoring.
6:05–PVI–hits three pointer for a 37-33 lead.–Curry–PVI–James Madison.
6:02–STJ–timeout.
5:53–STJ–Towns three pointer from left wing and foul for unconventional four point play, and a 37-37 tie.
5:15–PVI–blocks layup attempt.
4:58–STJ–Towns blocks shot attempt.
4:48–STJ–DeCosey fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 38-37 lead.
4:40–PVI–throws ball away–turnover.
4:20–STJ–DeCosey–scores on basket for a 40-37 lead.
3:30–STJ–Brix–layup for a 42-37 lead.
2:41–STJ–Long fouled–makes both FTs for a 44-37 lead.
2:26–STJ–Towns blocks shot, and forces jump ball.
2:02–STJ–Brix scores easy layup for a 46-37 lead.
1:51–PVI–timeout.
1:37–STJ–Towns gets piece on jumper by PVI–STJ–Brix
1:23–STJ–Brix fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 47-37 lead.
1:06–STJ–timeout after DeCosey blocks shot, and Towns wrestles away rebound.
59.3–STJ–Brix–fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 48-37 lead.
40.3–PVI–scores on follow for a 48-39 STJ–calls 30 sec timeout.
36.3–STJ–Long fouled–makes 1 of 2 FTs for a 49-39 lead.
22.2–PVI–calls full timeout after putback for a 49-41 STJ lead.
21.2–STJ–Awad–fouled in STJ backcourt–makes both ends of bonus for a 51-41 lead.
0..0–STJ–after PVI misses chance to score–Brix runs out clock for the 51-41 victory.
STJ–fourth sectional title–first since 1999.
STJ–4th quarter scoring–DeCosey–6 points, Brix–6 points, Towns–4 points, Long–3 points, and Awad–2 points.
STJ–scoring for game–DeCosey–14 points, Towns–11 points, Brix–10 points, Awad–10 points, Long–6 points.