By William Hathaway, Jr.
The Tournament of Champions is here, providing some local March Madness for high school basketball fans. Among those taking part are the University High School girls basketball team. UHS is having a great season, and will have played Rutgers Prep by the time you read this.
Whichever way the game turns, the Lady Phoenix have stormed through the postseason, beating Shore in the Group 1 final 66-31, North Warren in the semifinals 57-39, dropping Secaucus 57-27, and scorching North Arlington 92-22.
In boys’ basketball action, Camden exorcised the Central High School Blue Devils in the true Group 2 state championship 93-52. Leading Camden was DJ Wagner with 20 points, while Jakail Irby led Central with 16 points and 10 rebounds along with Aaron Bradshaw’s 14 points and 11 rebounds. Despite the loss, Central had a great season with a 27-6 overall record and a record of 12-3 in the Super Essex Conference.
Of course, the big tournament is on everyone’s mind, and the NCAA field has been set, with Gonzaga being named the overall #1 seed. Meanwhile, Seton Hall, Rutgers, and St. Peter’s all made the tournament, with RU being one of the final four to make it.
In NBA news, two New Jersey natives went off for 60 points, as Minnesota’s Karl-Anthony Towns set a franchise record at home against the Spurs on March 14, while Kyrie Irving did the same for the Nets on the road at the Magic the very next night.
In other news, now that the players and owners of Major League Baseball have come to an agreement, free agency and roster moves have been coming left and right. Most notably, the Yankees traded Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela to the Blue Jays for Josh Donaldson and others. The move would seem to indicate that firing former manager Joe Girardi to keep Sanchez happy was not a good one, and that GM Brian Cashman should now be on the hot seat.
Finally, in NFL news, Tom Brady decided to un-retire and rejoin the Buccaneers.
