SPORTS WRAP
BY WILLIAM HATHAWAY, JR.
After a long and grueling year, the college basketball season has now ended. On April 2, South Carolina beat Connecticut 64-49 to claim the Women’s National Championship. Aliyah Boston put up 11 points and 16 rebounds on her way to being named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. This marked the first time that UConn ever lost in the title game.
The next night, the men’s tournament came to a thrilling end, with North Carolina missing a shot at the buzzer to tie, and giving Kansas a 72-69 win and the National Championship. This second title for coach Bill Self came despite the Jayhawks being down 40-25 at halftime. Despite having an off night, senior guard Ochai Agbaji was named tournament MOP. Before the loss, Carolina and coach Hubert Davis defeated archrival Duke, sending their all-time winning coach Mike Krzyzewski off into retirement with a loss.
Although Kansas won the title, the story of March Madness 2022 was hands down the St. Peter’s Peacocks from Jersey City. On April 1, Jersey City celebrated St Pete’s in front of the entire community with a celebration featuring local marching bands, high school sports teams, and local officials. Mayor Steven Fulop presented the team with keys to the city. Also at the parade was St. Peter’s President Eugene J. Cornacchia, who praised the men’s team for a great season.
Of course, the run that the Peacocks had was bittersweet, not just for falling short of the Final Four, but with Kevin Willard taking the head basketball coaching job at Maryland, that opened up a spot for St. Peter’s coach Shaheen Holloway to take the helm at his alma mater, Seton Hall. Upon being introduced as the Pirates new head coach at Walsh Gym, Holloway was joined by players from his former team, which is not something that happens every day. At the event, Holloway said that he was humbled and felt great to be back home. Former NJ Governor Richard Codey and Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo came out to welcome him back to the Seton Hall program. Holloway played four years at the Hall during his collegiate career, and was once named MVP of the 1996 McDonald’s High School All American Game, in a game that featured the likes of Kobe Bryant, Stephon Marbury, Jermaine O’Neal and fellow NJ native Tim Thomas.
