At the end of the winter, 20 teams will be crowned sectional champions.
NJ Advance Media takes a look at each section and breakdown down with the title races looks like in each. This breakdown includes teams’ strengths and their best players as well as how the power points stack up.
2018 sectional champion: Cresskill
2017 sectional champion: Emerson Boro
2016 sectional champion: New Milford
2015 sectional champion: Hasbrouck Heights
2014 sectional champion: Midland Park
Cresskill pulled out a thrilling upset in the sectional final year ago to win the title, but this team is the frontrunner this time around. Colleen McQuillen is averagining 22.9 points per game and the sophomore has proven that she is one of the better finishers in the state. Courtney Madison and Sophie Green are two more players who can score and rebound. Jennifer Garcia is a guard who has been strong on defense this season for Cresskill.
Contenders
Park Ridge just picked up a win over Midland Park and with the way this team is playing, it’s starting to look like a serious contender in this section. Shannon Burns leads the team with 18 points per game. Burns has four double-doubles this season, including two in wins over Emerson Boro and Midland Park.
Midland Park is young and rebuilding, but it still has shown signs of a squad that is capable of going on a run at the end of the year. Junior Gillian Luberoff is leading the team so far, using her height to make plays on both ends of the floor.
Butler won six straight games to start the year and Kaysey Scott led the way with her ability to hit shots from beyond the arc. Emerson Boro is two years removed from winning the sectional title and hoping to be in the mix again this winter. North Warren and Hasbrouck Heights have also started out strong with hopes of getting into the title race here in this section.
Cresskill (8-2) 198
Park Ridge (7-1) 134
North Warren (6-2) 115
Emerson Boro (4-5) 103
Midland Park (5-5) 101
Butler (7-1) 97
Wallkill Valley (4-3) 96
Hasbrouck Heights (5-3) 93
Waldwick (6-3) 87
Passaic Charter (8-1) 77
Pompton Lakes (4-4) 70
Saddle Brook (6-3) 70
Wood-Ridge (4-5) 67
Cedar Grove (3-4) 60
Hopatcong (3-7) 58
Boonton (2-6) 45
Kinnelon (1-8) 43
Wallington (0-9) 38
New Milford (0-7) 35
Bergen Charter (1-8) 34
Bogota (0-8) 32
Paterson Charter (0-7) 24
2018 sectional champion: University
2017 sectional champion: University
2016 sectional champion: University
2015 sectional champion: New Providence
2014 sectional champion: Shabazz
University has run the show in this section the past three years and the Essex County squad is once again the favorite to win it all in North 2, Group 1. Senior Nyshaya Holmes is stepping up this winter and leading the Phoenix with a veteran presence. Sophomores Tara Johnson and Tanisha Tucker have also played well and taken on bigger roles for one of the state’s top teams.
This could be the year that everything comes together for Arts. Seniors Fredrayah Heyward, Nyasia Bryant, Alethea Bearfield and Alani Jones are the leaders for this squad and that core is looking to lead the Jaguars to a championship. Arts gave University a game in the Newark Public Schools Tournament final and good see the Phoenix again in the sectional title game.
New Providence is the last team other than University to win this section and the Pioneers have the look of a team that can make a push to the sectional final once again this winter. Hoboken has been tough to beat with Aiyana Peoples and Zoe Mattessich pushing the pace for the Hudson County squad. Weehawken is another team to keep an eye on and its only loss so far came against Hoboken. Brearley could also make some noise in North 2, Group 1.
Hoboken (8-0) 134
Glen Ridge (7-3) 127
University (7-2) 127
New Providence (5-4) 126
Weehawken (7-1) 120
Belvidere (5-4) 119
Arts (5-4) 113
Brearley (6-1) 112
Whippany Park (4-4) 90
Dunellen (4-5) 89
Ridgefield (6-2) 89
Roselle Park (3-5) 84
Dayton (3-5) 69
Palisades Park (5-4) 54
University Charter (1-7) 44
Technology (3-2) 43
Shabazz (1-6) 41
North Arlington (1-6) 36
Becton (2-7) 35
Warren Tech (0-8) 29
Weequahic (2-3) 29
People’s Prep (2-2) 27
Hoboken Charter (0-6) 10
2018 sectional champion: High Point
2017 sectional champion: High Point
2016 sectional champion: High Point
2015 sectional champion: Westwood
2014 sectional champion: Newton
Newton is on a great run right now, playing really good basketball and making a case as the top team in this section. High Point has won the last three titles, but the tide could be turning. This has been a true team effort for Newton and the Braves looked really good in a win over Chatham. Maddie Gore, Madison Leonardo, Kaitlyn Lynch, Jade Luciani, Emily Pappas and Olivia Buckley make up a core of players who have played inspired basketball so far.
High Point is the three-time defending champion in this section. Even though the team has a new look this year and needs to retool, High Point still has players to count on with Brittany Hill out there with Morgan and Madison Smolen.
Rachel Bussanich averages a double-double for Westwood and with her on the court, the Cardinals are going to have a fighting chance come playoff time. This team is in position right now to snag the top speed in this section.
Demarest is a team who can really score with Dayna Tirado and Meadow Garcia out there. Allison McBride, Keira Marks and Ashley Davison make up a good combo for Lakeland and their ability to score is why the Lancers are going to be in the mix here. Hawthorne‘s Heather Bertollo is another player to keep an eye on in this section.
Westwood (6-3) 162
Newton (7-0) 158
Demarest (6-3) 136
Hawthorne (7-2) 127
Lakeland (6-4) 122
High Point (5-4) 120
Kittatinny (5-2) 113
Glen Rock (5-5) 106
Morris Tech (5-4) 103
Ramsey (5-4) 103
Jefferson (3-7) 99
Dumont (4-5) 97
Pascack Hills (5-4) 93
Mahwah (4-3) 89
Vernon (5-3) 82
Manchester Regional (4-5) 81
Pequannock (3-6) 73
Lenape Valley (3-5) 71
Mountain Lakes (4-6) 71
Lodi (2-6) 52
Elmwood Park (2-5) 47
Sussex Tech (1-9) 44
Dover (0-11) 42
2018 sectional champion: Newark Tech
2017 sectional champion: Hanover Park
2016 sectional champion: Newark Tech
2015 sectional champion: Newark Tech
2014 sectional champion: Weequahic
Newark Tech has owned this section recently, winning three titles in the last four years. The only reason Newark Tech didn’t win all four is because it played in Central, Group 2 for a year. Mariah Perez is a game-changer and her ability to score in the paint is a big reason why the Terriers are the frontrunner once again. Zianna Goda and Nia Mallette have been playmakers as well as the guard position.
When Lincoln is at full strength, the Lions are one of the better teams in the state. Daniya Darby is a dominant player and averages 20.8 points per game, but she’s missed the last few games with an injury. When she’s on the court, Darby makes a really good 1-2 punch along with Alaisha Mumford.
Secaucus is another team with a dynamic duo. Damaris Rodriguez and Amanda Ulrich can really score and with those two on the court, Secaucus is going to be able to keep up in the playoffs. The Patriots played in Group 1 last year and will need to adjust to its new section.
Hanover Park plays a good brand of basketball and they’re on the right track. Morris County is full of good competition and that will help prepare Hanover Park for the playoffs. Rutherford and Ridgefield Park are teams to keep an eye on as well.
Lincoln (8-2) 182
Secaucus (8-1) 177
Ridgefield Park (7-2) 159
Rutherford (8-0) 157
Hanover Park (6-1) 152
Newark Tech (7-2) 142
Madison (6-3) 108
Bernards (5-3) 107
Verona (7-1) 107
Lyndhurst (5-5) 105
Hackettstown (5-3) 85
Fort Lee (4-4) 82
Caldwell (3-3) 78
West Side (4-2) 71
Harrison (5-5) 66
Leonia (3-4) 63
METS Charter (2-6) 50
Newark Central (2-4) 43
Parsippany (1-6) 43
McNair (1-8) 35
Science Park (1-6) 28
North Star Academy (1-5) 14
2018 sectional champion: Saddle River Day
2017 sectional champion: Queen of Peace
2016 sectional champion: Saddle River Day
2015 sectional champion: Lodi Immaculate
2014 sectional champion: Morris Catholic
Saddle River Day is loaded. Michigan commit Michelle Sidor is one of the best scorers in state history and she’s on pace to finish her career with over 3,000 points. Saddle River Day also has one of the best rebounders in the state in LIU-Brooklyn commit Jenna Jordan, who also can carry some of the load on offense. In a week, this team will also have Duke commit Jaida Patrick and Arizona State Sydnei Caldwell in the lineup. Caldwell’s younger sister, Saniah, is only a freshman, but the rookie has looked good so far along with fellow freshman Cierra Pearson. Senior Jaayden Lafontant and junior Jordan Janowski have also played valuable minutes this season. In the past, this team has been short on depth. But this year Saddle River Day has a lot more to work with and that’s why it looks to be bound for the Tournament of Champions.
Bridget Monaghan is one of the best players in Morris County and as a senior leader, she has Morristown-Beard off to a strong start. The senior is a catalyst for an offense that also relies on Addisyn Ibrahim, Olivia Omelczuk and Erin Martin. When this team is shooting well, it can knock teams off their feet. Morristown-Beard’s schedule is going to get harder as the year goes along, but this team looks legit.
Chatham transfer Hannah Kelly has been a solid addition for St. Elizabeth and is playing really well alongside her sister, Courtney. Quinn Galligan, Jane Howard and Elizabeth Kilgore have also played leading roles. This team will also get two more additions from Chatham when the Barry twins, Ashlynn and Caitlin, become eligible next week. St. Elizabeth has played well so far this season, but we still haven’t seen the true identity of this team. Once everyone is up to speed and ready to go, this Morris County squad will be a handful.
Morris Catholic has plenty of height and that will be its biggest advantage later in the year. Emma Duerr and Danielle Mills can go down low and give teams fits and that’s how Morris Catholic was able to beat Bound Brook a few weeks back. Add in players like Fey Idera and Mimi Rubino and it’s not surprising to know Morris Catholic kept stride with West Orange in a tight loss. Billy Lovett build a good program when he was coaching the East Orange boys team and now the former St. Anthony guard is looking to do the same with the Morris Catholic girls squad.
The Patrick School needs to right the ship and if it does, this team will be a contender at the end of the year. All the talent is there for the Celtics, they just need to get it all to gel. Patrick School needs to get itself in the win column and rip off a winning streak to get back into a rhythm.
Saddle River Day (10-1) 216
Morristown-Beard (9-0) 172
St. Elizabeth (8-1) 151
Morris Catholic (6-3) 149
Montclair Immaculate (6-3) 138
Lodi Immaculate (6-3) 129
Benedictine (7-3) 119
Marist (5-5) 105
St. Mary (Ruth.) (8-1) 101
Eastern Christian (4-5) 93
Villa Walsh (4-5) 89
Newark Academy (2-5) 64
Patrick School (1-7) 47
Golda Och (2-3) 39
Mary Help of Christians (2-4) 30
Cristo Rey (formerly Christ the King) (1-6) 24
Hawthorne Christian (0-7) 24
Montclair Kimberley (0-2) 7
