ENGLEWOOD – Dwight-Englewood made Jalen Carey’s return to his former school a season-ending trip.
The Bulldogs knocked off Carey and Immaculate Conception (Montclair), 58-53, in a North Non-Public B boys basketball tournament semifinal on Saturday afternoon.
Dwight-Englewood fought off every run by the Lions and withstood a game-high 24 points by Carey, a sophomore guard who surpassed 1,000 career points in the second quarter.
“I think there were a little butterflies going in, I’m sure, and I think [Carey’s return] added incentive for our guys maybe to compete,” said Dwight-Englewood coach Eli Goldberger.
Sixth-seeded Dwight-Englewood (23-6) will face top-seeded St. Anthony or No. 4 Queen of Peace in Thursday’s North Non-Public B final at the Rutgers Athletic Center.
Dwight-Englewood defeated No. 7 Montclair Immaculate (19-10) with a 2-3 zone that forced turnovers and limited everyone not named Carey to fewer than 10 points. The Bulldogs also outhustled the Lions for loose rebounds and made big shots.
