St. Mary (Ruth.) did not win a championship on Sunday, but the program has already made history.
Facing Tenafly in the semifinal round of the Bergen County Jamboree at Fairleigh Dickinson, the Gaels picked up a 76-53 victory behind 29 points from senior Matt Kennedy and a double-double of 14 points and 11 rebounds from junior Merrick Olkowski — marking the first time ever that St. Mary is headed to the Bergen final.
“We’re out here trying to make a name for ourselves. It’s been a great run,” Kennedy said.
Ranked No. 15 in the NJ.com Top 20, St. Mary (22-3) leapt to a 23-10 lead through one quarter behind 11 Olkowski points, including a pair of 3-pointers. St. Mary never lost the lead after that, hanging on for a 17th consecutive win.
“We love Merrick. That kid steps up in more ways than one for us constantly,” Kennedy said.
Tenafly guard Adin Goldschneider — averaging 21.4 points per game — exited the game with an injury 13 seconds into Sunday’s showdown. After walking off the floor on his own accord, Goldschneider did not return to the court.
“I felt terrible for Coach [Jeff] Koehler and for Adin himself. It’s so unfortunate, but we have respect to that program and we had to respond,” St. Mary coach Brian Gaccione said.
Kennedy scored the first basket of the game soon after the incident, a 3-pointer to settle into the contest.
This was Kennedy’s 18th game with 20 or more points this season. He dropped in five 3-pointers, and had at least one in each frame.
Olkowski’s double-double was his sixth of the season. It was also the third time the 6-foot-7 forward recorded three 3-pointers.
“The big floor here at FDU really helps us out. We can spread the court with each guy out there,” Gaccione said.
St. Mary knocked in nine trifectas on Sunday. Jake Ellis had one, too as part of an 18-point, six-rebound effort.
This was St. Mary’s first trip to the Bergen semifinals since the 2012-13 campaign. The Gaels have produced a record of .500 or better in every season since then, but this group has risen to the challenge of a statewide schedule to prepare them for a bid in the county championship.
“13 years ago, we were the No. 20 seed. Maybe we shouldn’t have reached the semifinals then,” Gaccione said. “This year is a lot different. We feel like we could win any game. We have the talent and the drive for it.”
No. 12 Tenafly (20-2) was led by Nick Lewin’s 17 points. Nick Baldini and Alex Manalang each had 10 points. The Tigers were the second seed in the tournament, beginning the season with 19 straight wins.
Third-seeded St. Mary will oppose top-seeded and No. 1 Bergen Catholic in the finals on Feb. 20 at FDU.
