North 1, Group 1
Monday, 7 p.m.
No. 2 Cresskill (21-7) at No. 1 Verona (22-5)
Outlook: Cresskill shoots for its second sectional title in three years and will have its hands full against the defending champion. The Cougars continue to develop and arrive with an eight-game winning streak. They have good size and balance, with 6-foot-5 junior F Luka Radovich averaging 10 points and 10 rebounds. Junior G Harrison Lucibello contributes seven points and four assists and 6-5 senior F Jack Maltby adds six points and six rebounds. Verona also owns an eight-game winning streak, including three postseason wins over Bergen schools, and the lineup includes senior Zack Zaccone.
North Non-Public B Semi-Final
Monday, 6 p.m.
No. 3 Dwight-Englewood (24-4) at No. 2 Hudson Catholic (24-3)
Outlook: This is actually a sectional semifinal, with the winner advancing to Wednesday’s 8 p.m. final at Rutgers, likely facing top-seeded and defending champion St. Anthony. Dwight-Englewood continues to impress despite its youth, with sophomores Tyson Etienne and Jordan McKoy leading and senior Isaiah Pean, junior Tony DeBellis and sophomore Judah McIntyre providing invaluable intangibles. The Bulldogs reached last year’s sectional final for the first time in program history and must control tempo to challenge heavily favored junior guard Jahvon Quinerly and Hudson Catholic.
