Paterson Charter Headed to the State Group 1 Championship Game

BLOOMFIELD — Marquis Harris lost his voice. Paterson Charter won its respect.

Harris walked out of the locker room almost speechless after sending the Lions to their first state final. The Lions raced past a bigger and more proven University team, 65-50, on Wednesday to earn a spot in the Group 1 championship.

The size difference was apparent from the start, but the Lions relied on their speed and shooting to advance. Troy Medlock sank four 3’s for Paterson Charter and Harris, a 5-foot-6 guard, went for 11 points in the win.

“Big don’t mean nothing,” coach Jerry Wimberly said. “They’re very talented, don’t get my words twisted. But you got to go out there and fight and play. I’m a strong believer that David slayed Goliath. That’s what we did.”

The Lions (27-4) will face either Penns Grove or Burlington City on Sunday at Phillipsburg. The NJSIAA moved the finals to Warren County, after Rutgers University backed out due to coronavirus concerns.

Whatever happens this weekend, Paterson Charter can look back at this season as its best ever. It’s the first time the small Passaic County school has won a sectional title.

“It means hard work pays off,” Wimberly said. “A lot of these kids have been here for four years. It took a while to buy in. They figured out that I’m a little crazy, but they figured out that I’m crazy for some good. They bought in to what we wanted them to do.”

Turning point

Paterson Charter took over the game in the second quarter, turning a two-point hole into a comfortable halftime lead.

The Lions heated up from behind-the-arc and knocked down five 3’s in a 20-9 run. Wimberly’s 2-3 zone helped keep the lanky Phoenix from getting in the paint.

“We were like, we’ve got to run them out the gym,” Harris said.

“They might have height, but we’ve got speed,” Medlock said.