Paul VI boys' basketball grab first sectional crown in over three decades
The Paul VI High School boys’ basketball team captured its first sectional title since 1988 and accomplished the feat in dominating fashion with a 53-35 victory over Union Catholic in the South Jersey Non-Public A final at Lenape on Monday night.
The Eagles knocked off fourth-seeded St. Joseph-Metuchen, top-seeded Christian Brothers Academy and second-seeded Union Catholic in succession en route to the title.
Paul VI, which improved to 22-9, will face Don Bosco Prep (28-3) on Friday at Rutgers University. The Eagles have won three state titles in their history in 1980, 1983 and 1988.
Judah Hidalgo delivered a game-high 15 points for the Eagles, who raced to a 19-10 lead in the first quarter. Torren Greene chipped in 14 points, Isaiah Thomas added 13 points and seven rebounds while Adriel Fred contributed six points and 10 rebounds for the winners.
South Non-Public B
St. Rose 82, Bishop Eustace 40. Searching for their first sectional title since 1999, the Crusaders surrendered a 22-9 run to start the game and never recovered en route to a lopsided loss in the final.
Bishop Eustace, which advanced to the title game with wins over Trenton Catholic and Gloucester Catholic, finished its season at 13-17.
Braydon Killeen tallied 10 points and Dillon Adomanis chipped in eight for Bishop Eustace.
St. Rose's Matthew Hodge led all scorers with 26 points.
GIRLS
Paul VI wasn't as fortunate on the girls' side as the Eagles were held to three points in the second half en route to a 44-26 loss to top-seeded Red Bank Catholic.
Paul VI, which lost for the first time since Jan. 15 and snapped a 15-game winning streak, finished its season at 23-5.
Non-Public B
Rutgers Prep 63, St. Rose 42
Tom McGurk is a regional sports reporter for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 30 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him at (856) 486-2420 or email tmcgurk@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Paul VI boys' basketball earned first sectional title since 1988.
