Is that time of year again, when teams battle it out in its respective New Jersey high school county tournaments.
On Saturday, host Chatham squares off against Kinnelon at 5:00 p.m., in the first round of the Morris County Tournament (MCT).
Here are how the two squads stack up against each other.
Chatham
Since losing three straight games in mid-January, the Cougars have responded with three consecutive wins of their own, to improve their record to 10-6 (3-3 in NJAC – American).
Talented junior guard Riley Allen leads the club with 207 points (12.93 ppg) and 89 rebounds. Plus, Allen is a determined defender and intense competitor, perfectly fitting the mold and mindset of a Joe Gaba-coached squad.
Then, there is a group of solid, young players, including freshman guard Ella Kreuzer, who has drained 175 points, grabbed 49 rebounds, dished out 33 assists, and made 27 steals thus far.
Next, sophomore Addison Barrett, who has scored 134 points and pulled down 47 boards, has proven to be a dependable guard, as well as freshman Mia Semioli, who has dropped in 123 points and collected 49 rebounds.
Defensive is the name of Chatham’s game. When it wins, it is most likely due to playing its trademark, relentless defense.
Kinnelon (13-4, 8-0 in NJAC – Independence)
The Colts are 3-2 in their last five contests.
Junior Olivia Aliotta paces Kinnelon with 237 points (13.94 ppg) and has grabbed 49 boards and made 19 thefts in 17 tilts.
A pair of seniors–Kristyn Carroll and Elle Tharby–have scored 206 and 181 points, respectively, with Carroll corralling 53 rebounds and making 28 steals. Also, Tharby has made a team-leading 37 thefts while sophomore Katherine Donaldson has grabbed a squad-best 66 boards.
— Jerry Del Priore
Photo of Chatham guard Riley Allen by Jerry Del Priore.
Brooklyn Sports World/NY NJ Sports World 