Moorestown Boys Basketball Team Edges Haddonfield In TOC

MOORESTOWN, NJ - A championship season continues for the Moorestown High School boys basketball team.

The Quakers defeated Haddonfield, 60-59, in the first round of the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions Wednesday night in Toms River, nj.com reports.

Jagger Zrada led the way for Moorestown with 23 points, six rebounds, an assist and a blocked shot. Nick Cartwright-Atkins just missed out on a double double when he put down 13 points and grabbed nine rebounds to go with four assists, three steals and two blocked shots.

Dan Fleming had a game-high 25 points to lead Haddonfield. He also had five rebounds, an assist and two blocked shots. Mike DePersia had 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and six steals.

Moorestown (28-5) will face Ranney in the second round on Friday, March 15, 7 p.m. at Toms River North. The winner plays the winner of the game between Bergen Catholic and Newark East Side in the championship game on Sunday. To view the full bracket, visit nj.com.

Moorestown is in the Tournament of Champions after winning its first state championship in 60 years. Moorestown won the NJSIAA State Group 3 championship with a 58-44 win over Ramapo behind 20 points from Zrada and 12 points and 13 rebounds from Cartwright-Atkins.

Moorestown advanced to the state final by defeating Wall, 64-44, in the state semifinals. Cartwright-Atkins lead the way with 23 points, 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals and a blocked shot in that one.

Moorestown defeated Mainland, 61-43, to win the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 3 championship. Zrada lead the way with 16 points in that one, followed by Cartwright-Atkins with 14 and Vinnie Caprarola with 11.

Moorestown advanced to the championship game with a 52-43 win over Timber Creek in the semifinals. Zrada lead the way with 23 points, including five three-pointers, in the win. Cartwright-Atkins was next with 12 points.

In the quarterfinals, Moorestown defeated Delsea, 71-48. Cartwright-Atkins lead the way in that one with 21 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, three steals and a blocked shot. Evan Francisco and Akhil Giri each had 14 points for Moorestown.

Moorestown opened the tournament with a 77-39 win over Deptford. Zrada lead the way with 22 points, followed by Cartwright-Atkins with 12 and Logan Jagodzinski with 10 points.

Haddonfield wraps up a 31-2 season in which it captured its second consecutive state championship, and seventh overall. Drew Gavranich lead the way with 17 points, five rebounds and two assists. DePersia had 16 points, one rebound, three assists and a steal in the win.

Haddonfield advanced to the state final by defeating Manasquan, 53-43, in the state semifinals. Aiden Blake led the way with 16 points in that one. Gavranich had 10.

Last week, Haddonfield defeated Camden, 69-67, to win the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 title. Fleming led the way with 28 points, followed by DePersia with 19.

Haddonfield was in the championship game following a 51-30 win over West Deptford in the semifinals. Ben Cerrato lead the Bulldawgs with 13 points in that one.

In the quarterfinals, Haddonfield downed Pennsauken Tech, 67-40,behind 18 points from Fleming.

Haddonfield opened the tournament with a 70-33 win over Barnegat. DePersia had 16 points in the win.