By Jeremy Schneider and Richard Greco | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
The Boys Basketball NJ.com Top 20 for March. 14: State champs crowned
Six state champions have been crowned, and all of them are still alive as they play in the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions. But The NJ.com Top 20 is back, ranking the 20 best teams in the state of New Jersey. Sectional and state finals have all resulted in some changes in the rankings, including a new team breaking into the poll. Check out the following slideshow to see where your team landed.
Via Twitter
20-Toms River North (28-3)
The Mariners lost a close game to Shawnee in the South Jersey, Group 4 final after beating Cherokee to get there.
Matt Smith | For NJ Advance Media
19-Ewing (26-7)
The Blue Devils lost a close game to Teaneck in the Group 3 final, enough to break Ewing into the NJ.com Top 20 for the first time this season.
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
18-Hunterdon Central (26-4)
The Red Devils won Central Jersey, Group 4 for the first sectional title in program history before losing a very close game to Shawnee in the Group 4 semifinals.
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
17-Shawnee (29-3)
The Renegades played a very strong first half against Linden in the Group 4 final before the Tigers pulled away in the second half. The South Jersey, Group 4 champions return the core of this year’s team, which won the most games of any team in New Jersey this season.
Andrew Koob | For NJ Advance Media
16-Teaneck (26-6)
The Highwaymen downed Ewing in the Group 3 final, winning the crown for a second straight season. Teaneck is the four seed in the Tournament of Champions and will face Group 2 champion West Side in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
15-Ranney (22-5)
Ranney fell to Patrick School in the South Jersey, Non-Public B semifinals after holding off Rutgers Prep in the quarterfinals.
Andrew Koob | For NJ Advance Media
14-West Side (25-6)
The Highwaymen repeated as Group 2 champions with a thrilling win over Camden, the same team they beat last season for the crown. West Side is the five seed in the Tournament of Champions and will face Group 3 champion Teaneck in the Tournament of Champions quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Richard Greco | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
13-St. Augustine (26-3)
The Hermits returned to the Non-Public A final for a third straight season but this time fell to Don Bosco Prep despite an furious comeback attempt in the fourth quarter.
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
12-Bergen Catholic (22-7)
The Crusaders suffered anther heartbreaking loss to Don Bosco Prep in the North Jersey, Non-Public A final after losing a tough one to the Ironmen in the Bergen County Jamboree final as well.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
11-St. Joseph (Mont.) (22-6)
The Green Knights’ season ended with a three-point loss to Don Bosco Prep in the North Jersey, Non-Public A semifinals after besting Delbarton in the quarterfinals.
George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
10-Mater Dei (25-4)
The Seraphs fell to Patrick School in the South Jersey, Non-Public B quarterfinals after besting Gloucester Catholic in the first round. This came after Mater Dei repeated as Shore Conference Tournament champions after having never won the crown before.
Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
9-St. Mary (Eliz.) (19-7)
The Hilltoppers standout season in Union County ended with a loss to Roselle Catholic in the South Jersey, Non-Public B quarterfinals.
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
8-St. Anthony (23-6)
The Friars fell to Hudson Catholic in the North Jersey, Non-Public B final — the first time since 2009 that they failed to take home the trophy. The school’s future is in question, with next year not guaranteed as financial issues have threatened to close the school.
Scott Faytok | For NJ Advance Media
7-Newark East Side (25-4)
The Red Raiders went blow for blow with Linden before falling to the Tigers in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 final for the second straight season. The Essex County Tournament champions graduate some key pieces but return a strong core next season.
Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
6-Hudson Catholic (26-4)
The Hawks bested St. Anthony for the first time since 1976 in the North Jersey, Non-Public B final before falling to Patrick School in the Non-Public B final. Jahvon Quinerly made a strong case to be considered for First Team All-State as he scored 25 points against St. Anthony.
Alexandra Pais | For NJ Advance Media
5-Gill St. Bernard's (25-4)
The Knights were stunned at the buzzer by Roselle Catholic in the South Jersey, Non-Pubic B quarterfinals. The Somerset County Tournament champions return the majority of their team for next season and once again should be a Tournament of Champions contender.
Jeremy Schneider | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
4-Roselle Catholic (18-11)
The Lions stunned Gill St. Bernard’s on a buzzer-beater in the sectional semifinals but fell to Patrick School in the South Jersey, Non-Public B final — the first time they didn’t win the title in four years.
Richard Greco | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
3-Don Bosco Prep (28-1)
The Ironmen held off St. Augustine to win the Non-Public A title for the first time in program history. Don Bosco Prep is the three seed in the Tournament of Champions and will face Group 1 champion Verona in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
Andrew Koob | For NJ Advance Media
2-Linden (26-4)
The Tigers won their fourth Group 4 title in five seasons and sixth overall as they downed Shawnee in the championship game. Linden is the two seed in the Tournament of Champions and will face the winner of Don Bosco Prep and Verona in the semifinals on Friday.
John Munson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
1-Patrick School (27-4)
The Celtics won their first Non-Public B title with a dominant victory over Hudson Catholic in the championship game. Patrick School is the top seed in the Tournament of Champions and will face the winner of Teaneck and West Side in the semifinals on Friday.
Jeremy Schneider may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @J_Schneider. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
Ad Choices