MARCH 9 – SOMERSET, NJ – Thirteen is looking like the Crusaders' lucky number this year.  After winning a record 13^th County Championship, on Monday night BC defeated Seton Hall Prep, securing Oradell's Catholic High School's thirteenth sectional title and it was BC's 2x13th (26^th) win over the Pirates.
     The ten point victory was deceptively close and the Pirates actually took a two-point lead against the Crusaders in the fourth quarter.  BC had built a twelve-point halftime lead, but the Pirates outscored the top seed 19-10 in the third. 
     With 6:27 remaining in the fourth, the Pirates hit a three-pointer from the corner, giving them a 52-50 lead, their first lead of the game.  Junior guard Alex Mazzella dribbled the ball full court and found a lane to get to the hoop and scored to tie the game just 10 seconds later.   An errant shot by the Pirates was knocked out of the bounds and Coach Armstrong quickly made a personnel change, inserting 6'8 Owen Wucherpfennig into the game.
     BC took the ball up court and Mazzella found himself with another opportunity to drive.  That move drew Julius Avent's man just a step and Mazzella quickly kicked it out to the Michigan State commit.  Julius caught the ball and in one perfect motion, delivered a perfect swish on a pro-distance three pointer.  The basket was a dagger in the heart of the Pirates and signaled, with 5:36 remaining, their end was near.  Wucherpfennig came away with a defensive board and after Mazzella grabbed an offensive board, Alex quickly hit Wucherpfennig, who hit a reverse lay-up under the boards, increasing the lead to 5. 
     The Pirates next trip up the court resulted in a loose ball and, you guessed it, Owen Wucherpfennig getting down on the court and grabbing it, calling a time out to maintain possession with 4:10 remaining.  Julius Avent backed his man into the hoop, put a shot up and grabbed a rebound and the put back to continue the BC run to 9 points.
     Seton Hall hit a pair of free throws, quickly answered by Jaden Brown who knocked down one of two on the BC end.  Julius Avent rejected a Pirate shot and BC.  With the score 61-55, Brandon McMillan knocked down a pass and stole the ball, hitting Jaden Brown for a dunk, opening the score to 63-55 with 2:08 remaining.  McMillan grabbed a defensive board the next time down the court and BC brought the ball up the court.  A series of free-throw shooters finishing with McMillan dropping in a pair put BC up 67-55 with 20 seconds to go at Franklin HS and shortly after, BC was heading to its 13^th State Championship Game.
     Top scorers for the Crusaders were Avent and McMillan with 18 points apiece and Jaden Brown who pitched in 16.
BC vs. SHP – The Crusaders won their 26^th game against Seton Hall Prep against 34 losses in the 60 games played between these schools in a series that dates back to February 11, 1960, a 58-42 victory for the Crusaders.  The Crusaders are currently enjoying the longest winning streak they've had against SHP, 6 games dating back to March 2, 2017.  It sets a new standard, passing the 5-game winning streak over the then "Pony Pirates" running from 1977-1981.
 

TEAMS	1	2	3	4	FINAL
Seton Hall Prep (20-7)	13	15	19	10	57
Bergen Catholic (28-3)	23	17	10	17	67

 

PLAYER	2PT	3PT	FTM	FTA	PTS	REB	AST
Julius Avent	6	1	3	4	18	9	0
Brandon McMillan	3	3	3	3	18	6	1
Jaden Brown	2	3	3	6	16	3	4
Alex Mazzella	1	1	1	2	6	2	5
Sean Forbes	1	1	0	0	5	3	1
Owen Wucherpfennig	1	0	0	0	2	2	0
Marcus Brown	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Zack Behrens	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jake Behrens	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Jahlil Owusu	0	0	0	0	2	1	1
Robert Hroncich	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Tyler Schwartz	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Logan Sarza	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Totals:	14	9	10	15	67	26	12

BLOCKS:  Julius Avent (1), Brandon McMillan (1)
STEALS:  Brandon McMillan (2), Jaden Brown (2), Alex Mazzella (1), Owen Wucherpfennig (1)
 
Watch the game here:  https://highschoolsports.nj.com/watch/45269