Seton Hall Prep won its 21st Essex County Tournament title on Saturday, defeating St. Benedict”s with a final score of 68-63 in West Orange. The Pirates, ranked 15th, executed an impressive third quarter that propelled them to victory over the 14th-ranked Gray Bees.
Junior guard Anthony Gonzalez led the Pirates with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists. He was close to reaching a career milestone of 1,000 points during the game. In a pivotal moment of the third quarter, Gonzalez opted for a pass instead of taking a contested shot, assisting teammate Daniel Beazer for an easy basket that extended their lead to five with just over four minutes left in the period.
Seton Hall Prep”s third quarter was characterized by selflessness and teamwork, allowing them to build a 14-point advantage. “Anthony is about winning. He wants to win at all costs,” said head coach Sterling Gibbs. “Whatever it is needed to win, Anthony”s willing to do it.” This commitment to team success was evident among all players on the court.
Gonzalez emphasized the importance of teamwork, stating, “I don”t care if I score zero points and have 10 assists. I just want to win today.” His teammates echoed this sentiment, with senior forward Alex Ante and junior guard Avery George embracing the challenge of facing taller opponents with enthusiasm.
The Pirates showcased remarkable offensive skills, hitting 11 of 17 three-pointers compared to St. Benedict”s 6 of 21. Sincere-Amen Ra contributed significantly to the team”s success, scoring a team-high 22 points, including five three-pointers. “We knew our shots were gonna go and we knew we were gonna execute,” Ra remarked. “It was defense, you know, playing hard, playing more aggressive.”
While St. Benedict”s had standout performances from freshman guard MJ Postell, who scored 24 points, and junior forwards Daniel Hinkov and Malik Sonko, who added nine points each, they struggled to keep pace with the Pirates” offensive onslaught. The final score was somewhat misleading, as Postell tallied seven points in the last moments after Seton Hall had established a substantial lead.
Gibbs noted that the team”s defensive strategy, including a second-half zone defense, was crucial in mitigating St. Benedict”s size advantage. “It just gave them a different look and kind of threw a monkey wrench into what they were doing,” Gibbs explained. This strategic shift allowed the Pirates to secure rebounds and effectively finish plays.
With this victory, Seton Hall Prep secured consecutive ECT titles and strengthened its position in local high school basketball, far surpassing rivals like East Orange and Shabazz/South Side, who each have eight championships. Gonzalez, now with 997 career points, and his teammates are looking forward to upcoming games, focusing primarily on maintaining their defensive intensity.
As the Pirates prepare to face Newark Tech next, they remain optimistic about their chances. “We just prepared the right way,” Gonzalez stated. “We felt like we owed them and we got one back,” referring to their earlier loss to St. Benedict”s this season.
