Colonia pulls upset to reach Group final
Patriots defeat top-seed Rahway on way to final against Scotch Plains
BY SHAWN LAYTON Staff Writer
After winning a nail-biter over Union Hill in the NJSIAANorth 2 Group III quarterfinals, the Colonia High School boys basketball team moved another step closer to defending its sectional title with a shocking 61-57 victory over state powerhouse and No. 1 seed Rahway. The No. 4-seed Patriots squared off against No. 3 Scotch Plains-Fanwood in yesterday's final.

"Brandon Hall probably played the best game of his high school career,"Colonia head coach Chris Chiera said. "He's such an excellent leader, and he was phenomenal against Rahway."

Hall, one of the area's best guards, played the entire 32 minutes against Rahway, battling fatigue and tenacious Rahway defenders the entire second half. He finished with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Most importantly, his ability to convert his free throws late in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference between a trip to the sectional finals and a trip home.

The game remained tight the entireway, with both teams ending the first quarter with 15 points. Just when it appeared the two teams would enter the locker room at the half tied again, Colonia's Jordan Edmonds scored four of his eight points just prior to the half to give Colonia a 32-28 lead.

"Both teams played pretty well in that first half," Chiera said. "Rahway came out of the break and scored the first five points of the third quarter to go on top.We recovered quickly and eventually built a seven-point lead in the fourth quarter."

Also coming up big for the Patriots in the second half was J.J. D'Amico and Mike Nweme.Nweme finished the contestwith 10 points and 11 rebounds while D'Amico led the team with 16 points.

"Mike Nweme made a big basket late in the game and J.J. made a number of big plays," Chiera said. "J.J. has been strong in the clutch this week."

D'Amico's 19-point performance against Union Hill in the quarterfinals was a key factor in his team's advancing to face Rahway. The meeting with Union Hill was a rematch of last year's sectional finals, which Colonia won after double overtime.

"We playedwell and even built a 10-point lead before letting it dwindle," Chiera said. "Jordan Edmonds hit an amazing shot from the baseline with about 40 seconds to go to tie the game.Wewere able to get some stops, and Brandon hit his free throws. It was an exciting game."

In the other semifinalmatch-up between Scotch Plains-Fanwood and Mendham, Scotch Plains got 31 points from Brian Dougher to advance to the title game.

"Dougher is a real tough player, and Scotch Plains is a well-coached team," Chiera said. "The teams match up pretty similar, so it should be a good game."

The two teams met yesterday in Plainfield to determine the North 2 Group III champion.