TCA captures first sectional title in eight years
JACKSON >> When it wants to control a game, the Trenton Catholic Academy girls’ basketball team looks to its defense first.
But Wednesday in the NJSIAA Non-Public B South final, the topseeded Mikes used a sharp shooting offense, plus plenty of excellent ball control from junior guard Maniya Custis to hold off second-seeded Gloucester Catholic, 74-64.
In doing so, TCA won its first sectional title in eight years. Head coach Bob Fusik’s 25-3 team advances to its first NonPublic B state final since the school won back-to-back crowns in 2010 and 2011.
The Mikes will go after the school’s sixth overall crown when it plays Saddle River Day at 5 p.m. Saturday at the RWJ Barnabas Health Arena on the campus of Toms River High North. The Colonial Rebels improved to 26-2 by defeating Morris Catholic, 76-53, in the Non-Public B North final Wednesday night.
Known for its ability to shut team’s down with its defense, TCA surprised some in attendance at Jackson Liberty High Wednesday by knocking down eight of a season-high 13 3-point field goals in the first half to open a 38-24 halftime edge.
“They shot the ball tremendously,” Rams head coach Lisa Gedaka said of the Mikes. “They got way too many clean, open looks in the first half.”
Gloucester Catholic (24-4) adjusted at the start of the third quarter and reeled off seven consecutive points. But, with the lead down to 38-31, Custis hit a 3-pointer, then got a steal at the other end of the floor, to boost TCA’s advantage back to 10 points, 41-31.
“Yes, that 3-pointer was big,” Custis said. “When they made their run, everyone was riled up in our timeout. That shot calmed us down and gave us more confidence.”
The Rams only got the lead under double digits once more when Duke University-bound senior guard Azana Baines hit two free throws with six minutes left in the quarter. However, senior Habiba Elgizawy hit a trey to ignite a 9-0 burst which gave the Mikes a 50-33 lead when Custis hit a 17-foot jump shot with 4:30 left in the stanza.
“I tried to focus on my composure. I tried to be a leader for the team,” Custis, a Camden native, said. “I knew a lot about them (from when she played at Paul VI), but I wasn’t going to be friendly with them. I tried to help us play with poise.”
Custis went on to be the game’s leading scorer with 25 points, 10 of those scored in the third quarter. Things got quite interesting when 6-foot-1 Baines was switched to cover the 5-3 Custis.
Custis’ ball control and poise under pressure were as much a reason for TCA hanging on as were the 16 points provided by senior guard Naomi Shorts and the 15 more turned in by junior guard/forward Giana Boulden.
“I can’t say enough about Maniya, and really our whole starting five,” Fusik said. “Gloucester Catholic came at us, and they answered the challenge.”
“(Custis) is very talented. She did a nice job controlling things for them,” Gedaka said. “Still our girls battled them. This wasn’t an effort issue for us. It just came down to defense.”
Baines led the Rams with 16 points, nine of which she scored in the second half, 12 rebounds and nine assists. Jada Williams, a 6-1 sophomore forward, added 15 points and 18 rebounds, while 5-10 senior forward Emily Leonhardt scored 13 with four 3s and 5-5 junior guard Mycala Carney added 10 points.
Even with Gloucester Catholic drilling five 3-pointers in the final quarter, it could not regain control of the game from the state final-bound Mikes.
GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC (64)
Baines 4-8-16, JWilliams 5-5-15, VanDine 0-0-0, Cordery 1-0-3, Carney 3-2-10, Eggers 2-1-7, Leonhardt 4-1-13.
Totals — 19-17-64.
TCA (74)
Elgizawy 1-0-3, Shorts 6-1-16, Boulden 6-0-15, Massenat 3-0-8, Saunders 0-0-0, Maddox 1-0-2, MAromando 0-0-0, Custis 9-4-25, Bailey 0-0-0, Boyd 1-2-5.
Totals — 27-7-74.
GlcstrCth(24-4) 9 15 18 22 — 64
TCA (25-3) 17212016—74
3-point goals: Cordery, Carney 2, Eggers 2, Leonhardt 4 (GC), Elgizawy, Shorts 3, Boulden 3, Massenat 2, Custis 3, Boyd (TCA).