Bridgewater Boys Fall to Elizabeth in Sectional Final

The boys basketball team made it to the finals of the NJSIAA North 2, Group IV championship hosting Elizabeth Tuesday. Bridgewater fell behind Elizabeth in the second period and went into the half down 33-22. 

When Elizabeth came out in a zone defense for the third period, the Panthers mounted a comeback and outscored their opponents 17-7 in the period, narrowing the lead to 40-39. Leading the charge were Stevie Danyluk with eight points, including a pair of 3-pointers, and Robbie Myers who added seven points.

IN SHORT

In the fourth quarter, Elizabeth showed why it was a pre-tournament favorite to win the title. 

"I give a lot of credit to Elizabeth and their speed and pressure making things difficult for us," said Bridgewater coach Gene McAteer. 

With 1:47 to go in the game, and the Panthers up 45-44, Elizabeth's Kason Campbell was called for an offensive foul, but yelled at the referee about the call and was given a technical.  Sal Vitello sunk two freethrows, giving the Panthers a 3-point lead and the ball. 

But that would be it in scoring for the Panthers. Eric Murdock was called for a "close" offensive foul just outside the lane late in the period. Moments later, on the next play, Scott Bieda fouled Elizabeth's Hakeem Rogers while he was scoring.  

With the score 48-47 Elizabeth, Rogers missed the free throw and the Panthers got the rebound. And with just 10 seconds to go, Vitello brought the ball up the floor and saw teammate Danyluk in the left corner—Vitello threw a sharp pass to the spot, but Danyluk didn't see it and the ball flew out of bounds.

PANTHER OF THE GAME

The Team—"They did everything they could do to win and left it all out on the floor."—McAteer

KEY PERFORMANCE

Stevie Danyluk—Danyluk led all scorers with 18 points, including four 3-point baskets.

COACH'S TAKE

"We have been in a lot of close games down the stretch, but perhaps the difference tonight was the team speed and pressure. We have played some fast teams this year, but not any with quite that much speed. I give Elizabeth a lot of credit, they played really hard and they showed us speed we haven't seen much of this year. When they came out in the zone, the team did what they were supposed to getting the ball to the high post, they got some open looks and were getting shots around the rim. These were shots we were usually converting, but tonight they were turned away. Not something our players didn't do, but the athleticism and quickness we haven't seen turned us away."—McAteer