The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page D07

Monday, March 13, 2006 THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER www.philly.com South Jersey D7 High Schools Haddonfield 82, Newark Central 57 Bulldogs three -peat with authority Haddonfield coasted the rest of the way. Wilson's outside sniping he hit 2 of 3 three-pointers and Zoubek's inside scoring keyed the run. In the third quarter, Wilson had 10 points and Zoubek had seven. Marquise Moore, who scored 19 points and was named the MVP for Newark Central (22-4), said the Blue Devils had never faced anyone as intimidating as Zoubek. "Just his presence was amazing," he said.

"I had never seen him play until today, and I didn't know he had all those moves." To prepare for Zoubek, "Our trainer had crutches and he held them up when we were shooting in practice," Moore said. Zoubek blocked more shots than the crutches had. "We had to try to contain Zoubek, but they kicked the ball out and their other guys hit the shots," Central's Al-Kabir Sorey said. In the game, Haddonfield shot 33 for 58 (56.9 percent); Newark Central, with Zoubek altering many of its shots, was just 22 for 65 (33.8 percent) from the floor. Haddonfield also held a huge rebounding advantage (49-29) as it captured its 26th straight win.

Brian Zoubek was again dominant, but had help as Haddonfield won its third straight state title. By Sam Carchidi INQUIRER STAFF WRITER PISCATAWAY, N.J. Haddonfield High yesterday became the first South Jersey school in more than 60 years to win three consecutive state boys' basketball championships, romping past Newark Central, 82-57, in the NJSIAA Group 2 final at the Rutgers Athletic Center. Brian Zoubek, Haddonfield's 7-foot-2 center, collected 21 points, 20 rebounds, 8 blocked shots and 6 assists as he was named his team's MVP for the game. "To have our three years culminate like this is just amazing," said the Duke-bound Zoubek, who increased his career total to 2,020 points.

Blake Wilson and Spencer Reed also scored 21 points for Haddonfield (30-1), which became the 13th team in South Jersey history to win 30 games in a season. Haddonfield is the first area public-school team to win three straight state titles since Wild-wood accomplished the feat in 1940-42. After the victory, Haddonfield coach Paul Wiedeman went up and down his bench and slapped hands with his players. But the celebration, for the most part, was mild. "We're subdued because we want to make a bigger impact in the Tournament of Champions than we did last year," said the Haddonfield's Brian Zoubek leaves the court holding his MVP trophy and handing out 6 assists in the Bulldogs' romp.

Teammates Blake TOM GRALISH Inquirer Staff Photographer after scoring 21 points, pulling down 20 rebounds, blocking 8 shots Wilson and Spencer Reed also scored 21 points apiece. Princeton-bound Wilson, mindful that Haddonfield lost to St. Patrick, 76-61, in last year's of semifinals. The Tournament of Champions, which starts Thursday at the Ritacco Center in Toms Riv when Zoubek missed. "He seems to play his best in big games," Wiedeman said.

Haddonfield held a 28-21 lead early in the third quarter before it went on a 21-5 run to take a 49-26 lead. Checkmate. er, brings together the state's six group champs. The scoring by Wilson, who was the MVP of the previous two state finals, and Zoubek was expected. Reed's output, however, was nearly 12 points Haddonfield's title true teamwork PISCATAWAY, N.J.

The year was 1942. A first-class stamp cost three cents. "White Christmas" was released. World War II was raging. It was also the last time a South Jersey public-school boys' basketball team had won three consec- utive state titles.

Until yesterday. Haddonfield, thanks to its 82-57 victory over Newark Central in the NJSIAA Group 2 state final, became the first area public school to win three straight state crowns since Wildwood did it Sam Carchidi above his average of 9.5 per game. Reed shot 9 for 12 from the floor and also pulled down 10 rebounds. He always seemed to be in position for a putback, especially during the rare times tribute to "And once we're over half-court, we have Brian." Role players Spencer Reed, Joey Malcarney, Dennis Sobolewski and Greg Steinberger have been the perfect complements to Zoubek and Wilson. "They're all so unselfish, and I enjoy coaching this style," said Wiedeman, adding that the Bulldogs' three intense games with Collingswood helped pave the way for the latest champion TOM GRALISH Inquirer Staff Photographer from 1940 to 1942.

Sixty-four years have passed and a lot of South Jersey powers have played Shawnee, Camden, Middle Township, among others. Haddonfield accomplished more than any of them. "I can't truly understand it yet," Haddonfield coach Paul Wiedeman said when asked to put his team's feat in perspective. "I mean, World War II was going on" the last time it Newark Central Haddonfield 6 13 15 23 57 14 14 30 24 82 NC: Marquise Moore 19, Omar Smith 5, James Richardson 6, Al-Kabir Sorey 1 3, Bilial Gordon 3, Rajohn McClendon 2, Jeffrey Ayers 2, Dashawn Morris 2, Stacy Williams 5. Brian Zoubek 21 Blake Wilson 21 Spencer Reed 21 Nolan Ciemniecki 3, Greg Steinberger 2, Dennis Sobolewski 5, Joey Malcarney 6, Derek Zaleski 3.

Contact staff writer Sam Carchidi at 215-854-5181 or scarchidiphillynews.com. Haddonfield's Blake Wilson (left) and Brian Zoubek (center) are considered the stars of the team, but the Bulldogs wouldn't be where they are without role players such as Joey Malcarney (right). "They're all so unselfish, and I enjoy coaching this style," Bulldogs coach Paul Wiedeman said. help out Brian and Blake with the scoring and rebounding." Reed isn't a water boy. Neither are the other role players.

They were as much a part of Haddonfield's third title as its marquee leaders. Post a question or a comment for Sam Carchidi at http:go.philly.comasksam. Or contact him at 215-854-5181 or scarchidiphillynews.com. Bulldogs seeded third in of Group 2 state champion Haddonfield earned the No. 3 seed and will face Group 3 champion Hamilton West, seeded sixth, in a Tournament of Champions boys' basketball quarterfinal at the Ritacco Center in Toms River on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Seedings for the tournament involving the six state champions were announced after last night's NJSIAA state finals. The semifinals will be held Saturday at Rutgers. The Had-donfield-Hamilton West winner will play No. 2 seed St. Patrick (Non-Public B) at noon.

The championship will be held at Continental Airlines Arena on March 22 at 8 p.m. For the girls, Camden Catholic and Malcolm Shabazz were awarded the top two seeds and received byes for the Tournament of Champions. Absegami, which won its second consecutive Group 4 title, was seeded fourth and will face No. 5 Rumson-Fair Haven of Group 2 in the first game of Wednesday's quarterfinal dou-bleheader, starting at 6 p.m. at the Ritacco Center.

A win by Absegami would move the Braves into a semifinal showdown with Shabazz, which won the Group 3 crown. The finale will be held at 6 p.m. March 22 at Continental Airlines Arena. Sam CarchidiPete Schnatz run is a they're a team," Central's Marquis Moore said. "Their other guys surprised me.

They did more than I thought they would. It's not just those two guys." They move the ball unselfishly, play terrific defense, and do all the little things set screens, score off inbounds plays, get back on defense to cover for a teammate who is out of position that produce championships. And they like each other. They really like each other. You can see it in their cohesiveness on the court.

"This team has a better chemistry," Wilson said when asked to compare the latest championship squad with the teams that won the first two crowns. Haddonfield figured to take a step backward this season, since its sensational guards, Derek Heckendorn and Vinnie Ciecka, had graduated. That hasn't happened. To compensate for the loss of its two slick ball handlers, Haddonfield simply changed its style. "Instead of dribbling, we're passing the ball more now and it's helped us get over half-court quicker," Wiedeman said.

Absegami's Tara Booker (center), Alysha Taylor (to her left), Krissy The North Jersey champion Bees (27-3) proved peskier than expected. Senior forward Christy Altamirano pumped in 16 of her 21 points over the first two quarters, and Bayonne went to the locker room trailing by just five. Goodwin's decision to stick with a box-and-one defense in the second half, with senior guard Connie James and sophomore forward Jessica Brown taking turns guarding Altamirano, forced Bayonne to look elsewhere for its offense. Still, no one on the Absegami He added: "It's going to mean a lot down the road. It puts us on the map to be compared to the great teams of all time.

It's a tribute to the players. This is a golden era in Haddonfield basketball, and being a member of the alum ni myselt, appreciate it even more." An outsider may think that Haddonfield is a two-player team. That would be a misconception. Oh, there's no question that Haddonfield revolves around 7-foot-2 Duke-bound center Brian Zoubek and 6-4 Blake Wilson, a senior swingman who is headed for Princeton. The two have been teammates since fifth grade, and they are beautiful to watch; they are always in sync, always feeding off each other.

But Haddonfield is more than Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside. Much more. Just ask Newark Central.

"We focused on Zoubek and the Princeton guy Wilson, but their whole team hurt us; that she and her Braves teammates are far from content. "Everyone kept telling me that I had to get to 1,000 points, but I'm more thrilled with winning the title," she said. "Not too many players get to win one, much less two championships. But while I'm happy, I'm not satisfied. We all want to finish this thing out by winning the TOC." Cradling her MVP trophy, Booker sheepishly suggested that her performance was less than outstanding in the first half.

"I didn't play well early, so I had to make up for it late," she said. Booker, who picked up 14 of her 19 points after intermission and had a game-high 14 rebounds, fueled a critical 12-4 second-half run. After nailing a fade-away jumper, the 6-foot sophomore forward scored on a beautiful spin move through the lane, pushing the Braves' lead to 39-30 with five seconds left in the third. Booker opened the final period with a put-back and two free throws, as Absegami stretched its lead to 43-32. Absegami 58, Bayonne 48 Braves repeat title, set sights on of ship.

"They like each other and they play the right way." The unheralded Reed certainly plays the right way. The 6-4 junior played a major role yesterday, scoring 21 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. "This is the first state final where I've had a chance to contribute," Reed said. "Last year, I was pretty much filling up the water for these guys. This year, I worked a lot in the off-season to Braves could turn to 6-4 sophomore center Sara Mostafa, whose 11 points and four rebounds enabled the Braves to dominate the boards, 40-24, and outscore the Bees inside, 32-14.

Absegami 13 12 14 19 58 Bayonne 7 13 10 18 48 Sara Mostafa 1 1 Krissy Rosario 1 2, Connie James 9, Alysha Taylor 5, Tara Booker 1 9, Jessica Brown 2. Alexis Sweeney 5, Christy Altamirano 21, Cassandra Callaway 4, Courtney Young 1 1 Ashley Devaney 5, Jerica Hayes 2. Contact suburban staff writer Pete Schnatz at 215-854-5817 or pschnatzphillynews.com. DAVID WARREN Inquirer Suburban Staff named the Braves' MVP in the title victory, celebrates with teammates Rosario (holding trophy) and Connie James (right). By Pete Schnatz INQUIRER SUBURBAN STAFF TOMS RIVER, N.J.

The Absegami girls' basketball team might have some unfinished business to take care of, but the Braves had plenty to celebrate yesterday at the Ritacco Center. Coach Greg Goodwin's team won its second consecutive NJSIAA Group 4 state championship by grinding out a 58-48 victory over Bayonne; Tara Booker garnered most-valuable-player honors with a strong second half, and Krissy Rosario reached the plateau. "This title is different," Goodwin said following a somewhat muted celebration. "Last year, we were just happy to be here. Now we're looking forward to the rest of the week." Absegami (24-5) will join five other state titlists in the Tournament of Champions, which opens with quarterfinal play at the Ritacco Center on Wednesday night.

Rosario, a 6-foot-2 senior center who contributed 12 points and six rebounds, was adamant side was able to relax until Altamirano fouled out with 49 seconds remaining and Booker drained a pair of free throws to give the Braves their largest lead of the game, 58-44. Balance "has definitely been the strength of this team," Goodwin said. "You can see it when girls go out with foul trouble and our bench steps up. Kids like Felicia Jackson, Jessica Brown, Julie Jenkins and Ty Ab-dilla came in and played some good defense for us." It also didn't hurt that the.