The SJR basketball team has faced a challenging schedule this season. After a tough loss to Bergen Catholic, the team knew the road ahead would not get any easier. Despite starting the season 6-5, the Green Knights have turned things around, winning four straight games to improve to 10-5.
To kick off their hot streak, the Green Knights faced Northern Highlands, who held an 8-3 record at the time. At halftime, SJR trailed by 7 points but emerged as the stronger team in the second half. The Green Knights allowed only 9 points in the third quarter and 18 in the fourth, outscoring Northern Highlands 40-27 in the second half. The comeback ended with a 63-57 victory for SJR. The dynamic duo of Anthony Pacciarelli and Jahmir Joseph shined, as both players scored over 20 points. Pacciarelli led the team with 24 points, while Joseph contributed 22.
Following their second-half comeback against Northern Highlands on January 18th, SJR faced off against rival Don Bosco Prep. This match up promised to be another tough battle, as Bosco entered the game on a 4-game winning streak. To make matters worse, SJR was without star senior Jahmir Joseph due to illness. The first half saw back-and-forth action, but SJR managed to secure a 5-point lead heading into the second half. The second half was similar to the first, with both teams trading baskets, but the Green Knights held onto their lead to pull off an upset, defeating the 4th-ranked team in the state 56-51.In this game, SJR saw contributions from six key players. Senior Anthony Pacciarelli led with 14 points, followed by sophomore Alex Mazzella with 11. Senior Taylor Vero, freshman Tahj Gray, and junior Tom Diomedi, each scored 8 points, while sophomore Chaz Gray added 7 points.
After consecutive upsets against Northern Highlands and Don Bosco Prep, the Green Knights took on Paramus. This game was one of the easier match ups on SJR's schedule, and the team capitalized on the opportunity with a dominant 68-38 win. Senior Anthony Pacciarelli once again led the team with 22 points, while senior Jahmir Joseph contributed 10. Notably, 12 SJR players scored during this blowout victory.
On January 23rd, following their commanding win against Paramus, SJR played Newark Arts in the Jerome Smart Told U Classic. Newark Arts entered the game with a winning record, and SJR knew this would not be an easy match up. In the first half, the Green Knights allowed only 17 points and held a 6-point lead at halftime. The second half turned into a high-scoring affair, with both teams scoring over 20 points in the third quarter alone. Despite both sides heating up offensively, SJR retained their lead and secured a 59-54 victory. The reliable duo of Jahmir Joseph and Anthony Pacciarelli led the offense once again, with Joseph scoring 19 points and Pacciarelli adding 18.
Now fired up, the Green Knights hold a 10-5 record and are second in the Big North Conference. SJR has also earned the third seed in the Bergen County Jamboree which puts them above teams like Don Bosco and Northern Highlands who they recently defeated. Their next game is on Tuesday, January 28rh, against Northern Valley Old Tappan at 7:00 PM and their first Jamboree game will be this Saturday, February 1st, versus the winner of #14 Rutherford and #19 Dwight Englewood. This game will be played at Northern Highlands and tip off is at 11:00 AM.
