Lenape's Tye Dorset (5) hoists the South Jersey Group 4 trophy surrounded by his teammates after Lenape defeated Eastern, 50-47, in the South Jersey Group 4 boys' basketball final played at Lenape High School in Medford, New Jersey on Friday, March 1, 2024. Luca Jaffe/D2 Sports Network
MEDFORD - From the opening tip, the Lenape High School boys' basketball team trailed Eastern all the way until the fourth quarter.
Sophomore Nolan Barnes came up with a steal and advanced the ball down the court. The ball ended up back in his hands after he passed it away on the fast break. The sophomore was able to get the tough layup to fall for the Indians.
Lenape and the visiting Vikings traded the lead again before Barnes came up big again with another transition layup to give the Indians a 49-47 lead with 26.1 seconds.
The sophomore swiped another steal and was fouled. Barnes went 1-for-2 from the free throw line. Eastern was unable to score on its final possession to force overtime and Lenape held on for a 50-47 victory. The Indians secured their second sectional crown in three years.
The Vikings bolted out to an 8-0 advantage and eventually held a seven-point lead after the first quarter. Eastern led 24-19 at halftime.
The Indians upped the intensity in the second half. On defense, they enabled a full court press and tried to dissect Eastern's zone defense on the other side of the ball. Lenape remained within striking distance, but was a step behind the Vikings at all times until the fourth quarter.