The Camden Catholic High School boys basketball team poses with the South Jersey Non-Public A sectional championship trophy after defeating St. Peter's, 70-65, in the basketball game played at Lenape High School in Medford, New Jersey on Monday, March 10, 2025. Collin Conway/D2 Sports Network
MEDFORD - The last time the Camden Catholic High School boys basketball team won a state title, their entire roster was in middle school or almost in middle school.
Now all grown up, the Irish upset St. Peter’s, 70-65, in double overtime to capture their first sectional title since 2019.
Leading the way for Camden Catholic was senior Luke Kennevan who posted 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists good for a triple-double in his biggest game to date.
“Not many seniors get playing time,” Camden Catholic coach Matt Crawford said. “Most of the seniors on the roster are on the bench but all of them have the same impact as leaders. Most of our starters are underclassmen but have taken in the knowledge and lessons that the upperclassmen have taught them.”
Destiny loomed large heading into the matchup with what many considered the number-one team in the state but the extracurriculars were thrown out of the window once the ball was tipped off.
St. Peter's held a 10-6 lead after the first quarter but it was Camden Catholic who had the momentum heading into the second half with a halftime lead.
The Irish had multiple chances to put St. Peter's away late but Richie Rosa would not let the Marauders go quietly hitting a three-pointer with just seconds left in regulation to knot up the score. Camden Catholic could not find an answer and the game went into an extra period.
Yet again Camden Catholic shot out to a sizeable lead but St. Peter's closed the gap and forced a second overtime.
The third time was the charm as the luck of the Irish did not run out as Villanova football commit Sean Welde grabbed a late steal and went 1-for-2 at the free throw line to ice the game officially putting to bed any thoughts of a third St. Peter's comeback.
"They just would not go away late in the game," Kennevan said. "I think it says more about us to keep fighting no matter how many times we couldn't put them away and finally just pulled it out in the second overtime. We're a hungry group. We came into this game knowing we could win and we got it done as a team."
"We've got one more game left and we've worked for it all year. We're exactly where we thought we'd be, we have to get the job done now."
Commenti