HADDONFIELD (N.J.) - The Paul VI boys basketball team was looking to avenge its heartbreaking loss to rival Camden Catholic on January 10.
Emmanuel Joe-Samuel, pictured, scored 27 of his career-high 35 points in the second half as Paul VI erased a 10-point deficit in the second quarter to grab a 61-57 victory over St. Joseph's Prep (Pa.) on Saturday, January 21, 2023. Kevin Emmons/D2 Sports Network
The Eagles fell to Trenton on Saturday, 67-51, and responded with a 66-53 win over Mastery Charter in the Camden County Tournament on Monday.
Paul VI added to its resume with a thrilling 53-51 victory over Camden Catholic in an Olympic Conference National Division showdown on Thursday night.
The Eagles established a commanding 27-19 lead at halftime, but the Fighting Irish refused to go away. The Eagles' lead was cut to only three points after three quarters and disappeared as Camden Catholic jumped out to a 45-39 advantage early in the fourth quarter.
Paul VI's Emmanuel Joe-Samuel hit two of his game-high four 3-pointers to tie the contest at 45-45. Joe-Samuel finished with a team-high 14 points and 11 rebounds. Josh Eli also notched a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Eagles.
"I just trusted my game," Joe-Samuel said. "I felt I could hit the shots I took and I was doing anything I could to help the team win.
"This was a big team win. We all played a part today and got a win that we needed moving forward with the teams we have lined up."
Tobe Nwobu led Camden Catholic with a game-high 22 points and Luke Kennevan added 14.
The Eagles visit Middle Township at the Holy Cross Prep Showcase on Saturday, host Cherry Hill East in the second round of the Camden County Tournament on Sunday, and host St. Augustine next Tuesday.
"This win was big in many aspects for us," Paul VI coach Tony Devlin said. "We needed this win for power points, experience, and momentum moving forward with our schedule."
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