How did holiday tournament hardware influence Morris/Sussex girls basketball rankings?

Jane Havsy, Morristown Daily Record

Happy New Year, Morris/Sussex girls basketball fans! Did you get enough excitement from all the Winter Break tournaments?

It's time to shift focus back to Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference division play, with a splash of out-of-area challenges. There are about three weeks until Morris County and Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex tournament seeding meetings.

Who has stepped up so far? Check out our first in-season Morris/Sussex girls hoops Top 10.

10. Hanover Park (4-1)

Last week:- No. 7

Senior Samantha Cicerone averaged 12.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.8 steals as Madison won Summit's Pete Tierney Memorial Holiday Tournament.

Up next: Wednesday vs. Morris Catholic, Friday at Pequannock, Saturday vs. Morris Hills

Harper Felch of Morris Tech and Regina Williams of Lenape Valley in the first half as Morris Tech defeated Lenape Valley 63-48 in a NJAC-Colonial girls basketball game played in Stanhope, NJ on January 19, 2023.
Harper Felch of Morris Tech and Regina Williams of Lenape Valley in the first half as Morris Tech defeated Lenape Valley 63-48 in a NJAC-Colonial girls basketball game played in Stanhope, NJ on January 19, 2023.

9. Morris Tech (4-0)

Last week: Unranked

The Devils had a low key start to the season, going undefeated in two NJAC-Colonial games and at West Morris' Holiday Hoopla. Senior Harper Felch leads the way with 23.3 points per game.

Up next: Wednesday vs. Jefferson, Saturday at Caldwell, Monday vs. Morris Hills

8. Newton (6-1)

Last week: Unranked

Sophomore Caitlin Pokrywa averaged 13.1 points and 6.4 boards as Newton rolled through its first six games, before stumbling versus Vernon, 43-22, in the final of Wallkill Valley's Holiday Hoops Tournament on Dec. 29. The NJAC-Colonial foes play a division game on Wednesday.

Up next: Wednesday vs. Vernon, Friday at Wallkill Valley

7. Jefferson (4-1)

Last week: Unranked

The Falcons are off to a solid start, defeating Group 3 Wayne Valley and Wayne Hills in their own holiday showcase. Senior Emily Poulas has 13.8 points per game. Coach James MacDermid's next win will be No. 200 in 11 seasons, against just 76 losses.

Up next: Wednesday at Morris Tech, Friday vs. Glen Rock

Charlotte Tuhy of Madison tries to get the ball past the Hanover Park defense. Tuesday, January 10, 2023 Mandatory Credit: Kevin R. Wexler-The Record
Charlotte Tuhy of Madison tries to get the ball past the Hanover Park defense. Tuesday, January 10, 2023 Mandatory Credit: Kevin R. Wexler-The Record

6. Madison (6-2)

Last week: No. 6

The Group 2 Dodgers stepped up against larger opponents at Chatham's holiday tournament, falling 44-40 to the hosts in the final. Junior forward Charlotte Tuhy is averaging 25.2 points and 12.6 rebounds.

Up next: Wednesday at Boonton, Saturday vs. Hillsborough

Girls hoops milestone: Madison junior Charlotte Tuhy reaches 1,000 points

5. Pope John (5-2)

Last week: No. 8

After dropping NJAC-American games to Morristown and Chatham, Pope John rebounded to victory at Mount St. Dominic's Holiday Festival. Sophomore Addison Platt has 13.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 2.9 steals and 3.7 blocks per game.

Up next: Wednesday vs. Montville, Friday at Randolph, Saturday vs. University at Newark Collegiate

Morristown hosts Jefferson in a girls high school basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. (From left) J #33 Emily Poulas and M #4 Kacie Bush.
Morristown hosts Jefferson in a girls high school basketball game on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. (From left) J #33 Emily Poulas and M #4 Kacie Bush.

4. Morristown (4-3)

Last week: No. 3

The Colonials lost three straight to parochial opponents at the Holiday Hoopfest. Senior Maya Summerville (8.3 ppg., 9.4 rpg.) and junior Kacie Bush (7.4 ppg., 3.4 rpg.) lead Morristown, which will be back against more familiar opponents this week.

Up next: Wednesday vs. Sparta, Friday at Chatham, Saturday vs. Ridge

3. Mendham (7-1)

Last week: No. 4

Senior point guard Lia Manuel (18 ppg., 5.8 rpg., 3.8 apg., 3.8 spg.) reached 1,000 career points at Morris Knolls as Winter Break began. Mendham, which wrapped up 2023 with two wins at Pequannock's Blue & Gold Tournament, will open the new year at sister school West Morris.

Up next: Wednesday at West Morris

Girls basketball: Boisterous family powers Mendham point guard Lia Manuel to milestone

2. Chatham (6-1)

Last week: No. 2

Chatham had few problems winning its own holiday tournament, topping neighbor Madison, 44-40, in the final on Dec. 29. Junior guard Ella Kreuzer is averaging 17.4 points per game.

Up next: Wednesday vs. Morris Hills, Friday vs. Morristown

More: Chatham girls basketball coach Joe Gaba 'super proud of consistency,' 500th win

1. Morris Catholic (7-0)

Last week: No. 1

The Crusaders took care of business on their road trip to Raleigh, North Carolina, coming home with the John Wall Invitational title for the second year in a row. Junior guard Mia Pauldo is averaging 20.7 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and three steals as Morris Catholic returns to the NJAC-Liberty.

Up next: Wednesday at Hanover Park, Friday vs. Parsippany Hills, Sunday vs. Red Bank Catholic at Brookdale CC

Also considered: Pequannock (5-2), St. Elizabeth (4-3), Villa Walsh (5-1).

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ girls basketball: Morris/Sussex Top 10 rankings after tournaments

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