Boys Varsity Basketball | 2/28/2023 8:54:00 AM

Union Catholic continued its remarkable run by grinding out another tough road win as the fifth-seeded Vikings knocked off top-seeded Camden Catholic, 61-53, in the semifinals of the NJSIAA South Jersey, Non-Public A Boys Basketball Tournament on Monday night at Camden Catholic in Cherry Hill. 

The red-hot Vikings, who have won five straight and 11 of their last 12 to raise their record to 19-9, will play sixth-seeded St. Joseph (Met.) in the South Jersey, Non-Public A Championship on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Lenape High School. St. Joseph (18-10), who defeated UC 60-55 last month, advanced with a 70-66 win over No. 7 seed Rutgers Prep, ranked No. 11 in the state.   

This marks the first appearance in a sectional final for the UC boys since 1987 when the Vikings defeated Seton Hall Prep to win the North Jersey, Non-Public A Championship. The 1987 team, under UC Hall of Fame coach Neil Horne, went on to shock then No. 1 ranked Christian Brothers Academy to win the program's lone State Championship.

UC, behind senior Chimeziri Okeoma's game-high 22 points, used some clutch shot-making in the final quarter and suffocating defense down the stretch to secure the victory. 

The Vikings were clinging to a 39-37 lead early in the fourth quarter when senior guard Raheem Williams, who finished with 10 points, made a pair of three pointers, including one that banked in that gave the Vikings a 45-39 lead.      

UC then took a 50-43 lead with 3:45 left in the game when senior Javon McKay hit a tough, twisting layup in traffic, but Camden Catholic (22-6) answered with a 6-2 run to cut the deficit to 52-49 with 1:30 left to play. Then UC forced two turnovers and scored five straight points on a free throw by Okeoma and layups by Yaw Ansong and Wlliams to take a 57-49 lead with 27.7 second left. Okeoma sank two free throws with 17.3 seconds remaining, and scored on a layup off a steal by McKay just before the final buzzer to close out the scoring.

One of the most pivotal moments of the game came late in the third quarter. After Camden Catholic hit a three-pointer to take a 34-30 lead with 1:52 left in the period, which energized the crowd, the Vikings responded with a 9-0 run to close out the quarter. Sophomore FK Muntari, who scored 10 points, was fouled making a layup and converted the 3-point play, Okeoma scored in transition after a steal and then scored on a put-back, and then sophomore point guard AJ Altobelli hit two free throws. Altobelli, who finished with seven points, played a strong game on both ends of the court despite being in foul trouble.   

In the state tournament, UC has defeated St. John Vianney in the first round at home, 69-51, fourth-seeded Paul VI, 64-58 in overtime on the road in the quarterfinals, and now Camden Catholic on the road in the semifinals.  
        
Coach Jim Reagan Jr., in his 21st year as head coach at his alma mater, praised his team for their gritty play and said their tough schedule has played a part in the team's great run over the last month.
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"I am very pleased with the way our team played against the top seed Camden Catholic,'' said Reagan, whose only loss in February came to No. 1 ranked Roselle Catholic in the semifinals of the Union County Tournament. "To come back on the road, to travel over an hour and a half for the second straight game-I couldn't be happier. We try to schedule games all season long to have us prepared for this. What a tough environment, and our kids stepped up and met the challenge. Again, our depth and our intensity were just enough. We don't want this season to end.''