The season started in late December with a few teams having dreams of finishing #1, winning the NJ Tournament of Champions. There are two teams left that can make that dream a reality. St. Patrick's entered the season the choice from NJ Hoops and others to win the crown. Camden Catholic was ranked pre-season as the #2 team in South Jersey. Both teams have had incredible seasons. St. Patrick's has not lost a game to a NSIAA school. Camden Catholic has not lost a game since the opening weekend of the season. On paper, St Patrick's has a talent edge with their goup of Division 1 players. Camden Catholic has already beaten other teams loaded with Division 1 players including Bergen Catholic.

St. Patrick's starts 6'10" Seton Hall bound Grant Billmeier (#33 pictured below) and 6'5" Sr. Robert Hines (#34 pictured below with MVP trophy). The Celtics start three guards. Camden Catholic offers 6'5" Jr. James Ulrich (#15 pictured below) and the Cangelosi twins in 6'4" Eric (#20 pictured below) and Nick. Grant is a solid rebounder and defender. Robert is paying very well of late. Ulrich is coming off a career high 30 point effort. Not known as a great three point shooter, Eric shot 4 - 4 from three his last game. The matchup with Eric and Robert will feature two of the toughest post players in the state. Robert gets excellent position and can score in the post. Ulrich and Eric can step out and must hit the outside or baseline jumpshot. Both teams are phyisical upfront, a key will be how close the refs call it, and who gets in foul trouble.

Even

The Backcourt: To compare apples and oranges, we will add Nick Cangelosi to the Camden Catholic backcourt for comparison with the three St. Pat's guards. St. Pat's is led by the consummate floor general 6'1" Villanova bound Mike Nardi (pictured below with ball). FDU bound Jason Patterson (#21 pictured at bottom) is the top three point shooter in the state, and cannot be left open. 5'8" Antoine Pryor helps handling the press and plays good defense. Drew Rosenfeld (#10 pictured below) is one of the most underrated point guards in the state for Camden Catholic. Drew had 10 assists in the semis and thrives on delivering the ball at the right time. 6'1" Sr. Mike Mangold is a good shooter who will need to hit some in this one. Nick Cangelosi (pictured in white at bottom) is a hard nosed banger who makes all the plays that help a team win.

St. Patrick's

6'5" Sr. Assaad Shakir is the 6th man for St. Pat's. Assaad rebounds well, and gets up the floor in a hurry to finish against the press. 6'1" Jr. Desmond Sanders is a versatile combo guard, and 6'1" Jr. Devon Moffat can score in a hurry. 6'0" Jr. Rich Racobaldo fits the rugged Camden Catholic mold. Tough with the ball and on defense and capable ofa big shot. 6'3" Sr. Byron Williams is a good athlete who could provide a spark.

St. Patrick's

Two of the best coaches in the state, matching wits is an interesting subplot. Camden Catholic has been masterful in controlling tempo and their matchup zone has given teams fits. They're pressure has also come up with some big steals. St. Pat's runs when the opportunity is there but is very comfortable in the half court game. They have weapons inside with Billmeier, Hines and Shaakir. A terrific perimeter shooter with Patterson and the best lead guard in the state in Nardi. Camden Catholic has surprised NJ Hoops before particularly in their wins over St. Anthony's and Bergen Catholic. Therefore we hesitate to pick against them -

But we have to go with St. Patrick's by 4.

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