Morristown High heading for first sectional finals in 43 years

Fans cheer for the Colonials in semis at Randolph. Photo by Maureen Denman
Fans cheer for the Colonials in semis at Randolph. Photo by Maureen Denman
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Kevin Hoehn starred for Morristown against Randolph. Photo by Maureen Denman
Kevin Hoehn, right, starred for Morristown against Randolph. Photo by Maureen Denman

By Maureen Denman

Coach Billy Connolly’s Colonials marched into Randolph on Saturday night and marched out with their first sectional final bid since 1973.

Fans cheer for the Colonials in semis at Randolph. Photo by Maureen Denman
Fans cheer for the Colonials in semis at Randolph. Photo by Maureen Denman

Morristown’s transitioning offense made the difference, as the sixth-seeded varsity rallied late in the third quarter and never looked back, defeating the third-seeded Rams, 50-44.

These boys played with focus. They trailed by by 5 after the first quarter, but came out strong in the second and eked out a lead, only to see to see  Randolph senior Julian Boykins sink a last-minute Hail Mary to tie the game 35-35 at the half.

The Colonial tenacity never waned. An 8-0 rally in the third gave them a 30-27 lead. Junior Josh Szott landed the first in the series with a layup under the basket followed by Kevin Hoehn’s steal and drive to the rim for another two points. Senior Colin Brunnock capped off the run with with two buckets to put the Colonials ahead.

Colin Brunnock and Kevin Hoehn. Photo by Maureen Denman
Colin Brunnock and Kevin Hoehn. Photo by Maureen Denman

After two more points from Hoehn and a free throw from senior Rohan Walker, Morristown broke a 32-all tie and took a three-point lead. The team got strong contributions from the bench throughout the contest.

The lead see-sawed in the last quarter. Withh less than two minutes on the clock, Brunnock hit a layup and was fouled, resulting in a 3-point Colonials lead. Hoen answered again, and junior Luke Haralampoudis sunk a 3-pointer.

Hoehn finished with a game-high 15 points, followed by 11 from Brunnock and 10 from Szott. Harlampoudis added six and Walker chipped in with five points.

Now all that stands between Morristown and the North 1 Group IV championship is No. 4 Hackensack. They square off on Monday in Hackensack.

Luke Haralampoudis sinks a free throw for Morristown. Photo by Maureen Denman
Luke Haralampoudis sinks a free throw for Morristown. Photo by Maureen Denman

 

 

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