March is here for the Girls Basketball Group Tournament as well. Big State Sports is here to predict these games as well. 

GROUP 1 NORTH 

1 Newark University @ 1 Park Ridge

Paradise Fisher is an electric rod of energy for Newark University, she hit 1000 points in the Essex County Tournament against Montclair Immaculate, the only team we lost to. Park Ridge is coming off a Sectional Championship, the first in team history, but I believe the drive for five continues for the Phoenix.

Peter’s Prediction- Newark University 64-50

GROUP 1 SOUTH

3 Shore @ 2 Wildwood

Reese Fiore has been a great high range shooting guard for Shore. Shore is more of a sharpshooting team, and if they get in a rhythm from beyond the arch, it might be a long day for Wildwood. Shore I believe will get to their second straight state championship appearance.

Peter’s Prediction- Shore 66-63

GROUP 2 NORTH

3 Madison @ 1 Jefferson 

Cassidy Ball has put this Jefferson team on her back, The Falcons have gone on a tear and this is their third straight sectional championship. But they’re going to have a tough task with their rival Madison. The two teams split the season series. It is going to be an extremely close game, but I have to favor Jefferson here.

Peter’s Pick-Jefferson 78-73 OT

GROUP 2 SOUTH

2 Manasquan @ 1 Middle Township

Katie Collins had a huge game, upsetting the defending champion New Providence, which won the section for Manasquan. Their lineup is full of seniors that can shoot the ball and also can defend quite well. Middle Township also has some quality guards, but I am giving the edge in a major way to the Warriors.

Peter’s Pick-Manasquan 68-48

GROUP 3 NORTH 

1 Teaneck @ 1 Chatham

This definitely is up in those clash of the titans type games. Both of these teams are very similar. Although Chatham is a little longer and taller, once again, this game will be decided by how well Chatham star Ella Kreuzer does. This game is very close to call, but I think the physicality and speed for Chatham puts them a little over the top.

Peter’s Pick-Chatham 71-66

GROUP 3 SOUTH

1 Ewing @ 1 Mainland Regional

Rhian Stokes has been a leader for Ewing, but not just offensively the defensive side of the ball as their structured defense and trap have lifted them to one of the best public schools in New Jersey. They are the defending champions for a reason and this is the second year of their two-year window of dominance. Mainland also has a very adept and fast team, but I don’t think they’ll be able to deal with the defensive capabilities of Ewing.

Peter’s Pick-Ewing 81-70

GROUP 4 NORTH

2 Morristown @ 2 Hillsborough 

Maya Summerville and Kacie Bush have led Morristown to a sexual championship, including a victory over last year’s runner-up Union City. Summerville is four points away from 1000 in our career, it has been a momentous season for Morristown, Hillsborough has also had a lot of success, but I favor the size and mojo of Morristown.

Peter’s Pick-Morristown 70-60

GROUP 4 SOUTH

2 Howell @ 1 Lenape

Alexa Henry has been a very powerful guard for Lenape, a lot of this team is coming back next year, but she will not, and she has helped her team to an incredible position. Howell also has had a good season, but Lenape will be the one moving onto the state championship game.

Peter’s Prediction-Lenape 78-71

NON PUBLIC A NORTH

2 Immaculate Heart @ 1 Pope John

Katie O’Keefe and Addison Platt are both young players for Pope John and this Lions team is only going to get better, they have had some losses against teams they were favored against but they won the HWS tournament and they have been rolling since then. It is going to be a tough task against the defending champions, Immaculate Heart. I do really like the chemistry of Pope John right now, though they are playing really good basketball.

Peter’s Pick-Pope John 75-56

NON PUBLIC A SOUTH

7 Paul VI @ 1 Red Bank Catholic

Red Bank Catholic has had a phenomenal year, and they have been led by the Liggio sisters, Katie and Christina. They have been playing very good basketball as well lately and I think the Cinderella run for Paul VI ends here. 

Peter’s Pick-Red Bank Catholic 69-54

NON PUBLIC B NORTH

2 Montclair Immaculate @ 1 Morris Catholic 

Morris Catholic is very close to completing what has almost been a perfect season, only one loss on the docket and it was to the number two team in the country Long Island Lutheran. This Crusader squad is looking for their second straight championship and currently sitting seventh in the entire United States, this will be a tough game for them, due to the fire power that Montclair Immaculate maculate has, but I think you’re going to see another huge game from the Pauldo twins Mia and Maya.

Peter’s Pick- Morris Catholic 91-79

NON PUBLIC B SOUTH

3 St. Rose @ 1 Rutgers Prep

The Argonauts are on another journey to go back to the state championship game and they have been building this entire season to going back there and winning a championship. Mikayla Blakes has elevated herself to the number one player in the state and has already committed to go to Vanderbilt and play SEC college basketball next year, but right now obviously she and her team are focused on Saint Rose. Saint Rose also has played well, but when it comes down to this, Rutgers Prep is on a mission, and I believe they will get back to their second straight state final.

Peter Pick-Rutgers Prep 74-62