Februat 26, 2012

Hudson Catholic players celebrate after defeating St. Peter's Prep for the HCT championship. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hudson Catholic at St. Peter's Prep Basketball Photo Gallery

JERSEY CITY – As his team was about to the biggest game in the recent history of Hudson Catholic basketball, head coach Nick Mariniello talked about what a Hudson County championship - something that had eluded the program for nearly four decades - would mean and the impact that would come with such a win.

"We've talked about it," said Mariniello about those famous teams with future NBA players Mike O'Koren and Jim Spanarkel. "What do you want your legacy to be? How can you create history?"

Last night this current generation of Hawks now share something else in common with them as Hudson Catholic defeated St. Peter's Prep 67-54 at the Yanitelli Center.

The win marked the Hawks' first county championship since 1975 when they defeated St. Anthony at the Jersey City Armory.

"We had 250 kids walk us down from school and we had a ton of alumni here," Mariniello said. "Guys who were a part of the championship 37 years ago - Mike O'Koren, who played on that team, spoke to our guys last night and was there for our practice."

"It means a lot," said junior Rakwan Kelly, a three-year starter and team captain. "Thirty-seven years ago it was Mike O'Koren and them. After speaking to them recently, we knew we were humble enough to win."

Kelly and his teammates, quickly showed they had the humility and talent to be champions, using an early 10-2 run to race out in front and never look back.

Junior Reggie Cameron put top-seeded Hudson Catholic (23-2) with a bucket to make it 4-2 less than two minutes in. The smooth-shooting forward was on point midway through the first half when he drained four consecutive jumpers in a span of three minutes for nine points. The last of the four baskets,  a shot from the corner off a Grant Ellis pass, gave the Hawks a nine-point lead.

"Some of us were nervous (early)," said junior guard Travis Flagg, who had six assists. "But the coaching staff told us to just go out and play our games."

"Everything we do offensively goes through Reggie," Mariniello said. "It's not a secret. But other guys stepped up and made plays and that was very big."

Mike Young had his second-straight double-double against the Marauders (19-6) as he posted 16 points and 10 rebounds. Twelve of the 6-foot-9 juniors' points came in the second half. Kelly, who has been limited by a hip injury and admitted is less than 100-percent, added 11 points. Kavon Stewart overcame early foul trouble to score 10 points of his own and dish out five assists.

Stewart was one of six players who would score for Hudson Catholic in a 15-5 run to close the third quarter, effectively putting the game out of reach and ending Prep's hopes of a fifth-straight County Championship.

"They're a different group. They're very, very confident," said Mariniello of his squad. "They've grown up a lot in the course of four months."

Sophomore Sean Cummings paced the Marauders with 18 points and seven rebounds off the bench. Austin White scored 17 points and Trevis Wyche added 11 in defeat.

Both teams now move on to the state tournament where they will each have a First Round bye before returning to action. St. Peter's Prep will next be in action on Friday when they travel to Sparta to square off with Pope John in the Non-Public, North A quarterfinals. Hudson Catholic will host the winner of  Queen of Peace and Montclair Kimberley on Thursday night in the Non-Public, North B quarterfinals.

But for now, Hudson Catholic gets a chance to reflect on not just its 19th-straight win of the season, but its new place in school lore.

"Coach always told me that I was going to get a championship some day," Kelly said. "And I knew it was going to be this year."

Hudson Catholic's Travis Flagg (right) tries to shoot over the defense of Jordan Arthur. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hudson Catholic at St. Peter's Prep Basketball Photo Gallery