February 25, 2012

Bayonne's Lisa Rovatsos (center) led the team with an average of 16.4 points per game. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

1. Bayonne vs 2. Lincoln
Saturday, 5:30 p.m. at Saint Peter's College

1. Bayonne Bees (22-3)

How They Got Here:
1st Round: Snyder 69-45
Quarterfinals: Union City 73-20
Semifinals: St. Dominic Academy 49-27

Projected Starting 5:
PG: Tara Flynn, Senior
G: Jesenia Montalvo, Sophomore
G: Alex Fajardo, Junior
G/F: Lisa Rovatsos, Senior
F: Aneia Williams, Sophomore

Top Reserves:
F: Amelia DeSantis, Senior
F: Amanda Novielli, Junior
G: Deserai Vazquez, Sophomore

Player to Watch: Lisa Rovatsos
There's little, the 5-foot-8 senior hasn't done in her four years at Bayonne. Rovatsos has averaged 16.3 points per game and has shown a knack for delivering in the big spot. She had 21 points and 12 rebounds in last year's title game. Her recent 36-point, 18-rebound performance over Bishop Kearney is a reminder of her ability to dominate on any given night.

X-Factor: Alex Fajardo
Rovatsos and Tara Flynn have been at the core of Bayonne's success, but Fajardo has emerged as a legitimate third option in recent weeks. The junior wing had 12 points in Wednesday's semifinal win over St. Dominic Academy, the sixth time in nine games, she has scored in double figures. Fajardo scored 16 points in the regular season against Lincoln.

2. Lincoln Lions (21-3)

How They Got Here:
1st Round: Ferris 71-26
Quarterfinals: North Bergen 64-28
Semifinals: Secaucus 47-46

Projected Starting 5:
PG: Timiah Calamito, Senior
G: Shekinah Suber, Sophomore
G: Chaniyah Swan, Junior
F: Breana Bey, Junior
C: Kiante Johnson, Freshman

Top Reserves:
G: Jadela Gaston, Sophomore
G: Pam Larocco, Sophomore
F: Inesha Johnson, Junior

Player to Watch: Breana Bey
At 23.9 points per game, Bey has been Hudson County's premier scorer this season. The 5-foot-9 junior has established herself in the paint, but showed an improving mid-range game in Wednesday's semifinal win over Secaucus. Bey will have something to prove as she was held to just eight points in the regular season against Bayonne.

X-Factor: Chaniyah Swan
Bey and Kiante Johnson give the Lions a formidable one-two punch inside, but in order to win, they will need help from the perimeter. With 37 3-pointers, Swan has been Lincoln's top outside shooter on the season. Her best outside shooting game came against Bayonne when she hit four 3-pointers and finished with 14 points.

Bayonne vs Lincoln

In the Regular Season: Bayonne 67, Lincoln 40 (Jan. 12 at Bayonne)

This much-anticipated matchup turned into a route immediately as the Bees closed the opening quarter with a 17-0 run to create a quick 21-4 lead. Tara Flynn, Lisa Rovatsos and Alex Fajardo combined for 51 points and Aneia Williams added eight points, while limiting Breana Bey to just eight points.

Key Matchup: Tara Flynn vs Timiah Calamito
The best point guard in Hudson County, Flynn had one of her best games in the first matchup with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists while holding Calamito scoreless. In order for Lincoln to get the upset, it needs Calamito to play mistake-free like she did in the second half against Secaucus when she had five points and six assists.

Senior Chaniyah Swan had a team-high 37 3-pointers for Lincoln this season. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)