Basketball preview

Matchups for three weekend tournaments,

Ridgewood hasn't set foot in the semifinals of the Bergen County Jamboree in more than a quarter century.

So the Maroons are excited about advancing to Saturday's boys basketball semifinals of the 65th Bergen Jamboree, where they'll face top-seeded Don Bosco.

“I'm just really excited for the kids, because the kids are aware of the history, too,” Ridgewood coach Mike Troy said.

Ridgewood history says it last reached the semifinals in 1994, when current freshman Johnny Jackson's dad was on the team that reached the final and lost to Bergen Catholic. The Maroons haven't won the title in half a century.

Here's a look at this weekend's semifinal matchups for the Bergen Jamboree, Bergen Invitational Tournament, and Passaic Tournament. (Records through Monday's games.)

Bergen County Jamboree

Saturday at Hackensack

The top four seeds advanced to the semifinals of this 24-team event, with the winners returning to Hackensack on Feb. 26 for the 1 p.m. final.

(3) Ramapo (15-4) vs. (2) Bergen Catholic (15-7), 1 p.m.

Ramapo never has won the Jamboree and reached its lone final in 1993. The Green Raiders' 39-32 quarterfinal win over Saddle River Day was their fourth consecutive victory.

The lineup is dominated by sophomores, led by point guard Peyton Seals. Junior Nate Burleson is among North Jersey's best three-point shooters. They need to force a moderate tempo and make perimeter shots.

Bergen Catholic has won 10 Jamboree titles, most recently in 2019. Center Terry Copeland and guard Elliot Cadeau, among North Jersey's top sophomores, have been sidelined with injuries. Will they see action?

Regardless, the Crusaders are explosive. Senior Julian Brown hit a tournament-record nine three-pointers and the Crusaders scored a tournament-record for points in a 107-66 quarterfinal win over Dwight-Englewood.

(4) Ridgewood (18-2) vs. (1) Don Bosco (19-3), 3 p.m.

Ridgewood has won three Jamboree titles, but its last crown came in 1972. The Maroons' last trip to the semifinals was in 1994, when the No. 10 seed knocked off No. 6 Hackensack.

The Maroons' 48-44 quarterfinal win marked their eighth consecutive win, following a 59-37 loss to Don Bosco. Senior forward Nicky Crane is the centerpiece of a disciplined, opportunistic team that includes senior guards Sam Saraceno and Marcus Phillips.

Don Bosco has won 10 Jamboree titles, most recently in 2018. The Ironmen remained No. 1 in the North Jersey Top 25 rankings following a 73-41 quarterfinal win over Pascack Hills that stretched their winning streak to 10.

They feature arguably North Jersey's best all-around player, sophomore Dylan Harper. A balanced lineup also includes freshman Brady Loughlin, who emerged with five three-pointers and scored a game-high 16 against Pascack Hills.

Passaic County Tournament Saturday at Clifton

The Passaic tournament also featured the top four seeds sweeping quarterfinals. Semifinal winners advance to the championship at noon on Feb. 26 at Wayne Valley.

(3) Wayne Valley (16-4) vs. (2) Kennedy (16-5), Noon

Wayne Valley never has won the Passaic title. The Indians last reached the final in 2016. Their 33-29 quarterfinal win over Wayne Hills marked their seventh consecutive victory.

The Indians lost last month in overtime to Kennedy, 70-69. A veteran lineup that includes seniors Nick Ender and Frankie DeDio needs to share scoring duties, force a moderate tempo and limit turnovers.

Kennedy has won a record 14 Passaic titles, most recently in 2020, when it defeated Paterson rival Eastside in the final, 84-54.

The Knights are a veteran team that features seniors JayQuan Briggs and Yasen Crawford.

Freshman Z'yaire Simmons has emerged and scored a game-high 29 in the 89-54 quarterfinal win over Passaic Valley.

(4) Eastside (18-2) vs. (1) Paterson Charter (19-1), 2 p.m.

Eastside has won 11 Passaic titles, most recently in 2016. The Ghosts' 4948 quarterfinal victory over DePaul lifted them to a North Jersey-leading 15game winning streak.

The Ghosts are best with balanced scoring, and that means production from juniors Bryce Stokes and Preston Brown and seniors O'Shamiar Majette and Coz Harmon.

Paterson Charter, from the smallschool NJIC, began participating in the Passaic tournament in 2015 and never has won the title. The Lions reached their first semifinal in 2020, losing to Eastside, 59-56.

Saturday's 80-52 quarterfinal win over Passaic Tech stretched their winning streak to 11. Seniors Asim Jones, Jahsair Rosa, Marlon Harris, Jamir Belfield and Moshe Wilson must maintain poise.

Bergen Invitational Tournament Sunday at St. Joseph

The BIT, created for teams not qualifying for the Jamboree, often serves as a springboard for programs heading into the state tournament. The champion of this 16-team event will win four games, culminating with the final Feb. 26 at St. Joseph.

Northern Highlands (7-16) vs. Paramus Catholic (10-11), Noon

Northern Highlands has won a record three BIT titles (2011, 2016, 2020). The Highlanders have bounced back from a 1-10 start.

They showed a balanced attack in a 61-42 quarterfinal win over Ridgefield Park, with senior Jed Katz scoring nine and juniors Gavin Phillips, Jack Boydell and Ryan Mattessich seven apiece.

Paramus Catholic won the BIT in 2013. The Paladins have played a tough schedule and have picked it up following a 2-7 start.

They have played much better since senior Chase Jackson returned from an injury, and he scored a game-high 16 in the 55-41 quarterfinal win over Fair Lawn. Junior center Precise Clarke will be a factor inside.

Paramus (10-9) vs. Glen Rock (14-6), 1:30 p.m.

Paramus is enjoying one of its best seasons in decades. The Spartans' 6644 quarterfinal win over Garfield was their fourth victory in five games.

Seniors Nick Rennar, Mason Bellinger and John Tarabokija combined for 39 points against Garfield, with Tarabokija scoring a team-high 18.

Glen Rock is the lone representative from the NJIC and no NJIC team has won the BIT.

The Panthers played a difficult earlyseason schedule that prepared them to battle Big North foes.

They carried a nine-game winning streak into Tuesday action. Ryan Burke scored 18 and fellow senior Colin Boisits 16 in the 53-38 quarterfinal win over Westwood. They will need similar performances.