Tracking the MCT Preliminary games
The seeds and match up’s for the 2007 MCT are all set. Let’s take a look at the preliminary match ups. These games are set to be played this week, although really only need to be played on or before February 2. Most teams set aside Saturday, January 27 for this game. The Round of 16 is to be held on the February 3rd at the higher seed.
The top 7 teams have received byes until February 3rd. (1) Morris Catholic; (2) Mountain Lakes; (3) West Morris; (4) Hanover Park; (5) Morristown; (6) Kinnelon; and (7) Chatham.
Here are the previews as of Sunday January 21, starting with games from the top of the brackets:
#17 Par Hills at #16 Boonton: Boonton comes in at 8-6 and is sporting a 3 game winning streak and is lead by Jen Vasta. The junior is averaging 13 points a game and has put up double digits nine times this season. The Boonton will face Newark-Arts on Tuesday and Mountain Lakes on Friday; both early season losses for the Bombers.
Par Hills holds the upset of the year, thus far. The Viking knocked off an undefeated and first place West Essex on Friday. The next day, the Vikings suffered a 56-47 loss to Jefferson. The Vikings are 3-8 and match up with Weequahic and Morris Hills before Saturday’s match up. Bella Galvez has averaged just about 14 points in her last two games for the Vikings.
Prediction: Look for the Lady Vikings to slow down the Bombers, who are averaging 43 points a game. Par Hills.
#26 Dover at #8 Mendham: Both Hills Division teams, this will be meeting #2 of the season out of 3. Mendham has already knocked off the Tigers by 23, a 58-25 victory on 1/12. Mendham is now healthy and stronger. The Minutemen have won 6 straight and 8 of the last 9.
Prediction: Mendham beats Dover for the second time this season. Mendham
#25 Madison at #9 Butler: This sets up two games in 3 days between the Suburban Division foes. Butler took the #9 seed despite an overall 11-1 record. Butler topped the Dodgers by 32 on December 19th. Madison’s only win has come over Dover. Can the third time a charm for the Dodgers?
Prediction: Butler will keep its part of that bargain and sets up a great Quarter-finals with Mendham. Butler
#21 Montville at #12 Morris Hills: Montville has lost 5 of the last 6 walking into the seeding meeting. The Mustangs are 3-7 on the season and have just lost to Hills Division Parsippany. Morris Hills has beaten Parsippany, but ironically the Scarlet Knights are 0-3 at home. Throw in the Christmas Tournament that makes the Knights 1-4 on their home court.
Prediction: Look for the Scarlet Knights to take this one. Morris Hills
#20 Mt. Olive at #13 Whippany Park: Mt. Olive has been held under 30 points in 5 of their 11 games. The Marauders have lost two straight since defeating Livingston and Glen Rock on January 12th and 13th. Whippany is 7-6 but has been in 4 of their 6 losses. The Wildcats have scored 49 or more in all their wins. The Wildcats have had scoring help lately from Kelly Griffith and Jocelyn Wilson when teams focus on Devin Feeney.
Prediction: The Wildcats excel at holding teams to low outputs. Defense is key in this match up, and Mt. Olive can come through with an upset here. Whippany Park
#19 Pequannock at #14 Parsippany: Pequannock comes in at 5-6 and the Red Hawks are 5-5 (entering this week). The Red Hawks are coming off a 54-36 victory over Montville. The Panthers had won three straight before dropping one to Villa Walsh. Pequannock had edged Montville back on December 20th and will need Lisa Martin and Nicole Ramirez to put up double digits if they want to pull the upset.
Prediction: Both teams are improving, but Parsippany is right there. The Red Hawks gave Chatham a run for their money earlier this week and maybe be peeking at the right time. Parsippany
#22 Morristown-Beard at #11 Villa Walsh: Villa could easily have been a top 10 seed. The Vikings have beat Butler by double digits at Butler, but hold an 8-3 record overall. The Vikings can score and have topped 42 points in all of their wins.
Prediction: Look for Villa Walsh to hit 50 points and advance. The victory sets up a rematch of the Colts Round Holiday tournament with Kinnelon. Villa suffered a 44 defeat to the #6 seed and maybe looking to for revenge. Villa Walsh
#23 St. Elizabeth’s at #10 Roxbury: The Academy of St. Elizabeth’s has had a few close losses, (7 to Lakeland, 2 to Pingry, 1 to DePaul), but Roxbury is a much stronger team. Roxbury has a tough schedule and will not over look a MCT game.
Prediction: Roxbury is a young team and this may affect the Gaels early in the game. The Gaels host East Orange on Friday, but should be able to come back strong on Saturday. Roxbury will pull away in the last 2 quarters. Roxbury
#18 Morris Knolls at #15 Randolph: Randolph has beaten Knolls early this week. The Rams better the Eagles 36-33. Candice Sphock can score and has held the leading scoring role while the Rams wait for Kathleen Naddiff to return from an injury. Throw Naddaff back in the picture by Saturday the Rams maybe able to get another one. Knolls had led the game at the half and may not be happy about letting that one slip away. This should be a great game.
Prediction: This is the toughest game to call. These teams know each other, no matter who is on the court and it’s a rivalry that adds fuel to the fire. Naddiff is solid on the boards and masters the put back, if she’s back, that’s the difference. Randolph
You can see that favorites and higher seeds are easy to pick. Par Hills, Mt. Olive and Morris Knolls can very easily pull an upset. You’d like think it’s that easy – but – it was a week of upsets in Morris County … Who’s the next Par Hills?
Schools that reach the Quarterfinals will play either at Morris Knolls or Kinnelon. The Semi-Finals and Finals will be held at FDU in Madison, as they have been for years. The Semi’s are dated for February 16, 6:00 and 7:30. The Final match will be February 23 at 7:00.
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