Pope John wins the 2026 H/W/S Girls Basketball Championship. — (Photo by Christopher Shannon/OnNJ Sports)

February 20, 2026

IMAGES: Pope John Bests Rival Sparta for H/W/S Girls Basketball Crown

basketball , high school basketball , high school sports , Mia Washington , Moira Sweeney , NJ sports , Pope John , Sparta

2026 Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Girls Basketball Championship - Pope John vs. Sparta

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Action from the 2026 Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Girls Basketball Championship between Pope John and Sparta on Feb. 20, 2026. (Photo by Christopher Shannon/OnNJ Sports)

Sparta led after one quarter of play, but Pope John ultimately defeated their crosstown rivals 45-38 to secure their second Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Girls Basketball Championship in program history on Feb. 20, 2026 at Hackettstown High School.

Mia Washington recorded a double-double to lead Pope John with a game high 22 points and 11 rebounds. Natalija Novkovic also scored in double-figures for the Lions finishing the game with 10 points.

Sparta was led by Moira Sweeney, who scored 18 points, all from behind the three-point arc. Brooke Shust added an additional nine points for the Spartans.

Pope John will next host St. Elizabeth in the opening round of the Non-Public A Tournament on Feb. 26, and Sparta will welcome Morris Knolls for the first round of the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 3 Tournament on Feb. 25.

About the Author

Christopher Shannon

Photo Editor

Christopher is the Photo Editor at OnNJ Sports. You can often find Christopher along the sidelines at sporting events in Northern Jersey, or at West Point photographing athletic, and other, events there. Christopher’s favorite events that he has had the opportunity to cover, so far in his career, include Penn State football White Out games and Army-Navy football games. While Christopher enjoys photographing a wide variety of sports, his favorite to cover include football, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, and lacrosse.