WEST ORANGE — In a clash of North Jersey titans that lived up to the physical expectations—if not the offensive ones—St. Peter’s Prep extended its dominant winning streak to ten games with a gritty 50-41 victory over Seton Hall Prep on Thursday night.
Entering the Frank J. Tracey Gymnasium with a head of steam, the Marauders (13-1) relied on a suffocating defensive scheme and timely execution to hand the Pirates (10-5) their second consecutive loss. For Seton Hall Prep, it was a night of missed opportunities on Bob Farrell Court, as they struggled to find a consistent rhythm against one of the state’s most disciplined units.
The first half was a masterclass in “grind-it-out” basketball. St. Peter’s Prep, known for outscoring opponents by nearly 27 points per game during their streak, found a much stiffer test in the Pirates’ zone. However, the Marauders’ own defensive intensity was the story of the night. By halftime, the scoreboard reflected a low-scoring affair that favored the Marauders’ pace, as they entered the locker room with a 28-19 advantage. They successfully forced the Pirates into contested jumpers and limited second-chance opportunities by dominating the glass.
The Marauders’ bench proved vital, contributing a staggering 32 of the team’s 50 points, a depth advantage the Pirates simply couldn’t match. As the second half progressed, this depth began to wear on the home team. While Seton Hall Prep saw flashes from senior Daniel Beazer and junior Anthony Gonzalez, they couldn’t string together the 8-0 or 10-0 run needed to flip the momentum. St. Peter’s Prep showcased why they are ranked No. 9 in New Jersey, matching the Pirates’ 22-point second-half output to seal the win. Every time the Pirates pulled within two possessions, the Marauders answered with poise.
The Marauders’ offense was anchored by TJ Robinson, who provided a spark off the bench with a team-high 11 points on 3-of-9 shooting while going 4-of-5 from the free-throw line. He was supported by Adetokunbo Bakare, who added nine points—all coming from beyond the arc where he shot 2-of-6—and Zaakir Williamson, who chipped in seven points and a rebound.
On the other side, Seton Hall Prep’s efforts were led by freshman Bryce McCray, who turned in a strong performance with 12 points. Senior Anthony Gonzalez facilitated the offense with nine points and matched his season average of eight assists, but the Pirates’ inability to find a third consistent scoring option ultimately proved to be their undoing in the final minutes.
This victory is a significant statement for St. Peter’s Prep as they climb the North Jersey rankings. By taking down the fourth-ranked Pirates on their home court, the Marauders have solidified their case for a top-5 spot in next week’s polls. For Seton Hall Prep, the loss marks a difficult stretch, having dropped two straight against high-caliber Non-Public A competition.
The road doesn’t get any easier for the Marauders, who travel to take on Bergen Catholic (ranked No. 2 in the Garden State) this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Caldwell University. This Top-10 showdown will be a litmus test for both programs as they eye the upcoming county and state tournaments. Seton Hall Prep will look to snap their skid on Tuesday when they host Newark Tech, hoping to find the offensive spark that was missing Thursday night.
