PISCATAWAY – Two Newark schools dethroned the defending champions to sweep the 2026 NJSIAA Group 1 basketball titles on March 15 inside Jersey Mike’s Arena. Arts took down New Providence 57-45 in the girls’ championship, while Shabazz defeated Thrive Charter 51-48 in the boys’ title game.
No. 14 Shabazz Fends Off No. 17 Thrive Charter in Thriller
A match-up of two schools from two of the Garden State’s toughest cities, Newark against Trenton, it was not surprising when that matchup manifested itself as a tough test on the hardwood in the 2026 Group 1 Boys Basketball State Championship game.
With points at a premium, whoever could be the tougher team would come out on top. And, while both teams displayed their toughness and grit by fighting for rebounds and diving for loose balls, it was Newark’s Malcom X. Shabazz High School that ultimately came out victorious.
Elijah Colon led the way offensively for Shabazz, scoring a game-high 22 points. Anthony Blackmon contributed an additional 16 points for the Bulldogs. It was also, ultimately, a Blackmon layup with 1:35 left in the game that gave Shabazz the lead for good, and a pair of key baskets down the stretch from Colon that helped the Bulldogs keep that lead.
Tyler Hammond and Sean Turner led the way for Thrive Charter with Hammond scoring 13 points and Turner adding 11. Marjon Skillman was a force on the glass, grabbing eight rebounds for the Titans, and Javion Cesar-Jones nabbed six of Thrive’s 16 steals.
With the win, Shabazz earned their first state championship in 16 years and finishes their season 29-1, with the lone loss coming in the Essex County Tournament semifinals against Seton Hall Prep. Thrive Charter ends their season with a 22-6 record.
Defense and a Balanced Offense Leads Arts Past New Providence
In sports, it is often said that “offense wins games, but defense wins championships.” So, with a stifling defense that has been their calling card all season, it should have come as no surprise that the Arts High School girls basketball team, ranked No. 15 in New Jersey, was primed to upset ninth-ranked and defending champion New Providence in the 2026 NJSIAA Group 1 Girls Basketball Championship.
The Jaguar defense displayed a master class in thievery, snatching 14 steals, twice as many as the Pioneers, with Nilah Rivera’s six thefts leading the way.
Rivera also led the Arts offense, scoring 19 points and handing out four assists, while grabbing five rebounds. Harmoni Burgess added 16 points and six boards for Arts.
On the other side of the ball, Annie Conover did everything she could to will New Providence to victory, finishing the game with a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. However, unlike Arts, New Providence struggled to find consistent scoring from other sources, with Haley Kessler being the only other Pioneer to score in double-figures, and just barely at that, knocking down 10 points.
With the win, Arts finishes their season 27-4 and earns their first-ever girls basketball state championship. New Providence concludes their season with a 29-2 record.
