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Notre Dame High School (New Jersey)

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Coordinates: 40°15′19.76″N 74°44′38.06″W / 40.2554889°N 74.7439056°W / 40.2554889; -74.7439056
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Notre Dame High School
Front of the school
Address
Map
601 Lawrence Road (US 206)

Lawrence Township
,
Mercer County
,
New Jersey
08648

United States
Coordinates40°15′19.76″N 74°44′38.06″W / 40.2554889°N 74.7439056°W / 40.2554889; -74.7439056
Information
TypePrivate, college preparatory, coeducational
Religious affiliation(s)Roman Catholic
Established1957
OversightDiocese of Trenton
NCES School ID00866498[6]
PresidentKen Jennings[2]
PrincipalMichele Martinez[2]
ChaplainRev. Jason Parzynski
Faculty68.3 (on an FTE basis)[6]
Grades9–12
Enrollment924 (as of 2019–20)[6]
Student to teacher ratio13.5:1[6]
Color(s)Blue, White and Gold
Athletics conferenceColonial Valley Conference (general)
West Jersey Football League (football)
Team nameIrish[3]
RivalLawrence High School
AccreditationCognia
PublicationEtc... (literary/art magazine)[4]
NewspaperThe Voice[5]
YearbookThe Canticle
Tuition$18,800 (class of 2027)[1]
Websitewww.ndnj.org

Notre Dame High School is a coeducational, Roman Catholic, college preparatory school in the Lawrenceville section of Lawrence Township, in Mercer County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. The school operates under the supervision of the Catholic Diocese of Trenton.[7] The school has been accredited by Cognia since 2013.[8]

As of the 2019–20 school year, the school had an enrollment of 924 students and 68.3 classroom teachers (on an FTE basis), for a student–teacher ratio of 13.5:1. The school's student body was 76.4% (706) White, 7.4% (68) Black, 5.7% (53) two or more races, 5.1% (47) Hispanic, 5.0% (46) Asian, 0.2% (2) American Indian / Alaska Native and 0.2% (2) Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander.[6]

History

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Built in 1957, Notre Dame High School is located in Lawrenceville, near Princeton University, Rider University, The College of New Jersey, The Lawrenceville School, and Hun School of Princeton. The Diocese of Trenton also neighbors the school. The main building itself is square in shape, housing classrooms on two floors. Its mascot is the "Irish," usually displayed on athletic wear as a shamrock affixed to "ND." The current president is Ken Jennings, accompanied by principal Michele Martinez.[2]

The school uses a form of block scheduling for its students. In a typical semester, a student has three 80-minute block classes and two 40-minute blocks. One of the 40-minute periods is usually reserved for a lunch period, while the other is reserved for physical education or an additional 40-minute class. There is an "activity period" between the four 80-minute blocks during the day in which students can study, take an additional lunch period, or participate in various school activities (groups, clubs, community service).

The school features a newly renovated theatre, gymnasium, student center (cafeteria), several standard classrooms, offices, film lab and science labs, school store (The Leprechaun Shop), a renovated track, wrestling room, cross country path, weight-room, two turf fields with lights and stands, tennis courts, various outdoor playing fields, media center–library, chapel, campus ministry, broadcasting studio, College & School Counseling office, and courtyard.

Parallel to the school's student parking lot flows Shabakunk Creek, which was the location of a Revolutionary War skirmish between American rebels led by Colonel Edward Hand and the British military, delaying the British before the Second Battle of Trenton. A small commemorative sign marks the spot where the battle occurred.[9][10]

Class of 2023 Student Data

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The 2023 averages of the school's SAT scores were 560 Evidence Based Reading and Writing and 547 Math. Eighteen Advanced Placement Program courses were tested. Of 374 AP exams taken, 80% of students scored a 3 or above. The class had 7 students who were recognized as Commended Scholars by the National Merit Scholarship Program, 1 National Hispanic Recognition Scholars, 2 National African American Recognition Scholars, 23 Advanced Placement scholars, 15 Advanced Placement Scholars with Honors and 19 Advanced Placement Scholars with Distinction. 99% of students went on to college.

Performing arts

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Notre Dame High School has an active performing arts department which presents three productions annually: a fall drama or comedy, a late-winter musical, and a late-spring comedy, drama, or musical. Past performances have included The Little Mermaid, Show Boat, Kiss Me, Kate, Godspell, Man of La Mancha, Inherit the Wind, Grease, West Side Story, The Crucible, Beauty and the Beast, You Can't Take It with You, Scapino!, Les Misérables, The Pajama Game, Peter Pan, Footloose, Seussical, Hairspray, Anything Goes, and, Newsies. The musicals annually perform for audiences from 3,500 to 5,000.

Along with theatrical productions, a dance program entitled Fusion, based on contemporary dance styles, is rehearsed during the fall and performs later in the winter. The dance program, which is headed by Debby Rittler Gibilisco, has three separate levels. The Performing Arts Department, led by Lou Gibilisco, offers classes such as Digital Recording, Piano Technique, and Musical Theory, along with overseeing the various musical groups in the school: Concert Choir, String Ensemble, Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Madrigal Choir (the latter two requiring auditions). The Concert Band, Fusion dance, and Madrigal all travel to Disney World (alternating every year between the Concert Band and the Madrigal/Fusion) to participate in workshops, master classes, and performances.

Athletics

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The Notre Dame High School Irish[3] participate in the Colonial Valley Conference, which is comprised of high schools from Mercer, Middlesex and Monmouth counties, and operates under the supervision of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. The football team competes in the Capitol Division of the 94-team West Jersey Football League superconference[11][12] and was classified by the NJSIAA as Non-Public Group A (equivalent to Group II for public schools) for football. The school is historically known for its football team and track program, which have both earned numerous awards and acknowledgments.

The boys soccer team won the Non-Public Group A state championship in 1961 (defeating runner-up St. Cecilia High School in the final of the tournament), 1966 (vs. St. Aloysius High School), 1967 (vs. Trenton Cathedral High School), 1970 (vs. St. Joseph High School), 1974 (vs. Christian Brothers Academy), 1975 (vs. Seton Hall Preparatory School), 1977 (vs. Seton Hall Prep), 1982 (vs. Don Bosco Preparatory High School), 1983 (vs. Hudson Catholic Regional High School), 1984 (vs. Don Bosco) and 1991 (as co-champion with Don Bosco). The program's 10 state titles are tied for fifth in the state.[13]

The girls' outdoor track and field team won the Non-Public A state championship in 1982-1985 and 1993–2000. The 12 state championships won by the girls' squad is tied for the most by any school and the eight consecutive titles won from 1993 to 2000 marks the longest streak of any school in the state.[14] Notre Dame's Sabrina Alexander won the Non-Public A state championship in the 100m hurdles in 2013. Vanessa Romulus won the Non-Public A state championship in the high jump in 2012 and 2013. Nicole Kurtain won the Non-Public A individual cross country championship in 2001.[15]

The football team won the Non-Public Group A South state sectional championship in 1983 and 1989.[16] The 1983 team won the Non-Public A South sectional title after defeating Holy Spirit High School by a score of 10-6 in the championship game.[17]

The baseball team won the Non-Public Group A state championship in 1983 (defeating Essex Catholic High School in the tournament final), 1985 (vs. Bergen Catholic High School), 1987 (vs. Bergen Catholic), 1990 (vs. Saint Joseph Regional High School), 1991 (vs. Seton Hall Preparatory School). The program's five state titles are tied for tenth in the state.[18] The 1983 team had a season record of 23-6 after winning the Parochial A title by defeating Essex Catholic by a score of 5-4 in the championship game.[19]

The girls track team won the Non-Public indoor relay state championship in 1984, won the Group III title in 1996, the group II title in 1997, and the Group I title in 2020 (as co-champion); the four state titles won by the girls program is tied for tenth in the state. The boys team won the Group III title in 2007.[20]

The girls soccer team won the Group IV title in 1985 (defeating Morris Knolls High School in the tournament final) and the Group III state championship in 1994 (as co-champion with West Morris Central High School).[21] The team won the Non-Public A South title in 2015 over Holy Cross Academy on penalty kicks, with the score tied at 2-2 after two overtimes.[22]

The field hockey team won the Central Jersey Group IV state sectional championship in 1985 and 1987, and won the title in Central Jersey Group III in 1994.[23]

The boys track team won the Non-Public Group A spring / outdoor track state championship in 1992, 1996, 1997 and 2005.[24]

The Notre Dame girls' basketball team won the Non-Public A state championships in 1995 (against runner-up Immaculate Heart Academy in the finals) and in 1996 (vs. Paramus Catholic High School).[25] In 2014, the girls' basketball team won the Mercer County Tournament championship for the eighth time, defeating Hopewell Valley Central High School by a score of 49–35 in the tournament final.[26]

The girls track team won the indoor track Group III state championship in 1996 and won in Group II in 1997.[27] The boys team won the Group II title in 1997 and the Group III title in 1998.[28]

The softball team won the Non-Public A state championship in 2006 and 2007, defeating Mount Saint Dominic Academy in the tournament final both years.[29] The team won the 2007 South A state sectional championship with a 2–1 win over Red Bank Catholic High School in the tournament final.[30] The team then won the Non-Public Group A state championship with a 1–0 win over Mount Saint Dominic Academy to finish the season with a record of 26-4.[31][32] NJ.com / The Star-Ledger ranked Notre Dame as their number-one softball team in the state in 2007.[33]

The tennis team won the 1999 South A state sectional championship with a 4–1 win over Monsignor Donovan High School in the tournament final at Veterans Park.[34]

The Notre Dame golf team won their first Mercer County Golf Championship in 2009, ending a 23-year drought with a total team score of 314, six shots better than the closest team.[35]

The boys' swim team capped their 2009–10 season undefeated and went on to win the Mercer County Tournament for the third straight year.[36][37]

In 2019, Angelina Romero became the first wrestler in the school's history to place at states, coming in second in the 118-lb. girl's category during the New Jersey State tournament in Atlantic City.[38]

Notable alumni

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See also: Category:Notre Dame High School (New Jersey) alumni

References

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  1. ^ Affording Notre Dame, Notre Dame High School. Accessed June 30, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Governance, Notre Dame High School. Accessed September 28, 2022.
  3. ^ a b Notre Dame High School, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed October 20, 2020.
  4. ^ Student Life, Notre Dame High School. Accessed September 28, 2022.
  5. ^ The Voice, Notre Dame High School. Accessed September 28, 2022.
  6. ^ a b c d e School data for Notre Dame High School, National Center for Education Statistics. Accessed March 10, 2022.
  7. ^ Catholic School Directory, Roman Catholic Diocese of Trenton. Accessed December 4, 2023.
  8. ^ Find Accredited and Certified Institutions, Cognia. Accessed March 26, 2024.
  9. ^ "Revolutionary War Site - Shabakunk Creek Marker". Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  10. ^ "Lawrenceville, New Jersey Revolutionary War Sites". Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  11. ^ Notre Dame Fighting Irish, West Jersey Football League. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  12. ^ Home Page, West Jersey Football League. Accessed May 1, 2023. "The WJFL is a 94-school super conference that stretches from Princeton to Wildwood encompassing schools from the Colonial Valley Conference, the Burlington County Scholastic League, the Olympic Conference, the Tri-County Conference, the Colonial Conference, and the Cape Atlantic League. The WJFL is made up of sixteen divisions with divisional alignments based on school size, geography and a strength-of-program component."
  13. ^ NJSIAA History of Boys Soccer, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  14. ^ NJSIAA Girls Spring Track Summary of Group Titles, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  15. ^ NJSIAA Girls Cross Country State Group Champions, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  16. ^ NJSIAA Football History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  17. ^ Iannuzzi, Sam. "Notre Dame edges Holy Spirit", Courier-Post, December 4, 1983. Accessed February 22, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Notre Dame High School used stingy defense and 10 first-quarter points to capture the Group A State football championship, 10-7, over Holy Spirit yesterday."
  18. ^ Baseball Championship History: 1959–2024, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated September 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.
  19. ^ "Notre Dame stops Essex as Navarro leads way", Courier-Post, June 12, 1983. Accessed January 27, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Len Navarro hurled 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief yesterday as Notre Dame High School won the NJSIAA Parochial A baseball crown with a 5-4 triumph over Essex Catholic.... Notre Dame finished the season with a 23-6 record."
  20. ^ History of the NJSIAA Indoor Relay Championships, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  21. ^ NJSIAA History of Girls Soccer, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  22. ^ Staff. "Notre Dame at Holy Cross, NJSIAA Tournament, Round, South Jersey, Non-Public A, NJ.com, November 12, 2015. Accessed May 9, 2016.
  23. ^ History of NJSIAA Field Hockey Championships, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  24. ^ NJSIAA Boys Spring Track Summary of Group Titles, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed May 1, 2023.
  25. ^ Girls Basketball Championship History: 1919–2024, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated March 2024. Accessed September 1, 2024.
  26. ^ Staff. "Hopewell Valley (35) at Notre Dame (49), Mercer County Tournament, Final Round - Girls Basketball", The Star-Ledger, March 1, 2014. Accessed October 10, 2015. "Camille Duncan, who entered the game in the second quarter, hit three 3-pointers and finished with 15 points to lead second-seeded Notre Dame past top-seeded Hopewell Valley in the Mercer County Tournament championship, 49-35, yesterday at Rider University in Lawrenceville... It never relinquished that lead on its way to an eighth Mercer County Tournament title."
  27. ^ Girls Winter Track and Field Championship History: 1922-2023, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated November 2023. Accessed February 1, 2024.
  28. ^ Boys Winter Track and Field Championship History: 1922-2023, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated November 2023. Accessed February 1, 2024.
  29. ^ Softball Championship History 1972–2023, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association, updated July 2023. Accessed April 1, 2024.
  30. ^ 2007 Softball - South A, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed June 11, 2007.
  31. ^ 2007 Softball - Non-Public Finals, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed June 12, 2007.
  32. ^ "Catalano leads Governor Livingston to first state title", Asbury Park Press, June 10, 2007. Accessed January 6, 2021, via Newspapers.com. "Notre Dame 1, Mount St. Dominic 0: Notre Dame pitcher Ali Tolinson had her first at-bat interrupted by a runner getting picked off third base to end the inning.... In her third at-bat, she ripped a single to center in the top of the fourth that brought home Amy DeLuca, and that's all she would need as the Irish held on for a victory over Mount St. Dominic in the NJSIAA Non-Public A Softball final. Tomlinson (23-4) tossed a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts as the Irish (26-4) pounded out six hits against Mount St. Dominic (25-5) pitcher Amanda Stacevicz (15-2)."
  33. ^ "Softball: Every No. 1 team in the state from 1979 to 2015", NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, June 21, 2015, updated August 24, 2019. Accessed January 4, 2021. "Following are the teams that finished as the NJ.com No. 1 softball team in the state with year and record.... 2007: Notre Dame (26-4)"
  34. ^ Staff. "Undaunted Ocean downs Princeton in CJ III final", Asbury Park Press, May 26, 1999. Accessed September 1, 2011. "Notre Dame 4, Monsignor Donovan 1: Straight-set victories at first and second doubles powered the Irish (12-4) to a South Jersey Parochial A victory over the Griffins (13-3)."
  35. ^ Mercer County Tournament History - Boys Golf Champions, Mercer County Tournament Association. Accessed October 10, 2015.
  36. ^ 2009-10 Photo Gallery, Mercer County Tournament Association. Accessed September 1, 2011. "Notre Dame's Joe LeBender swims the freestyle leg of the 200 individual medley at the MCT. The Irish took first in the 200 IM and won their third straight county title."
  37. ^ Pratico, Mark, II. "Irish eyes smile for a third time", The Trentonian, February 10, 2010. Accessed September 1, 2011. "In a meet that will not be soon forgotten because of the countless implausible performances, the Irish reigned supreme in the Mercer County Meet for the third straight year with a score of 241, and they did it without a single first place individual swim, proving it takes a sincere team effort to win the meet."
  38. ^ NJSIAA Girls Wrestling State Tournament Championship History, New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Accessed November 20, 2020.
  39. ^ "Funeral Announcement and Obituary". finddavidbird.info. March 18, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2016.
  40. ^ Reilly, Megan. "2015 Hall of Fame Inductees" Archived June 27, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Notre Dame High School, April 15, 2015. Accessed December 13, 2018. "Notre Dame is proud to announce and congratulate the 2015 Alumni Hall of Fame Inductees.... This year's inductees are as follows:... Edward Bloor '68- Award winning Author and Novelist"
  41. ^ Franklin, Paul. "After long journey, Michelle Campbell finds herself in the WNBA", The Times, June 3, 2013. Accessed November 2, 2017. "At Rutgers, even though she would be a 1,000-point scorer, Michelle Campbell never received the attention afforded to players like Cappie Pondexter and Chelsea Newton, or even younger teammates Essence Carson, Matee Ajavon and Kia Vaughn.... The Notre Dame High School graduate, who grew up in Princeton with three sisters, pursued her passion."
  42. ^ Biography, New York State Senator Martin Connor. Accessed November 2, 2017. "Born in 1945 in Trenton, New Jersey, Senator Connor attended parochial schools, graduating first in his class from Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey."
  43. ^ Nneka Ezeigbo, Robert Morris Colonials women's basketball. Accessed March 26, 2024. "Hometown: Ewing, N.J. High School: Notre Dame"
  44. ^ Goldschmiedt, Megan. "'Sandlot' actor arrested for alleged assault on Texas cop" Archived April 17, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, The Trentonian, August 7, 2013. Accessed October 21, 2014. "Guiry, 32, was born in Trenton. He attended St. Gregory the Great Catholic Elementary School in Hamilton and Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville."
  45. ^ Rich Gunnell, Kansas City Chiefs. Accessed February 4, 2011. "Earned third-team all-state honors in each of his final three seasons at Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, New Jersey"
  46. ^ Britton, Jennifer. "CYO Basketball Hall of Fame honors 2012 inductees" Archived June 1, 2019, at the Wayback Machine, The Monitor, November 29, 2012. Accessed November 2, 2017. "Among the male players inducted were; Jules “Skip” Harlicka, St. Hedwig. He continued his career at Notre Dame where he was named an All-City, All-State, and All-American player."
  47. ^ Scott Horta Archived May 2, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, Towson Tigers. Accessed February 4, 2011.
  48. ^ "Canticle 1993". August 4, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  49. ^ Star Jones profile, The New York Times, accessed April 6, 2007.
  50. ^ Gray, Jerry. "Television's 'Lottery Guy' Strives to Stay in Senate", The New York Times, September 4, 1992. Accessed November 2, 2017. "Richard Joseph LaRossa Born: July 1, 1946; Trenton. Hometown: Trenton. Education: Notre Dame High School, Trenton"
  51. ^ Hunt, Christopher. "Moran to live dream in NYC marathon", ESPN New York, November 2, 2011. Accessed October 21, 2014. "After his parents moved to Lawrenceville when he was 6, Moran started running as a sophomore at Notre Dame High School in New Jersey."
  52. ^ O'Gorman, George. "Harrisburg QB and Notre Dame High grad E.J. Nemeth enjoys Mother's Day Homecoming", The Trentonian, May 14, 2014. Accessed October 21, 2014. "The former Notre Dame High quarterback great did get to see mom, presenting her a bouquet, after his Harrisburg Stampede team got beat by the Trenton Freedom, 52-38."
  53. ^ Fisher, Rich. "Former Notre Dame High star Jake Nerwinski selected seventh overall by Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS SuperDraft", The Trentonian, January 13, 2017. Accessed October 23, 2017. "Friday the 13th will go down as the luckiest day in Jake Nerwinski's life up to this point. On a date usually associated with misfortune, the 2013 Notre Dame High School graduate made the entire Mercer County soccer community proud on Friday when the Vancouver Whitecaps made him the No. 7 overall pick in Major League Soccer's Super Draft in Los Angeles."
  54. ^ "Class Notes", p. 39. ND Journal, Fall 2016. Accessed August 13, 2018. "Bob Picozzi '68 was selected for the WSOU Hall of Fame. WSOU is the student radio station at Bob's alma mater, Seton Hall."
  55. ^ Furman, T.J. "Bordentown native creates MTV cartoon: Cable network's newest show to premiere Tuesday", Princeton Packet, July 31, 1999. Accessed April 30, 2014. "Chris Prynoski said he always doodled during his classes at Clara Barton Elementary School, MacFarland Junior School and Notre Dame High School in Lawrence, Mercer County."
  56. ^ Sherman, Steve. "Soccer: Popularity aside, a new skill is mastered in Bristol", Bucks Local News, August 22, 2012. Accessed November 2, 2017. "'You can’t just stand there flat-footed,' said Robinson, a former Trenton resident and three-time All-American at Adelphi University (1990) who graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1986."
  57. ^ Reilly, Megan. 2015 Hall of Fame Inductees Archived June 27, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, Notre Dame High School, April 15, 2015. Accessed May 13, 2015.
  58. ^ Karas, David. "Paralympian credits family, Catholic school for his success as athlete" Archived August 24, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, Catholic News Service, August 2, 2012. Accessed May 14, 2013. "On Brian Siemann's first day at Notre Dame High School in Lawrence in 2004, Coach Joe McLaughlin invited the young man who required a wheelchair for his mobility to do something he had never before considered."
  59. ^ Bob Terlecki, Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed May 14, 2020. "Born: February 14, 1945 (Age: 75-090d) in Trenton, NJ; High School: Notre Dame HS (Lawrenceville, NJ)"
  60. ^ O'Gorman, George. "Notre Dame grad Tiquan Underwood inactive for homecoming against Giants", The Trentonian, November 29, 2010. Accessed February 4, 2011.
  61. ^ Staff. "Verrelli Sworn in to Represent 15th District", Inside NJ, August 6, 2018. Accessed December 13, 2018. "Verrelli, who resides in Hopewell Township with his wife and daughter, graduated from Notre Dame High School in Lawrence before working as a carpenter."
  62. ^ Fisher, Rich. "Huge second half pushes Notre Dame boys basketball past Trenton", The Trentonian, January 11, 2016. Accessed June 30, 2023. "Notre Dame also ran a more patient offense after breaking Trenton’s press, as Mike Walley (13 points) hit all three of his 3-pointers after the break. Seniors Sean Hoggs (24) and Troy Jones (23) also benefited from the pace but the true eye-opener was Isaiah Wong, the freshman from South Brunswick, scored 12 of his 21 points in the second half on a variety of penetration moves."
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