Union County waits a little longer than most counties to seed their basketball tournaments.
However, once seeded, they seem to go pretty quickly.
The 41st annual girls’ tournament included 20 of the 24 teams in the Union County Conference. Those opting not to participate were Sky Division teams Roselle, Roselle Park, Brearley and Benedictine Academy.
The only other team in Union County not in the tournament is Mother Seton Regional of Clark, which competes as a member of the Greater Middlesex Conference.
All top eight seeds advanced to the quarterfinals, which will take place Feb. 19 at Johnson and at Rahway, with starting times of 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The top side of the bracket will clash at Johnson, with fifth-seeded Union taking on fourth-seeded Roselle Catholic at 6 p.m. and then eighth-seeded Westfield facing defending champion The Patrick School of Elizabeth at 7:30 p.m.
Both are re-matches of the last two championship games. Roselle Catholic defeated Union in the 2014 final at Kean, with Roselle Catholic capturing its fifth title and Union reaching the final for the first time since winning its only crown in 2000.
The Patrick School defeated Westfield in last year’s final at Kean, winning the tournament for the first time. The Celtics are the top seed for the first time this year. Westfield reached the final last year for the first time since winning its only crown in 2008.
The bottom side of the bracket at Rahway features sixth-seeded Summit vs. third-seeded Cranford at 6 p.m. and then seventh-seeded Gov. Livingston vs. second-seeded New Providence at 7:30.
New Providence, in 1990; Summit, in 1999; and Cranford, in 2006; have captured the tournament once. GL has won the tourney twice, winning back-to-back crowns in 2012 and 2013.
GIRLS’ QUARTERFINALS:
Friday, Feb. 19
TOP SIDE OF THE BRACKET
At Johnson
5-Union vs. 4-Roselle Catholic, 6 p.m.
8-Westfield vs. 1-Patrick School, 7:30
BOTTOM SIDE OF THE BRACKET
At Rahway
6-Summit vs. 3-Cranford, 6 p.m.
7-Gov. Livingston vs. 2-New Providence, 7:30
TOP 8 SEEDS ALSO READY TO GO FOR BOYS’ QUARTERS
The boys’ 80th tournament – the oldest county tournament in the state – continues Feb. 19 with its quarterfinals.
Seeds 8 through 5 advanced to the quarterfinals by winning two tournament games each, joining the top 4 seeds, who receive automatic bye.
BOYS’ QUARTERFINALS:
Saturday, Feb. 20 at Rahway and Johnson
Games at which of the two sites still to be determined.
TOP SIDE OF THE BRACKET:
8-Plainfield vs. 1-The Patrick School of Elizabeth
5-Westfield vs. 4- Union Catholic
BOTTOM SIDE OF THE BRACKET:
7-Union vs. 2-Roselle Catholic
6-St. Mary’s vs. 3- Linden
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
UNION COUNTY
TOURNAMENT
•
SEEDS:
1-The Patrick School
2-Roselle Catholic
3-Linden
4-Union Catholic
5-Westfield
6-St. Mary’s, Elizabeth
7-Union
8-Plainfield
9-Rahway
10-Summit
11-Cranford
12-Roselle
13-Elizabeth
14-Johnson
15-Hillside
16-Oratory Prep
17-Gov. Livingston
18-New Providence
19-Scotch Plains
20-Dayton
21-Koinonia Academy
(Plainfield)
•
PRELIMINARY/
PLAY-IN GAME:
Thursday, Feb. 11
Dayton 60, Koinonia 34
•
FIRST ROUND:
Friday, Feb. 12
Roselle 75, Elizabeth 71
Saturday, Feb. 13
Plainfield 78, Gov. Livingston 42
Union 73, New Providence 31
Cranford 60, Johnson 50
Summit 65, Hillside 51
Rahway 51, Oratory Prep 44
Westfield 73, Dayton 51
Tuesday, Feb. 16
St. Mary’s 78, Scotch Plains 51
•
SECOND ROUND:
Tuesday, Feb. 16
Plainfield 70, Rahway 67
Wednesday, Feb. 17
Westfield 73, Roselle 50
St. Mary’s 59, Cranford 49
Union 62, Summit 55
•
QUARTERFINALS:
Saturday, Feb. 20
Doubleheaders
at Rahway and Johnson, TBA
Receiving byes into
the quarterfinals:
1-The Patrick School
2-Roselle Catholic
3-Linden – the defending champ
4-Union Catholic
TOP SIDE OF BRACKET
8-Plainfield vs. 1-Patrick School
5-Westfield vs. 4-Union Catholic
BOTTOM SIDE OF BRACKET
7-Union vs. 2-Roselle Catholic
6-St. Mary’s vs. 3-Linden
•
SEMIFINALS:
Tuesday, Feb. 23 and
Wednedsay Feb. 24
At Kean University
Times to be determined
•
FINALS:
Saturday, Feb. 27
At Kean University
Junior Varsity: 4 p.m.
Varsity: 6 p.m.
FRANK J. CICARELL UCT BOYS’ BASKETBALL
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SCORES, WINNING COACHES:
2015: Linden 60, Roselle Catholic 56 – Phil Colicchio – at Kean
2014: Patrick School 62, Linden 54 – Chris Chevannes – at Kean
2013: Patrick School 44, Linden 42 – Chris Chevannes – at Kean
2012: Plainfield 72, Roselle Catholic 66 – Jeff Lubreski – at Kean
2011: St. Patrick 70, Linden 58 – Kevin Boyle – at Kean
2010: St. Patrick 82, Plainfield 45 – Kevin Boyle – at Kean
2009: St. Patrick 89, Elizabeth 72 – Kevin Boyle – last one at Dunn
2008: St. Patrick 67, Linden 56 – Kevin Boyle
2007: Linden 63, St. Patrick 51 – Phil Colicchio
2006: St. Patrick 65, Plainfield 52 – Kevin Boyle
2005: St. Patrick 77, Linden 68 – Kevin Boyle
2004: Elizabeth 58, St. Patrick 51 – Donald Stewart
2003: St. Patrick 68, Linden 62 – Kevin Boyle
2002: Elizabeth 75, St. Patrick 61 – Pat Brunner
2001: Linden 76, St. Patrick 59 – Phil Colicchio
2000: St. Patrick 69, Linden 55 – Kevin Boyle
1999: St. Patrick 52, Union 43 – Kevin Boyle
1998: St. Patrick 76, Union 45 – Kevin Boyle
1997: St. Patrick 61, Elizabeth 48 – Kevin Boyle
1996: St. Patrick 65, Elizabeth 47 – Kevin Boyle
1995: Elizabeth 50, St. Patrick 49 – Ben Candelino
1994: St. Patrick 63, Hillside 47 – Kevin Boyle
1993: St. Patrick 45, Elizabeth 41 – Kevin Boyle
1992: Elizabeth 69, Linden 57 – Ben Candelino
1991: Elizabeth 76, Linden 49 – Ben Candelino
1990: Elizabeth 96, Roselle 67 – Ben Candelino
1989: Elizabeth 65, Roselle 57 – Ben Candelino
1988: Linden 50, Elizabeth 45 – Wilbur Aikens
1987: Elizabeth 62, Linden 61 – Ben Candelino
1986: Elizabeth 50, Union Catholic 43 – Ben Candelino
1985: Elizabeth 70, Rahway 56 – Ben Candelino
1984: Elizabeth 57, Plainfield 42 – Ben Candelino
1983: Linden 66, Roselle 60 – Wilbur Aikens
1982: Linden 86, Union Catholic 67 – Wilbur Aikens
1981: Johnson Regional 73, Hillside 61 – Steve Petruzzelli
1980: Union 65, Plainfield 63 – Tom Fox
1979: Plainfield 70, Linden 68 – Rico Parenti
1978: Elizabeth 62, Plainfield 60 – Ron Kelly
1977: Roselle 75, Rahway 54 – Dick Young
1976: Roselle 61, Union 54 – Dick Young
1975: Plainfield 69, Rahway 64 – Rico Parenti
1974: Union 61, Cranford 48 – Tom Fox
1973: Linden 69, Roselle 53 – Wayman Everly
1972: Jefferson 50, Linden 43 – Ron Kelly
1971: Roselle 73, Linden 71 – Dick Young
1970: Jefferson 68, St. Mary’s 61 – Ron Kelly
1969: Jefferson 55, St. Mary’s 47 – Ron Kelly
1968: Linden 63, Jefferson 62 – Joe Gaines
1967: St. Patrick 58, Plainfield 50 – Ed “Buzzy” Fox
1966: Linden 61, St. Patrick 56 – Joe Gaines
1965: Westfield 61, Cranford 52 – Bob Sanislow
1964: Cranford 68, Linden 61 – Bill Martin
1963: Westfield 65, Roselle Catholic 45 – John Lay
1962: St. Mary’s 40, Linden 30 – Al LoBalbo
1961: Roselle 45, St. Mary’s 43 – Ralph Arminio
1960: St. Mary’s 53, Jefferson 43 – Al LoBalbo
1959: Westfield 54, Cranford 46 – John Lay
1958: Roselle 66, Cranford 64 – Ralph Arminio
1957: Rahway 64, Jefferson 51 – Bob Berger
1956: Plainfield 58, Sacred Heart 51 – Bill Brann
1955: Jefferson 52, St. Mary’s 44 – Bill Tranavitch
1954: Jefferson 57, Springfield 44 – Bill Tranavitch
1953: Linden 59, Union 38 – G. St. Andrassy
1952: St. Mary’s 48, Linden 30 – Al LoBalbo
1951: St. Mary’s 37, Jefferson 36 – Al LoBalbo
1950: Jefferson 69, Hillside 57 – Bill Tranavitch
1949: Jefferson 42, Hillside 41 – Bob Cox
1948: Jefferson 33, Springfield 32 – Bob Cox
1947: Springfield 31, Linden 29 – Walter Hohn
1946: Springfield 37, Linden 34 – Walter Hohn
1945: Jefferson 39, Roselle Park 23 – Abner West
1944: St. Patrick 40, Roselle Park 36 – Ken Milsop
1943: Rahway 34, Jefferson 33 – Earl Walter
1942: Rahway 46, Jefferson 30 – Earl Walter
1941: Rahway 32, Hillside 24 – Earl Walter
1940: Springfield 35, Cranford 33 – Bill Brown
1939: Linden 30, Plainfield 20 – Les Goodwin
1938: Springfield 25, Rahway 24 – Bill Brown
1937: Rahway 27, Hillside 17 – Earl Walter
CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Jefferson-Elizabeth 21
St. Patrick-Patrick School 18
Linden 11
Rahway 5
Roselle 5
Springfield 4
St. Mary’s, Elizabeth 4
Plainfield 4
Westfield 3
Union 2
Cranford 1
Johnson Regional 1
* * *
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
UNION COUNTY
TOURNAMENT
SEEDS:
1-The Patrick School
2-New Providence
3-Cranford
4-Roselle Catholic
5-Union
6-Summit
7-Gov. Livingston
8-Westfield
9-St. Mary’s, Elizabeth
10-Scotch Plains
11-Johnson
12-Rahway
13-Oak Knoll
14-Dayton
15-Union Catholic
16-Elizabeth
17-Linden
18-Kent Place
19-Hillside
20-Plainfield
PRELIMINARY ROUND:
Friday, Feb. 12
Dayton 59, Hillside 46
Oak Knoll 37, Plainfield 24
Saturday, Feb. 13
Elizabeth 74, Linden 50
Union Catholic 46, Kent Place 27
FIRST ROUND:
Tuesday, Feb. 16
Westfield 56, St. Mary’s 41
Patrick School 74, Elizabeth 39
Union 41, Rahway 40
Roselle Catholic 56, Oak Knoll 33
Gov. Livingston 54, Scotch Plains 37
New Providence 43, Union Catholic 32
Summit 57, Johnson 42
Cranford 59, Dayton 34
QUARTERFINALS:
Friday, Feb. 19
TOP SIDE OF THE BRACKET
At Johnson
5-Union vs. 4-Roselle Catholic, 6 p.m.
8-Westfield vs. 1-Patrick School, 7:30
BOTTOM SIDE OF THE BRACKET
At Rahway
6-Summit vs. 3-Cranford, 6 p.m.
7-Gov. Livingston vs. 2-New Providence, 7:30
SEMIFINALS:
Thursday, Feb. 25
Doubleheader at one site, TBA
6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
FINALS:
Sunday, Feb. 28
at Kean University
Junior varsity: 2 p.m.
Varsity: 4 p.m.
FRANK J. CICARELL UCT
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL CHAMPIONS:
2015 – Patrick School – first time
2014 – Roselle Catholic
2013 – Gov. Livingston
2012 – Gov. Livingston – first time
2011 – Roselle Catholic
2010 – Roselle Catholic
2009 – Roselle Catholic
2008 – Westfield – first time
2007 – Scotch Plains
2006 – Cranford – first time
2005 – Scotch Plains
2004 – Scotch Plains – first time
2003 – Roselle Catholic – first time
2002 – Roselle – first time
2001 – Union Catholic
2000 – Union – first time
1999 – Summit – first time
1998 – Union Catholic
1997 – Elizabeth
1996 – Elizabeth
1995 – Elizabeth – first time
1994 – Linden
1993 – Linden
1992 – Union Catholic
1991 – Linden – first time
1990 – New Providence – first time
1989 – Union Catholic
1988 – Union Catholic
1987 – Union Catholic
1986 – Union Catholic
1985 – Hillside – first time
1984 – Plainfield
1983 – Plainfield
1982 – Plainfield
1981 – Plainfield
1980 – Plainfield
1979 – Plainfield – first time
1978 – Mother Seton – first time
1977 – Union Catholic – first time
1976 – Benedictine – first time
Championships:
Union Catholic 8
Plainfield 6
Roselle Catholic 5
Linden 3
Elizabeth 3
Scotch Plains 3
Gov. Livingston 2
Benedictine 1
Mother Seton 1
Hillside 1
New Providence 1
Summit 1
Union 1
Roselle 1
Cranford 1
Westfield 1
Patrick School 1