Jefferson falls in tournament final

By George Leroy Hunter
RANDOLPH — Morristown High School defeated Jefferson Township High School in girls varsity basketball on Friday, Feb. 24, 47-23.
The game was the second time the two squads played each other this month. Jefferson lost to Morristown 51-42 on Feb. 2.
The number one seed Morristown Colonials (21-2), the conference Champions of the United Division of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference against number two seed Jefferson Falcons (21-3), the Champions of the United Division of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference was a lopsided affair early on. Morristown controlled the pace and pushed out to a seventeen point lead in the first quarter and never let up.
The win was Morristown's first Morris County Tournament title since 1980. This was Morristown's second consecutive year appearing in the championship game. Last year, they fell to Morris Catholic. Overall the Morristown Colonials have won the tournament title three times in six championship game appearances.
Earlier this season after defeating 16-seed Morris Tech, Morristown defeated 9 seed Morris Knolls to reach the semifinals for the third consecutive year. They then defeated 5 seed Chatham in the semifinal.
This was the Jefferson Falcons second championship game appearance. They won their first and only Morris County Tournament title in 2012. Jefferson defeated 15 seed Saint Elizabeth and 7 seed and defending champions Morris Catholic Crusaders to advance to the semifinals for the second consecutive year. They then defeated 3 seed Hanover Park in the semifinal.
A big part of Morristown's dominant play was keeping Jefferson's leading scorer Taylor Langan contained. Langan scored nine points, well below her average per game. Morristown's defensive effort forced multiple turnovers from Jefferson. Jefferson was continuously burned by Morristown in fast breaks resulting in points scored including several three pointers.
Morristown's offense complimented the defensive output led by Elizabeth Strambi who scored a game-high fifteen points. Kayla Bush contributed eleven points and Tara O'Neil added nine points.
Remaining the top seed Morristown moves onto the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 bracket to play against 16 seed Hackensack in sectional play. They will try to make it three-for-three on titles this season – conference, county and sectional.
Jefferson is the third seed in the North 1, Group 2 bracket. They will try to regroup against 14 seed Lakeland in sectional play.