State of the Union County (thoughts on seeding meeting eve)
Published: Tuesday, February 08, 2011, 10:52 PM Updated: Tuesday, February 08, 2011, 11:09 PM
The Union County Top 10 looked this way on Tuesday (with records through Sunday):
UNION
1-Roselle Catholic (16-1)
2-Gov. Livingston (13-3)
3-New Providence (13-3)
4-Cranford (14-4)
5-Oak Knoll (9-5)
6-Johnson (9-6)
7-Scotch Plains (11-7)
8-Linden (10-5)
9-Summit (7-8)
10-Roselle (10-6)
Here's a thumbnail look at each team in the county with updated records through Tuesday night:
Roselle Catholic (18-1), which has won the last two UCT crowns, moved into The Star-Ledger Top 20 this week at #20 right behind Morris Catholic, the only team that beat R.C. this year (49-48 on Dec. 31). R.C. has now won 13 straight and is 25-2 over its last 27 games dating back to last year. The Lions last lost to a county team on Jan. 16, 2010 when Cranford earned a 49-47 victory.
Gov. Livingston (13-4) has lost three of its last four but that was coming on the heels of a 12-game winning streak, which included two victories over neighboring rival New Providence. It is 1-1 vs. Johnson, Oak Knoll and Cranford this year and 2-1 against New Prov.
New Providence (14-3), which won its first NJSIAA Group 1 state title last year, rebounded from its four-point loss to Oak Knoll on Jan. 29 by winning its last five games. Included in that stretch are wins over Gov. Livingston, Johnson and Cranford. 1-1 vs. Oak Knoll.
Cranford (15-4) has played very well this season - one year removed from winning its first sectional title since 1974. It suffered a 16-point loss to New Providence on Dec. 21, but played much better the second time around, losing by only six to New Prov. on Feb. 1. Cranford is 0-2 against New Providence.
Analysis: In my opinion, those four above teams should garner the top four seeds for the tournament – but just barely. As far as the order goes, R.C. is a clear-cut #1, but you can make a case that New Providence is playing better than Gov. Livingston at this point in time for the second seed, but keep in mind that GL has beat NP 2 of 3 times. Cranford is a solid #4 seed.
Kristy Pflug of Johnson (l) defends against Catie Mota of Oak Knoll earlier this season.Johnson (10-7), which lost to Union Catholic on Tuesday, owns a split against Gov. Livingston and Oak Knoll. Its 1-1 against Union Catholic, 0-1 against New Providence, 0-2 against Cranford. It lost to Roselle Catholic by just four points on Dec. 29. (9-6 against county).
Scotch Plains (11-8) has had an up-and down type of year as evidenced by its two-point loss to three-win Westfield on Jan. 29. But it's rallied of late, winning three of its last four heading into Tuesday night's game against Roselle Catholic. It avenged a mid-January loss to Union by earning a nine-point victory on Saturday. Is 2-0 vs. Summit and 1-1 vs. Roselle. (9-4 against county).
Linden (12-5) started really strong out of the gate going 7-1 in its first eight games. Is 5-4 in its last nine games, including a victory over Union on Tuesday that avenged an earlier loss. 2-0 vs. Roselle. 1-1 vs. Union. 0-2 vs R.C. 0-1 vs. Scotch Plains. (8-5 against county).
Summit (8-8) has also found it hard to find traction this winter, but has proven to be resilient. It followed a three-game winning streak – which included a 53-42 victory over Roselle – with its second three-game losing streak. Is 1-0 vs. Union and 1-0 vs Roselle. 0-2 vs. Scotch Plains.
Roselle (11-6) has played very well of late winning nine of its last 11 after a 2-4 start. Is 0-2 vs. Linden. 0-1 vs. Summit. 2-0 vs. Union.
Analysis: I think Oak Knoll, Johnson, Scotch Plains and Linden should round out the top 8 seeds in that order with Summit and Roselle right behind. Oak Knoll owns victories over New Providence, Cranford and G.L and is the likely #5 seed.
Morgan Miller of Cranford (l) looks to push the ball as Union Catholic's Shana LaRocca defends earlier this season.Union (6-10): Perhaps the biggest x-Factor in the whole tournament, Union has proven it can play with anybody. Justin Meyer's young club hung with Roselle Catholic throughout their game on Jan. 6 before falling 35-33. It defeated Scotch Plains and Linden the first time it played those teams before dropping the second matchup with each.
Dayton (13-3): It's won 11 straight games after a 2-3 start but the main negative against its success this year is that its competition is coming from the UCC Valley Division. It lost to Roselle Catholic by 12 in its only meeting with a Union County top 10 team.
Union Catholic (8-7): It elped itself immensely with a big win over Johnson on Tuesday. It's definitely a team that can compete – as any Kathy Matthews-coached team can - but until Tuesday lacked a "signature victory".
Kent Place (10-3): It gets the nod over Rahway by virtue of its 27-20 victory on Dec. 17. It split with Dayton.
Rahway (12-4): Has won five straight for the second time this year. Split with Dayton; lost to Kent Place.
Brearley (6-9): Is 2-0 against Roselle Park. 0-2 vs. Rahway.
Roselle Park (6-11): 0-2 vs. Rahway; 0-2 vs. Brearley; split with St. Mary's, split with St. Pat's.
Benedictine (8-10): 0-1 vs. Roselle Park; split with St. Mary's; beat St. Pat's
Westfield (3-14): Its 1-11 in its last 12 with that one victory being a last-second 41-39 decision over rival Scotch Plains on Jan. 29.
Hillside (2-14): Played well in losses to G.L. and Union Catholic. Only county victory is against Elizabeth (44-43 on Jan. 20).
St. Patrick (3-11): Only 2-0 vs. St. Mary's; 1-1 vs. Roselle Park; 0-2 vs. Brearley.
St. Mary's (4-11): 1-1 vs Benedictine; 1-1 vs. Roselle Park; 0-1 vs. Brearley.
Elizabeth (1-16): The last team to win three straight UCT crowns (1995-'97) has lost 13 straight.
Plainfield (0-18): Has played well at times and has a talented group of underclassmen. Still seeking first victory.
So, there you have it. A brief look at all 24 teams in Union County. Mother Seton of Clark, which is in the Greater Middlesex Conference, will participate in that tournament.
We'll have all the seeds, pairings and schedule for the girls UCT online as soon as the seeding meeting is over on Wednesday.
Enjoy the hoops.
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