A Thrilling Showdown at the Big Jersey Basketball Showcase

At the Big Jersey Basketball Showcase in Ramsey, two of New Jersey’s top basketball teams faced off in a highly anticipated matchup. The game between Christian Brothers Academy (CBA) and Roselle Catholic was one of the most exciting of the day, drawing a packed gym that was on its feet throughout the contest.

The game remained tightly contested, with both teams trading leads throughout the first three quarters. Entering the fourth quarter, the score was tied at 41, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.

Roselle Catholic started strong, taking a two-point lead after the first quarter. However, CBA responded with a balanced offensive attack, entering halftime with a seven-point advantage. The second half saw both teams continue to battle fiercely, with neither side gaining a significant edge.

As the final quarter progressed, the intensity only increased. Roselle Catholic’s Chase Bray hit a go-ahead three-pointer, but CBA’s sophomore, Izayah Cooper, quickly answered by going 2-for-2 from the free-throw line and scoring a key bucket to tie the game at 45 with six minutes remaining.

The turning point came when Charlie Marcoullier, a senior for CBA, drained a crucial three-pointer with 5:30 left on the clock, giving the Colts a 48-45 lead. From that point on, CBA never looked back.

Roselle Catholic made a final push, cutting the deficit to just one point. But it was Conor Andree who sealed the victory with a hard-earned layup, helping CBA secure a 56-49 win.

“That basket by Conor picked us up big time,” said Cooper. “It gave us the confidence to walk away with a win.”

George Buley added a dunk, and Avery Lynch’s two free throws extended CBA’s lead to seven points. The victory improved CBA’s record to 6-1 this season, with their only loss coming against an out-of-state team.

Roselle Catholic fell to 4-3 on the season. Lynch led the Colts with a team-high 14 points, while Cooper finished with 13 and Buley added 10. Andree contributed nine points, and Marcoullier had six. Will Grier and Oymere Rene each scored two points.

“We knew they would be running, jumping, and pressuring us nonstop,” said Andree. “Our biggest thing today was to stay calm and find everyone to score the ball. We made our plays and stuck to our plan.”

On the other side, Roselle Catholic was led by Tyrease Hunter, who scored 16 points. He hit three field goals that either tied the game or gave RC the lead, and he also had two more that cut the Lions’ deficit to one point. Chase Bray added 13 points, Kahlik Thomas had 10, and Trevon Lewis contributed eight.

This win marked CBA’s second consecutive close victory, following a 53-50 win over ABF (FL) on December 28. With three players averaging double figures per game — Buley, Cooper, and Lynch — the Colts are looking to maintain their position among New Jersey’s top teams.

Under new coach Brian Lynch, CBA is expected to be a strong contender in the Shore Conference and a major force in the Non-Public A state tournament. The team has already secured two ranked wins — over Hudson Catholic and Roselle Catholic — as well as an out-of-state victory.

“We are loving our flow on the court right now,” said Andree. “Yes, our expectations are high this year, but we are playing together as one unit.”