Peyton Seals scored a game-high 26 points for second-seeded Ramapo, which eased out to a 59-42 win over Dwight-Englewood in the Bergen County Jamboree Round of 16.
ALLENDALE - Ramapo has been a dominant force throughout the 2022-2023 season, a public school playing a non-public school-type schedule, the Green Raiders have earned their place as the second seed in the Bergen County Jamboree. Making it to the semifinal round of the Jambo last season and with its entire roster minus one player returning, Ramapo had high expectations and they are starting to become realized. Going against an upstart Dwight-Englewood team looking to pull a huge upset, Ramapo utilized its fast-paced tempo to throw off the Bulldogs and take control of the game.
Junior Peyton Seals led the way with an impressive 26-point showing followed by Wyatt Eglinton Manner, who added 11, as Ramapo advanced to the quarterfinals by pulling away in the third quarter for a 59-42 triumph over Dwight-Englewood on Saturday afternoon at Northern Highlands Regional High School.
Junior Nehemiah Burleson proved to be a force, going up and getting rebounds both on the offensive and defensive glass. His presence combined with Seals, whose cellegiate stock is steadily rising, were a powerful 1-2 combo throughout the game.
“We knew we were going to get their best shot and we knew they were a good team,” said Seals. “We were ready to play our game and take care of business.”
Ramapo started off strong making their first basket in the first few seconds of the game, but the Bulldogs put up a fight and stayed in it for most of the first half. The Bulldogs’ grit left them down only two points at the end of the first quarter, 9-7.
Despite the Raiders controlling the pac, their shots just were not falling early on which allowed Dwight-Englewood to keep the game close. Halfway into the second quarter, senior Nick Balakian hit a 3-pointer for the Bulldogs, tying the game at 14.
Nick Balakian led Dwight-Englewood with 11 points.
Balakian led the way for Dwight-Englewood putting up 11 total points and senior Jack Sauma added 7.
The hopes of an upset for the Bulldogs were quickly dashed as Ramapo went on a 12-3 scoring run to close the first half up 28-19. In the third quarter, the Green Raiders continued to be dominant on defense and their shots started to fall from the perimeter. Seals and Eglinton-Manner scored on consecutive possessions as they expanded their lead to 15 by the end of the third.
The team really came alive in the fourth quarter with multiple scorers contributing. Combined with the communication and turnovers forced by the Green Raiders’ aggressive defense solidified the win, putting them through to the quarterfinals.
Ramapo (17-2) will take on No. 7 seed Ramsey at Hackensack High School on Saturday. The Green Raiders have played tough competition throughout the regular season and are ready to continue their success in their quest for a Jambo title. They believe they have what it takes to take it all the way.
“We have to stay focused defensively,” said Eglinton-Manner. “If we can do that and shoot the lights out, we feel pretty confident. I think we can outplay them, outrebound them, and outwork them. We’ll keep working hard to reach our ultimate goal.”
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