Morris Catholic, Morristown to face off for MCT title

Morristown will try to do something no other Morris County team has accomplished in more than four years when it takes on top-seeded Morris Catholic in the Morris County Tournament final at 7 p.m. Friday at County College of Morris in Randolph.

The Crusaders (21-2), seeking their fourth consecutive title, have not been defeated by a Morris County opponent since losing a 44-40 decision to Chatham in an MCT semifinal on Feb. 17, 2012.  Morris Catholic avenged that defeat three days later with a 49-44 regular-season victory over the Cougars to begin the current streak.

“Against Morris Catholic, we’re going to have our hands full,” Morristown coach Jim Pisciotto said. “But we’re going to play to win. We’re going to keep our same thing. We’re going to play defense, and we’re going to play hard, and we’re going to get the ball in to Abby (Schubiger).”

Schubiger, the Colgate-bound senior, and junior Kayla Bush present a formidable force for the third-seeded Colonials under the basket. Schubiger finished with 21 points and eight rebounds, and Bush delivered three points and 12 boards in Morristown's 37-34 semifinal victory over second-seeded Jefferson.

“Their size might hurt us a bit,” Morris Catholic coach Rich Fachet said. “They have the two big girls, and it might be tough for us, but we’ll have to figure it out as the game goes along. But we present problems for them too, and it should be an interesting chess match for both. Since the beginning of the season, I’ve figured that Morristown would be right up there at the end of the year. I think that it’s going to be a very even match.”

For the Colonials to win, they’ll have to deal with Morris Catholic’s senior forward Stella Johnson.

“You don’t stop her, you just hope to contain her and you hope that you don’t give her those easy layups,” Pisciotto said. “There’s no one in this county stopping Stella one on one. You have to put two people on her and hope that maybe she doesn’t get hot.

NJAC champs

Congratulations to the NJAC division champions.  Morristown needed a 42-33 victory over Chatham on Monday night to clinch the United division.  West Morris won the National division. Hanover Park took the Liberty division crown. Morris Catholic finished first in the Independence division.

Morris County Top 10

1. Morris Catholic (21-2)

2. Morristown (20-3)

3. West Morris (20-5)

4. Jefferson (21-3)

5. Chatham (16-8)

6. Mendham (13-9)

7. Montville (14-11)

8. Hanover Park (20-4)

9. Pequannock (20-4)

10. Parsippany Hills (11-11)

(Records through Tuesday)