Chatham runs away from Colonia to recapture sectional girls basketball trophy

CHATHAM — After Chatham senior Addison Barrett subbed out of the NJSIAA North 2, Group 3 girls basketball final on Saturday night, each of her teammates got up and hugged her one by one. It was Barrett who received the sectional trophy after the Cougars' 67-32 victory against Colonia.

It's been a moment Barrett has been envisioning for months, during Chatham's grueling summer basketball schedule – and the many in-season challenges as well. She recalled playing St. John Vianney in mid-August, as well as the Morris County Tournament final against Morris Catholic.

The Cougars went undefeated in the NJAC-American this winter. Their three losses were to the Crusaders, Rumson-Fair Haven in the HUrban Legends of Jersey showcase and Trinity Hall in the Winter Classic at Kean University.

Chatham will face North 1, Group 3 champ Teaneck in a Group 3 semifinal on Wednesday night at Ramapo High School.

"It feels amazing, especially this year," said Barrett, who had 13 points, four rebounds and three assists in the sectional final. "We've built a team culture of winning, and we've done such a great job of that. We've been thinking of this moment. It's been in our heads all along."

But the Cougars never expected the sectional final to go so smoothly. They had edged Colonia, 49-44, on the road on Jan. 18, as junior guard Mia Semioli had 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Chatham drew on that game on Saturday night, particularly defending Patriots senior forward Taylor Derkack. A University of Massachusetts signee, Derkack reached 2,000 career points a couple of weeks ago.

But the Cougars were able to rotate defensive options on Derkack – first Barrett, then junior guard Ella Kreuzer, then Semioli, and so on – to cut down on potential foul trouble, and trap her teammates at half court to cut down on outlet passes.

"It's a curse and a blessing at the same time. I'm thankful people think I'm good, but at the same time, it's hard to play," said Derkack, who led Colonia with 14 points and seven boards. "They really focused in on me and trapped me. Even when I kicked it, they were there."

More: Colonia's Derkack reaches rare basketball milestone in easy playoff victory

Chatham, meanwhile, continued to rely on Kreuzer's hot hand. She had a game-high 22 points, and her defense caused Cougars coach Joe Gaba to comment, "If she didn't prove tonight she's one of the top 15 players in New Jersey, I don't know what she can do. She's just a special kid."

Gaba always says Kreuzer, who has verbally committed to Bucknell, never takes a day off. But with four players in double figures – Kreuzer, Barrett, Semioli and junior guard Arden Alvarez – it seemed like nobody at Chatham has skipped many workouts since their thrice-weekly sessions on local outdoor courts and two summer leagues: No Boyz Allowed and The Fort at Fort Monmouth.

This is the Cougars' second sectional title in three years, seventh overall. Though they have played in four Group finals, they have yet to bring home a state championship.

"We're always getting ready for the section final and the Group final. Everyone always has the ball in their hands," said Barrett, who plans to continue her academic and lacrosse careers at Princeton. "Gaba puts us in those situations. ... It's all practice for when the big games happen."

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ girls basketball: Chatham Colonia North 2 Group 3 sectional final