Tip-Off Classic Day 1: Bosco, Bloomfield Tech, CBA Winners

Day 1 of the Hoop Group Tip-Off Classic at Seton Hall featured a couple of overtime games and some down-to-the-wire finishes. Some of the folks taking in the action included St. Peter's head coach John Dunne, whose team recently upset Rutgers; Seton Hall Director of Basketball Operations Steve Sauers; Playaz coach Jimmy Salmon; recruiting analyst Tom Konchalski; and recent Manhattan commit Chris Smith of St. Benedict's Prep. Look for a blog on his decision in the coming days.

CBA 63, Chatham 44

Former Seton Hall assistant Geoff Billet got a win in his first game at his old school as the coach of Christian Brothers.

6-1 guard Mike Kuhn and 6-4 forward Brian Neller scored 28 points apiece for CBA, No. 9 in the ZAGSBLOG Top 10. Neller made five 3-pointers.

Billy Oliver, a 6-8 senior headed to Penn State, had a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds for defending Group 2 state champ Chatham.

Don Bosco 57, Bridgewater-Raritan 54 (OT)

The Ironmen benefited from a phantom point awarded by the scorekeeper and won in OT. Senior Georgio Milligan had 22 points and 9 rebounds and freshman Vaughn Gray of Elmwood Park hit a 3-pointer with 26 seconds left in the extra period to give Bosco a 56-54 lead. Bridgewater-Raritan was led by 6-7 Andrew August's 26 points and 16 boards.

Winchendon 59, St. Benedict's Prep 49

The story going into this game was 7-2 Sudanese big man John Riek of Winchendon, who could play in the NBA one day. Riek managed just 2 points on 1-of-6 shooting and 12 rebounds, but Winchendon won behind 25 points from 6-5 wing Larry Anderson and 21 from Anthony Raffa of WIldwood.  For an extended story on Riek, who's recruiting him and what his chances of making the NBA are, check out my story on NYChoops.net. Winchendon is off until taking on South Kent Jan. 6.

Anell Alexis had 11 for St. Ben's, while freshman Tavon Sledge looked good in scoring 9 and Penn-bound guard Zack Rosen had 8 points and 5 boards.

Bloomfield Tech 50, Hackensack 48

Todd Fleming scored 17 points and RJ Hall and Chris Morris added 12 apiece as Tech, No. 8 in the ZAGSBLOG Top 10, edged Hackensack. The Comets were paced by Iona-bound Keon Williams's 20 points and 10 boards. Justis Oliver added 12 points.

Scotch Plains-Fanwood 80, Neptune 78 (OT)

Senior G Bryan Dougher poured in 36 points and was 6-of-10 from 3 to lift Scotch Plains. Greg Zabel added 13 points and Reggie Solomon 10. Gary Foster had 23 for Neptune, Thomas Jones added 15 and Terry Hicks scored 13.