Moorestown Downs Colts Neck in Thriller, Advances to First State Final in Program History

photo & coverage by: Marco Morales

In a tightly contested battle at Central Regional, Moorestown held off Colts Neck 37–35 in the NJSIAA Group 3 semifinal, punching its ticket to the state championship game and securing the program’s first-ever appearance at Rutgers.

The game carried a playoff intensity from the opening tip. Moorestown struck first, using strong defense and second-chance opportunities to build an early lead. Analyse Intenzo set the tone in the first quarter, knocking down shots and controlling the pace as Moorestown jumped ahead 12–6 after one.

The Quakers continued to apply pressure in the second quarter, pushing their lead to double digits midway through the period. Intenzo remained the focal point of the offense, finishing the first half with 13 points as Moorestown carried a 23–17 advantage into the break.

Behind a strong effort from Allison McAndrew, the Cougars clawed their way back in the third quarter. McAndrew sparked a scoring surge that helped Colts Neck chip away at the deficit, turning the game into a back-and-forth battle down the stretch. By the end of the third quarter, Moorestown’s lead had been trimmed to just one point at 30–29.

Both teams traded possessions and fought through physical play as the score remained tight deep into the fourth. Colts Neck briefly grabbed the lead with just over five minutes remaining, but Moorestown responded quickly to keep the game within reach.

With just over two minutes left, the teams were deadlocked at 35–35. That’s when Intenzo delivered the moment Moorestown needed. The senior guard hit a clutch basket in the closing minutes to give the Quakers a two-point edge, finishing with a game-high 18 points.

Colts Neck had a final opportunity in the last minute, but Moorestown’s defense held firm, securing the narrow 37–35 victory and sending the Quakers to the biggest stage in program history.

Tess Murphy added 12 points for Moorestown, while Elyse Anstey chipped in four. On the other side, McAndrew led Colts Neck with 15 points in a standout performance that kept the Cougars within striking distance all night.

For Moorestown, the win marks a milestone moment.

The Quakers will now head to Rutgers for the Group 3 state final, a destination the program has never reached before. After surviving a tense semifinal and showing composure in the closing moments, Moorestown now has the opportunity to finish a historic run on the state’s biggest stage.