Paul VI Secures Camden County Title, Avenging Earlier Season Losses to Camden
photo by Paris Livingston | coverage by: Antonio Morales
In a riveting Camden County Tournament final, Paul VI clinched the title with a 58-54 victory over Camden at Rutgers-Camden. This game marked the third encounter between these top-tier teams this season, with Camden having previously handed Paul VI two of their only three losses. However, this time, Paul VI turned the tables in a clash filled with high stakes.
The match began with Paul VI setting a vigorous pace. The first play of the game was a vicious dunk from Isaiah Thomas which helped set the tone. Ivan Moore quickly made his presence felt, scoring 9 points early and helping his team to a 20-11 lead by the end of the first quarter. His ability to extend the lead with a critical basket in the last seconds of the quarter underscored his crucial role for the Eagles.
Camden didn’t let the early deficit deter their spirit. Led by Torrey Brooks Jr., who scored a game-high 18 points, Camden began to find their rhythm in the second quarter. Brooks' dynamic play kept the game within reach, but Paul VI maintained a slim lead going into halftime.
The second half saw both teams battling fiercely. Camden’s David Munro stepped up, contributing significantly with 17 points and leading the rebounding effort. His performance was pivotal as Camden looked to overturn the deficit. Despite their efforts, Paul VI's consistent execution and playcalling kept them in the lead.
In the pivotal third quarter, both teams exchanged baskets, but Paul VI managed to maintain their lead, entering the final quarter with a four-point advantage. The last period was marked by intense back-and-forth action. Judah Hidalgo and Isaiah Thomas made crucial plays for Paul VI, each adding key points to keep their team ahead. Hidalgo’s versatility was on full display, finishing with 13 points and contributing across the board.
As the game neared its conclusion, Camden made one last push to change the outcome. However, Paul VI’s defense held strong, and their ability to execute under pressure was evident. Isaiah Thomas’s late-game heroics, including a crucial steal and a dunk, helped seal the victory for Paul VI. This win was particularly sweet for Paul VI, not only avenging their previous losses to Camden this season but also demonstrating their growth and resilience as a team. The victory also highlighted the strategic adjustments made by the coaching staff, proving effective in one of the season’s most crucial games.
After the game, we spoke with Judah Hidalgo on what this win means to him after two tough losses this season: "It feels great to be able to redeem ourselves and get the last laugh in the end, I have never been able to beat Camden in all my four years of high school, so being able to beat them on our last game ever playing them in my career and winning is beyond a blessing". The Eagles had a ton of momentum in this game and looked like everyone played for a bigger purpose. Hidalgo mentions the fire under them that got things going "I would say the fuel that really got us going was the very first play of the game, which was a dunk by Isaiah, I believe that gave us the momentum from the jump to be to realize this game is ours for the taking, it definitely was a hard pill to swallow losing at home by a wide margin so I think that fueled us even more before the game"
Paul VI now looks forward to the playoffs will they look to punch their ticket back into Rutgers. With a HUGE win like this, the Eagle will have all the momentum on their side.