St. Peter's Downs #1 Bergen Catholic in High-Stakes Matchup
photo by: Anthony Ferrara
In a clash of New Jersey basketball titans, St. Peter’s Prep, led by their phenomenal 7-foot center Keiner Asprilla, secured a decisive 65-51 victory over the top-ranked Bergen Catholic. The game, held at Paterson Kennedy High School, was part of a 6-game event held by New Jersey Legacy.
St. Peter’s set the tone from the tip-off, storming to a 23-13 lead by the end of the first quarter. Keiner Asprilla made his presence felt immediately, scoring 10 of his total 18 points in the opening period. His ability to dominate both ends of the floor helped St. Peter's establish early momentum, which they never relinquished.
The second quarter saw St. Peter's extending their lead, with Richie Rosa and Erik Porch contributing significantly. Rosa, the engine of the offense, ended the game with 16 points and six assists, while Porch was perfect from the field, tallying 15 points. Their performances, combined with Asprilla’s dominance, had St. Peter’s leading comfortably 43-25 at halftime.
Bergen Catholic, though trailing, did not go down without a fight. Jaden Brown led their scoring with 20 points, trying to rally his team in the second half. Despite their efforts, including a 16-point contribution from Declan Wucherpfennig, Bergen Catholic struggled to close the gap significantly.
In the fourth quarter, St. Peter’s maintained their lead, managing the game clock and continuing to apply defensive pressure. Despite Bergen Catholic’s attempts to ignite a comeback, St. Peter’s held firm, closing out the game with a 65-51 win.
For St. Peter’s, this win is a morale booster and a clear message to the rest of the state about their championship aspirations. With Asprilla’s addition, they look not just to compete but to dominate. Coach Alex Mirabel’s strategy to integrate Asprilla and utilize the depth of his squad is paying dividends, as seen in this high-profile win.