A Heartbreaker for P'burg: Hunterdon Central Topples Defending Champs in HWS Semifinal Thriller

Well, what a night it was in the world of high school hoops! Sometimes, sports just throws you a curveball, doesn't it? The defending champions, Phillipsburg, walked onto the court for the HWS Boys Basketball Semifinals with their sights firmly set on another title shot. But, you know, Hunterdon Central had entirely different plans. In what turned out to be a truly gripping contest, the Red Devils delivered a shocker, ousting the Stateliners with a hard-fought 60-55 victory. Just like that, the defending champs were out.

Hunterdon Central really brought their A-game, especially a certain Colin Coiante. The young man absolutely erupted, pouring in a season-high 20 points. It wasn't just the points, though; he seemed to hit them exactly when his team needed them most, particularly those crucial free throws down the stretch that really sealed the deal. From the get-go, Hunterdon Central looked determined, jumping out to a comfortable lead, even pushing it to a hefty 16 points at one point during the second quarter. They were playing with a real fire, honestly.

Now, Phillipsburg, being the champions they are, certainly didn't roll over. Not a chance. They clawed their way back, showing that classic Stateliner grit. The third quarter, in particular, was a masterclass in resilience. Bit by bit, point by point, they chipped away at that seemingly insurmountable lead, bringing it all the way down to just one possession, 38-37. For a moment there, you could almost feel the momentum shift, the crowd on the edge of their seats, wondering if P'burg was about to complete an epic turnaround. Zyeair Day was a huge part of that comeback, matching Coiante with a season-best 20 points himself, and Jayden Brown added a solid 15.

But credit where credit's due: Hunterdon Central weathered the storm. They managed to keep Phillipsburg at arm's length, especially in that nail-biting fourth quarter. Those free throws from Coiante and others really made the difference, allowing them to maintain their advantage right to the final buzzer. It's tough to say, but I think Phillipsburg might look back at their own struggles from the charity stripe – converting only 12 of 24 attempts – as a major factor. In a game this tight, every single point truly matters, and those missed opportunities, well, they just sting a bit more.

So, with this impressive win, Hunterdon Central now punches their ticket to the HWS tournament final, where they'll be squaring off against Bound Brook. What a journey for them! It just goes to show you, in high school sports, anything can happen on any given night. Congratulations to Hunterdon Central, and a tough but well-fought season for Phillipsburg, whose championship defense came to an unexpected end.