Colts Neck Halts Ramapo’s Three‑Peat Bid with 54‑46 Group 3 State Title Triumph
PISCATAWAY, NJ — In a stunning upset at Jersey Mike’s Arena, fourth‑seeded Colts Neck ended defending champion Ramapo’s dynasty with a 54–46 victory to capture its first-ever NJSIAA Group 3 state championship .
The Cougars entered the title game as underdogs, but surged in the second half to outscore Ramapo decisively. After trailing 20–15 at halftime, Colts Neck caught fire—shooting a scorching 74% after the break and converting five of eight three-pointers to seize control .
Senior guard Lukas Sloane anchored the comeback, pouring in a game-high 20 points and snagging 12 rebounds. He carried the team with 13 first-half points and calmly closed the fourth quarter with clutch free throws .
Junior guard Dillon Younger provided a spark in the second half, contributing nine points, eight assists, and six rebounds. Younger’s mid-third-quarter jumper gave Colts Neck its first lead at 36–35. He later forced a crucial turnover that led to a Dan Buoncore bucket, cementing the lead .
Head coach Steve Jannarone praised his team’s unity and resilience, crediting their character more than any “lucky green jacket” superstition from his trip to Atlanta (“there may have been a premonition,” he joked) .
The Cougars’ path to Rutgers included stunning victories: they dethroned Freehold Boro, claimed a sectional title over Ewing, then won a nail-biter against Ocean City in the semifinals, setting the stage for their historic run .
Colts Neck became the first Shore Conference team to win a Group 3 championship since Neptune in 2009, and the first from the Freehold Regional district in school history . The triumph not only capped off a Cinderella season but also etched the Cougars into New Jersey high‑school basketball lore.