Caldwell, NJ—-A game that appeared to be slipping away turned into one of the season’s defining comebacks as No. 2 Bergen Catholic erased an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat No. 3 St. Peter’s Prep, 45–42, at the Big Jersey Basketball Championship Showcase in Caldwell.
Fourth-Quarter Comeback Flips the Script
For most of the afternoon, St. Peter’s Prep controlled the tempo and the scoreboard. The Marauders led after the first quarter and methodically built a 41–30 advantage midway through the fourth, positioning themselves for a statement win in front of a statewide audience.
Nick Ferdinand set the tone early, scoring seven points in the opening quarter as St. Peter’s executed efficiently in the halfcourt and handled Bergen Catholic’s pressure.
But the final minutes belonged entirely to the Crusaders.
Trailing by double digits, Bergen Catholic tightened defensively and began forcing hurried possessions. The result was a stunning 15–1 closing run that transformed a comfortable St. Peter’s lead into a dramatic Bergen Catholic victory.
Hustle Sparks the Rally
The momentum shift began with effort. With time winding down and the Crusaders searching for life, Alex Mazzella launched himself onto the floor to secure a loose ball near midcourt — a play that energized his teammates and flipped the atmosphere inside the gym.
Moments later, Mazzella buried a three-pointer to cut the deficit to six, igniting belief on the Bergen Catholic bench. Though it was his only field goal of the game, it proved pivotal. In the closing seconds, he added a perfectly delivered full-court pass to Julius Avent for a layup that capped the comeback.
Brown Delivers in Winning Time
Senior guard Brad Brown took control when it mattered most. He scored five points during the decisive run, including a go-ahead jumper from the elbow and another clutch basket with 12.1 seconds remaining that gave Bergen Catholic a 42–41 edge.
Brown finished with a game-high 13 points, continuing his steady senior campaign and providing the late-game poise the Crusaders needed.
Inside, Julius Avent supplied strength and composure. The Michigan State commit converted four layups on the afternoon, including the late bucket off Mazzella’s long pass that helped seal the win. Sean Forbes also contributed key points during the closing stretch as Bergen Catholic received timely production from multiple players.
Opportunity Slips Away for the Marauders
For St. Peter’s Prep, the loss was a tough pill to swallow. After controlling the game for three quarters and building an 11-point lead in the fourth, the Marauders managed just one point over the final stretch as Bergen Catholic’s defensive pressure intensified.
Clean looks disappeared, possessions shortened, and what once felt like a résumé-defining win quickly unraveled.
Statement Victory for Bergen Catholic
The win improved Bergen Catholic to 15–2 and strengthened its case as a top contender in the state rankings. More importantly, it showcased the Crusaders’ resilience against elite competition.
In a matchup between two of New Jersey’s best, Bergen Catholic demonstrated its ability to absorb pressure, rely on veteran leadership, and execute in critical moments.
What looked like a showcase loss became a defining rally — and perhaps a turning point in the race for No. 1.
