Boys Basketball: Check out these can’t-miss games for Feb. 6-12

Josh Eli (5) of Paul VI goes up for a score past Luke Kennevan (12) of Camden Catholic during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Andrew Crawford (1) of Camden Catholic hits the deck fighting for the loose ball with Isaiah Thomas (22) of Paul VI during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Luke Kennevan (12) of Camden Catholic battles for a rebound against Emmanuel Joe-Samuel (4) and Josh Eli (5) of Paul VI during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Emmanuel Joe-Samuel (4) of Paul VI scores on a jumper during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Tobe Nwobu (10) of Camden Catholic grabs a rebound against Adiel Friel (10) of Paul VI during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Judah Hidalgo (0) of Paul VI shoots a jumper against Braelen Crump (3) of Camden Catholic during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Isaiah Thomas (22) of Paul VI and Andrew Crawford (1) of Camden Catholic battle for the ball during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Isaiah Thomas (22) of Paul VI tries to drive to the basket against Andrew Crawford (1) and Tobe Nwobu (10) of Camden Catholic during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Andrew Crawford (1) of Camden Catholic battles for the ball with Isaiah Thomas (22) and Josh Eli (5) of Paul VI during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Olsegun Adeleye (32) of Camden Catholic and Isaiah Thomas (22) of Paul VI battle for a rebound during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Emmanuel Joe-Samuel (4) of Paul VI makes a pass against Andrew Crawford (1) of Camden Catholic during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Olsegun Adeleye (32) of Camden Catholic grabs a rebound against Pat Alemi (35) of Paul VI during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Paul VI head coach Tony Devlin during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Josh Eli (5) of Paul VI tries to score against Olsegun Adeleye (32) of Camden Catholic during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Luke Kennevan (12) of Camden Catholic defends against Judah Hidalgo (0) of Paul VI during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Andrew Crawford (1) of Camden Catholic steals the ball from Josh Eli (5) of Paul VI during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Tobe Nwobu (10) of Camden Catholic tries to score against Adiel Friel (10) of Paul VI during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Tobe Nwobu (10) of Camden Catholic puts up a shot against Emmanuel Joe-Samuel (4), Judah Hidalgo (0), and Josh Eli (5) of Paul VI during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Judah Hidalgo (0) of Paul VI tries to dribble past Braelen Crump (3) of Camden Catholic during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Judah Hidalgo (0) of Paul VI tries to score against Tobe Nwobu (10) of Camden Catholic during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Paul VI head coach Tony Devlin during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Tobe Nwobu (10) of Camden Catholic shoots a free throw during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Camden Catholic head coach Matt Crawford during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Josh Eli (5) of Paul VI puts up a shot in front of Olsegun Adeleye (32) of Camden Catholic during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Luke Kennevan (12) of Camden Catholic tries to score against Josh Eli (5) and Emmanuel Joe-Samuel (4) of Paul VI during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

Luke Kennevan (12) of Camden Catholic battles for a rebound with Josh Eli (5) and Emmanuel Joe-Samuel (4) of Paul VI during the boys basketball game between Paul VI and Camden Catholic at Paul VI High School in Haddonfield, NJ on Thursday, February 2, 2023.

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We’re getting down to crunch time.

The cutoff date for state tournament qualifying in set for Saturday. In addition, conference and county tournaments are heating up. Every game will take on increased importance this week as teams prepare for the season’s final stretch run.

Scroll down to see some of the can’t-miss games for Feb. 6-12, which includes plenty of division showdowns and county clashes.

Monday, Feb. 6

Winslow at Camden, 6

The top-seeded Panthers take on visiting 17-seed Winslow in the second round of the Camden County Tournament. Camden earned a first-round bye and comes into the matchup riding a nine-game winning streak. Winslow defeated Haddon Township in its opening game as Hajir Davis poured in 23 points.

Haddon Heights at Bishop Eustace, 7

Another second-round matchup in the Camden County Tournament, 13-seed Haddon Heights has the talent to pull off an upset against the fourth-seeded Crusaders. The Garnets have won nine of their last 10 games and have been getting solid production from sophomore Damier Outterbridge and senior Brendan Shannon.

Trenton at St. Thomas Aquinas, 7

No. 17 Trenton (21-1) has won six straight games since a 48-45 loss to Newark East Side with dependable leadership from seniors Chris Wilson and Davontay Hutson. St. Thomas Aquinas (20-1), ranked No. 4, is led by Terrell Pitts, Deuce Jones, Jalen Pichardo and Kamal Lee.

Mendham at Delbarton, 7

These Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference rivals square off for a third time time this season, and could make it four if they both reach the Morris County Tournament final. Delbarton won the first two battles with strong play from Mike Vaccaro, Julia Radossich and Lincoln Zimmerman. Mendham calls to Luca Cresti, Mike Ewing and Brendan Brunnock.

Tuesday, Feb. 7

West Essex at Montclair, 4

Montclair fell to West Essex, 78-61, on Jan. 10, though has won four of its last five games with the help of Shin Thompson, Jahi Whitney and Jaden Reid. The Mounties will need to find some answers for Ethan Saccone, Billy Hicks and especially Joe Ganton, who dropped in 34 points that night. The senior guard averages 24 ppg. and recently scaled 1,000 points for his career.

Franklin at South River, 5

Among Franklin’s recent victories was a 73-48 decision over a Piscataway team that handed South River (20-1) its only loss, 49-48, Jan. 14. Cameron Snowden, Jake Noviello and Cam Brown have guided Franklin to eight consecutive wins. South River flaunts a veteran lineup led by Lazaro Rodriguez, Roman Ssntos and Jeremy Grospe.

Bergen Catholic at Don Bosco Prep, 7

The two Bergen County powerhouses will go head to head again this week. Don Bosco Prep went on the road earlier this season and dominated late in a win over Bergen Catholic. These two teams are also still alive in the Bergen County Jamboree and will need to regroup and prepare for this weekend’s semifinals. It’s always a battle when Bosco and Bergen go head to head and this game is worth keeping an eye on. Bergen Catholic kept it close in the first half and it it can maintain that level of play for a full 32 minutes, this game could be much closer than the first meeting.

St. Benedict’s at St. Peter’s Prep, 7

This should serve as an important gauge for No. 5 St. Peter’s Prep as it prepares for the upcoming Hudson County and state tournaments. St. Benedict’s (17-3) comes well-appointed with the likes of Iowa commit Ladji Dembele, Siena-bound Braylyn Smith and talented DeAndre Williams. St. Peter’s balanced attack is led by Jackson Tindall, Nico Pena, Richie Rosa and Peyton Miller.

Irvington at Columbia, 7

Sean Agard, Renaldo Cambronne and Sheik Shereiff steered Irvington to a five-point lead in the first half of its Jan. 10 meeting with Columbia, but the Cougars rallied to a 72-60 win with the clutch efforts of Shelton Colwell, Jalen Robinson and Jayden Meyers.

St. Augustine at Paul VI, 7

It’s possible this is the first of two meetings as both will compete in the South Jersey Non-Public A playoffs. St. Augustine has won the last three matchups, with Elijah Brown, Ife Okebiorun and Matt Kouser combining for 51 points and 33 rebounds in last year’s 65-61 decision. Brown poured in a career-high 37 points Saturday in a win over Salem in the Battle by the Bay showcase.

Wednesday, Feb. 8

Pemberton at Cinnaminson, 5:15

If they take care of business against Pennsauken on Monday, the host Pirates could find themselves in position to clinch the Burlington County Patriot title against Pemberton. Cinnaminson won its first 16 games before suffering a non-league loss to Group 4 South Brunswick last week.

Thursday, Feb. 9

Payne Tech at Union City, 4:30

Union City looks to rebound from two straight losses after winning nine of 11 behind the steady scoring of Darrien Ponder (21.5 ppg.) and the help of Kaleb Johnson and Nyler McCain. Robert Foster, Shane Cedres and Isaiah Oliver have directed Payne Tech (12-8) to six wins in the last eight outings.

Morris Catholic at Pequannock, 7

Morris Catholic handed Pequannock one of its three losses this season with a 71-62 decision Jan. 10. That well-balanced effort was led by Christian Nicholson, Jermaine James and Davide Rossini. Pequannock looks to avenge the loss with high-scoring junior Karson Culuko, Finn Powers and Dylan Tomaskovic.

Sterling at Haddonfield, 7

If Haddonfield takes care of business against Paulsboro on Tuesday, the Haddons can capture the Colonial Liberty title with a victory over Sterling. The two teams met on Jan. 5, with Sterling pulling out a 47-39 win as Caleb Mundell collected 13 points and eight rebounds. Haddonfield won its 15th in a row Sunday over Gloucester in the Camden County Tournament.

Camden Eastside at Camden Catholic, 7

While Camden looks to be a lock for top honors, there’s still a battle for second place in the Olympic National - which is arguably the toughest division in South Jersey. Camden Catholic took the first meeting on Jan. 17 as Tobe Nwobu and Luke Kennevan combined for 49 points in a 68-56 decision.

Saturday, Feb. 11

Bergen County Jamboree semifinals at Hackensack

3-Bergen Catholic vs. 2-Ramapo, 1

5-St. Joseph (Mont.) vs. 1-Don Bosco Prep, 3

Ramapo is trying to make history and it has the chance to make it to the Bergen County final this weekend. The Raiders knocked off Bergen Catholic earlier this season, but the rematch comes at a neural site on a much bigger stage. Ramapo has a really good lineup and has been tough to beat. Ramapo had to battle for a win over Ramsey in the quarterfinals and it will need to come to play again against Bergen Catholic. Peyton Seals scored his 1,000th point in the quarterfinals and the junior will be an X-factor this weekend as Ramapo looks to book a spot in the Bergen County final.

Essex County Tournament Semifinals at West Orange

1-Seton Hall Prep vs. 4-Montclair Immaculate, 3; 2-Arts vs. 6-Columbia, 5

Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament Semifinas at Warren Hills

5-Sparta vs. 8-North Hunterdon, 2:30; 2-Hackettstown vs. 6-Vernon, 4:15

Morris County Tournament Semifinals at County College of Morris, Randolph

2-Delbarton vs. 3-Chatham, 5; 5-Mendham vs. 9-Madison, 7

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Kevin Minnick covers South Jersey boys basketball. He can be reached at kminnick@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @kminnicksports

Mike Kinney covers North and Central Jersey boys basketball. He can be reached at mkinney@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @MikeKinneyHS

Brandon Gould covers North and Central Jersey boys basketball. He can be reached at bgould@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrandonGouldHS

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