Introduction Colonia’s Win
On December 23 at 1pm Colonia and Woodbridge boys basketball teams played against each other. The ending score was 60-40 with Colonia taking the win. The game was very exciting with both teams displaying great teamwork and of course Woodbridge and Colonias infamous rivalry.
Colonia Players of the Game
RJ Wortman led the way for Colonia, with 16 points and seven rebounds in its 60-40 win over Woodbridge in Colonia. “Once we played with a little more excitement and buckled down defensively, especially R.J. When he’s taking advantage of his athleticism and he’s flying around a little bit, all of a sudden it starts to come a little bit easier,” said Colonia coach Jose Rodriguez. Aiden Derkack added 12 points and five rebounds for Colonia. Which outscored Woodbridge 36-19 in the second half to extend a three-point halftime lead.
Basketball Game
Zach Smith, who finished with 11 points for the patriots, made one of two free throws, then to go to RJ who scored Colonias next 6 points. He scored those points on a pair of free throws and two layups. In transition by Woodbridge turnovers against Colonia’s 1-2-2 press. Zach then made a steal, was fouled and made two free throws for a 35-24 Colonia lead. Colonia had a 20-11 lead early in the second quarter before Woodbridge came back with a 10-2 jump by Angel Valdez. A layup off a pass from Ricardo Reyes to bring the Barrons to within one point, 22-21, with 46 seconds left in the half. Cruz and Derek Anderson each finished with 10 points for Woodbridge, which sank 13 of 40 shots after scoring an average of 60 points in its first two games this season.
More of a View
After a driving basket made Bryan Anderson of Woodbridge. Julien Jones hit a pair of foul shots with 3:06 minutes left in the third quarter. Leading to give Colonia a 37-26 lead. Woodbridge, after finishing the first half with some momentum, committed 11 turnovers in the third quarter, most of them directly attributable to Colonia’s defensive pressure.
Ending Points
Woodbridge never got closer the rest of the way, and with the score 40-30 to start the fourth quarter, Colonia opened the final period with a 12-2 run. Notably, six different players had two points apiece in that 12-2 showing- Julien Jones, Colin Kroner, Smith, Aiden Derkack, Nfa Clyne and Dylan Chiera. Derkack, a junior swingman, finished with 12 points and six rebounds after being honored with his family in a pre-game ceremony after scoring his 1,000th career point against Piscataway on Thursday night. Jones, who finished with seven points, had three assists in the 12-2 run to open the fourth quarter.
Colonia and Woodbridge Crowd Reactions
This game had the crowds jumping up and down. Colonia has a strong sense of patriotism that came out at this game. The whole time, when we were scoring or when we missed, the crowd never faltered. They exemplified patriot pride. With the game being at Colonia, Woodbridge’s supporters still showed that they were there. You heard the Barron pride supporting their team the whole time when the players were showcasing their hard work. In all the crowds of both teams showed lots of love and excitement for the game.
