VIDEO: Chatham tops Morristown-Beard to repeat as county champs | ||
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Chatham earned a second consecutive Morris County Tournament boys' basketball title behind its strength on the interior. Graham LeMon led the way for the Cougars as they defeated Morristown-Beard, 60-55, in the tournament final. LeMon had 22 points and 11 rebounds, both team highs, as he came up with several crucial baskets down the stretch. The senior center was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player as Chatham won its third MCT in the past six years.
Jack Rooney added 16 points for the third-seeded Cougars, who trailed at halftime by four points. John Burkard had nine points and Mac Bredahl added seven, while Chris Conlin contributed six assists. Morristown-Beard, which went on a magical run after learning of coach Eddie Franz's cancer diagnosis, came up just short of its first county title. Justin Rodriguez led the top-seeded Crimson with 22 points, along with four steals. Raphael Castillo scored 14 points and Zach Dees added nine. The loss ended an 11-game winning streak for Morristown-Beard, which included the Prep B state championship. The Crimson are 23-4 heading into the state playoffs. Chatham is now 18-6, and has a solid shot at a deep run in the state tournament as the second seed in North 2, Group III. For sports video highlights of this New Jersey and Morris County Tournament high school boys' basketball final game, click play in the box at left. |