By JOHN PAVIA
Special to ZAGSBLOG
Cincinnati commit Quadri Moore and his Linden team have won the New Jersey Group 4 state championship with a 66-53 victory over Trenton and will now move on to the Tournament of Champions.
The 6-foot-9 Moore had 22 points, 21 rebounds and five blocks as his team out-rebounded Trenton 51-35. Moore had an impressive 12 offensive rebounds which led to second-chance points and more offensive possessions for his team.
Junior guard Otis Livingston also added in 20 points and five rebounds to help pace the team along with Moore.
“We’re happy, and we should celebrate,” Linden coach Phil Colicchio said to Jeremy Schneider of The Star-Ledger after defeating Paterson Eastside to get to this final. “But we have unfinished business. Our goal this year is to win the Tournament of Champions. We’ve been to Rutgers, we were there last year. This year, we want to go to Rutgers and beat Trenton, win the basketball game. And go on to the Tournament of Champions and win the whole thing.”
Linden’s win today has put them only three victories away from that ultimate goal.
“It means a lot and not just to us,” Moore told Schneider after today’s victory. “But also to all of our coaches and just Linden, period. To be a part of Linden history, it just meant a lot. I think we put a smile on all (Colicchio’s) former players today.”
Linden’s focus will now shift to the coveted Tournament of Champions title which will begin on Tuesday in Toms River, NJ.
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