NY vs. NJ: Nike TOC Finale is Set

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BROOKLYN, NY - The age old battle between New York and New Jersey escalated to a larger stage as Saturday's Nike Tournament of Champions High School division finale will feature all-stars from both states. On Friday, each finalist had to battle through another state's all-star team in the semifinal round.

Both semifinal games took place at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Here are the recaps and video highlights of the New York vs. D.C. game.

Briscoe squeaks NJ over Philly, 86-85

The New Jersey squad had their hands full as they fought against a spirited team from Philadelphia. Isaiah Briscoe led the charge for NJ but not without shooting woes. Shooting a sub-par 7 of 12 from the field and 4 of 12 from the three point line, it seemed as if the rising senior could not hit the side of a barn. Those stats would not deter the competitive guard from taking and making the money shot from the scorer's table at the buzzer to give NJ the one point win.

Paired up against Ja'quan Newton, on paper, it looks as if the Philly star got the best of Briscoe but he proved it's not how much you score but when you score that matters in the end.

New Jersey got the best of Philly as Malachi Richardson and Briscoe helped keep them ahead, 37-33 at the half but Philly raised their game in the second half. Newton and Shep Garner would spearhead a comeback that eventually gave Philly a lead late in the game.

With 1:12 left in regulation, Philly was ahead 81-76 and could see the finish line but Briscoe attacked the rim aggressively, sparking a 5-2 run that cut the New Jersey's deficit to a deuce. Anthony Durham drew a foul and was butter from the free-throw line with 19.6 seconds left to play, giving Philly a slight 4 point cushion.

Tyus Battle countered with a basket and the foul but missed the free-throw with 11.6 ticks on the clock. Down 85-83, Briscoe would get a steal on the inbound an as time expired knocked down the trey for the win.

Briscoe had a team high 22 points and 7 assists with Battle and Richardson adding 17 points and 12 points respectively. Newton scored a game high 32 points with Garner contributing 22 points.

New York marches past D.C., 87-74

In the second semifinal game, the NYC team jumped out in front, 26-15, in the first quarter and never looked back. The boys from Washington were simply no match for the power packed New York squad led by offensive juggernaut Isaiah Whitehead (#15 red).

With buckets from Whitehead, a three 3-pointer assault from Rutgers bound Mike Williams (#23 red) and the interior offensive and defensive presence of Cheick Diallo (#40 red), the D.C. squad found themselves in a 49-38 hole at the half.

D.C. did have talent but Phil Booth (#31 green) seemed to be the primary attacker. The game was slowly getting out of hand as Khadeen Carrington (#11 red) began to assert himself. New York's lead ballooned to 20 points with 2:05 left in the third. With a massive blow out looming, the M.C. urged the D.C. squad not to throw in the towel.

Down by 17 points to start the fourth, D.C. obliged and made a run midway through the fourth quarter as big man Quadree Smith (#40 green) battled inside and Dion Wiley (#24 green) stepped up his game. 6;03 remained and an 8-0 had suddenly cut New York's lead to 9 points but the host squad would once again extend their lead, sub out and advance to Saturday's chip.

Whitehead had a game high 29 points and 5 assists with Diallo adding 18 points and 8 rebounds and Carrington contributing 12 points and 4 assists. High man for D.C was Wiley with 13 points with Booth and Smith adding 12 apiece.

The championship game between New York and New Jersey will take place. Saturday at 4pm in the Brooklyn Navy Yard (63 Flushing Ave. Brooklyn, NY

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