North Pitt’s Zamareya Jones shined but the NC State recruit’s team fell short of title
Zamareya Jones received one of two figurative hat tips after Saturday’s John Wall Holiday Invitational Wonderland Girls’ Championship at Broughton’s Holiday Gymnasium.
North Pitt’s Jones – who has signed with NC State – set a new Invitational three-game scoring record en route to Most Outstanding Player (MOP) honors.
Then, there was the hat tip for Morris Catholic (NJ), which shot 64 percent in the third quarter to turn a one-point halftime deficit into a 68-52 win over the Panthers, who competed in their third consecutive Holiday Invitational.
“In the end, Morris Catholic was a little stronger today,” North Pitt coach Antwon Pittman said. “We expect to get better. We expect to find weaknesses so we can take care of those.”
The biggest weakness the Panthers found Saturday was shooting 58 percent in the third quarter. Pittman said he will take that any day, as his players did exactly what they were supposed to do.
The Crusaders, Wonderland Bracket winners for the second consecutive year, did likewise by making nine of 14 third quarter field goals (three of six three-pointers) and five of six free throws. Morris Catholic, frequently among the country’s top 10 teams, added seven of eight foul shots in the fourth quarter, during which North Pitt (7-3) never went to the charity stripe. The Panthers attempted (and made) just two third quarter free throws.
Jones, also the 2021 Invitational MOP and a 2022 all-tournament selection, finished with 108 points among three games, including 37 (15-28 field goals) on Saturday. She played all but 35 seconds among the game’s 32 minutes.
“I’ve got to stay humble, just take it all in, but take it all in in a humble way,” Jones said.
Jones did just that by using her record-setting experience to praise ninth grade teammate Jordan Speller, who was on the court from the opening tip to the final buzzer. Jones spoke of Speller (who is averaging approximately 18 points per game) within the context of North Pitt’s legacy, including a 2018 state championship led by previous Panthers standout Nyjanique Langley.
“She’s going to be even better than what we were,” Jones said of Speller.
Morris Catholic (8-0) had three double figures scorers - twins Mya (22 points) and Mia (19) Pauldo and Alexis Rosenfield (13).