Ramapo repeats as North 1, Group 3 Sectional Champions

Basketball, Featured, High School, Ramapo

March 1, 2023

The Ramapo Raiders (28-3) thoroughly dominated from start to finish in a 75-46 shellacking of Teaneck(23-6) in the North 1, Group 3 Sectional Final at Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Ramapo won their second straight sectional title.

Peyton Seals poured in game-high 31 points for the Raiders, while Zach Schnorbusch supplied 15 points and Nate Burleson added 10.

"That's what I want to do is step up for my team especially in these big games and do everything in my power to win the game," Peyton Seals described. "It's huge to keep that legacy from the teams before us and the goal the whole year after the losing in Group Championship last year at Rutgers."

Ramapo head coach Nick Vier talked about winning back-to-back sectional titles, "I'm feeling elated right now and happy for Ramapo, the community, and our team. A great group of kids that worked hard. Happy that the school came out to experience this."

"We showed the state we have a lot of talented kids. This year we had expectations without challenging ourselves and a tough schedule and had success. I knew we were ready for the days like this and even with two injuries. Guys that didn't get a lot of varsity experience last year were ready to play because of our schedule that we chose to do."

"We're trying to develop more of a basketball culture at Ramapo and these last few years we have done a great job of doing that with the youth in the community and we're hoping to continue this tradition. We have a really special group and it's hard to replicate that and hoping the next generation of guys that come around can play high level basketball and don't have to go to Catholic and private schools. You can play the best schedule in the state right here and just a credit to all my guys."

The Raiders raced out to a 22-12 lead at the end of the quarter. Seals (nine points) and Burleson(six) combined to score 15 points.

In the second quarter, Ramapo shot efficiently from the perimeter and drove to the basket for layups. The Raiders knocked down four triples as they held a commanding 44-19 advantage at halftime. Peyton Seals and Nate Burleson each tallied 13 points apiece.

"Teaneck's defense really dictated the way they were trapping and forced us to play fast, Ramapo Head Coach Nick Vier explained. We made shots and when we're shooting the ball, we did tonight we can put up a lot of points and we have the confidence to play any style."

Once the third quarter got underway, it became the Peyton Seals personal highlight reel show as Seals pumped in 18 points, including a pair of trifectas, powering his way to the rim for the layups and sinking free throws. Ramapo expanded the lead to 54-27 at the end of the period.

"It's hard to put into words because the kid wants to one up himself every time we have these big moments and games, and tonight was no different, Ramapo Head Coach Nick Vier noted. I can't think of a shot; he missed all and made good decisions. He got his teammates involved, played defense, and was why Tyler Tejada did not have a big game. Peyton Seals is an absolute program changer and special."