Morris Catholic, Roselle Catholic hoops on ESPN today for national tourney: Where to watch
The Morris Catholic girls basketball team has played what coach Billy Lovett called “a national schedule so we could be a national presence.” After the Crusaders won the NJSIAA Non-Public B title earlier in March, that dream has been realized.
Morris Catholic will be one of two teams representing New Jersey Thursday at the 2023 State Champions Invitational at Georgetown University. The Roselle Catholic boys, who won Non-Public B and the Union County Tournament, have also been invited to participate.
Tournament schedule
Morris Catholic opens play against Desert Vista of Phoenix at 4 p.m. on ESPNU. The winner advances to a semifinal versus Lone Peak of Highland, Utah at noon on Friday. That game will be on ESPN+.
Roselle Catholic will face Curtis from University Place, Washington, in its tournament opener at 6 p.m. Thursday on ESPNU. The winner will play Wheeler from Marietta, Georgia at 6 p.m. Friday on ESPN+.
The girls final is set for 10 a.m. on Saturday, on ESPNU, followed by the boys final at 12 p.m., which will be broadcast on ESPN2.
Today our MC Girls' Basketball team heads to Georgetown University to play in the State Championship Invitational shown on ESPNU and ESPN+. We are the first girls team from NJ to be invited to play In the event. pic.twitter.com/xtyx1lah1L
— Morris Catholic Girls Basketball (@mcgirlshoops) April 5, 2023
What's at stake
There are six girls and six boys basketball teams in the single-elimination tournament, all champions from their respective state athletic associations. All expenses are paid, and each school receives $5,000.
The girls field also includes defending champion Sidwell Friends of Washington D.C., Centennial from Las Vegas, and Dr. Phillips High School from Orlando. The other boys teams are Yazoo City (Mississippi), Corner Canyon of Draper, Utah, and Sidwell Friends.
Morris Catholic's national schedule
Morris Catholic has already played teams from seven states during the regular season.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” said Morris Catholic coach Lovett, who also led the Crusaders to back-to-back Morris County Tournament titles.
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“What we’ve been able to do this year has been great. The girls have earned everything they’ve gotten. Nothing’s been given to us. It’s a great honor.”
Hackettstown AD Bob Grauso and Morris Knolls AD Pat Brunner presented the initial proposal to the NJSIAA executive committee on Dec. 7 to allow New Jersey teams to play in the tournament. It was formally approved in January.
Morris Catholic and Roselle Catholic needed NJSIAA waivers to be able to play outside the high school season.
Jane Havsy is a storyteller for the Daily Record and DailyRecord.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis, subscribe today.
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This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morris Catholic basketball in 2023 State Champions Invitational
