It took one New Jersey high school powerhouse to end the other’s record-breaking winning streak.
St. Anthony of Jersey City, ranked fourth in the country by USA Today, had its 83-game win streak — believed to be the nation’s longest — snapped by No. 5 St. Benedict’s Prep, 47-38, at the Newark National Invitational at Prudential Center last night.
Syracuse-bound point guard Tyler Ennis led St. Benedict’s with 14 points and forward Mike Young, a Pittsburgh recruit, followed with 13.
Hallice Cooke, who is headed to Oregon State in the fall, paced St. Anthony with 12 points. Led by legendary coach Bob Hurley Sr., the Friars had been perfect since a triple-overtime loss to Trenton Catholic in March 2010, winning the last two New Jersey Tournament of Champions.
But they struggled mightily on the offensive end against St. Benedict’s, managing just 17 first-half points. St. Benedict’s led 37-21 early in the fourth quarter, before St. Anthony pulled within eight. It would never get closer.