2007-2008 Golden Griffins
Head Coach: Christian Boyce (QP 2000)
Junior Varsity: Fernando Idrovo
Freshmen: John Ahmuty (QP 2000)
Assistants: Ray Ortiz (QP 1997)
Mike Hanley
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Varsity / JV Roster
Number Name Ht Wt Year
# 42 Bilal Dixon 6'9 230 Sr.
# 34 Brendan Sim 6'3 200 Sr.
# 3 Al'Don Muhammad 6'3 165 Sr.
# 23 Zaire Harris 5'11 185 Sr.
# 4 Billy O'Sullivan 6'0 150 Sr.
# 15 John Paul Rivera 6'0 160 Jr.
# 5 John Branagan 6'2 150 Jr.
# 33 Mike DeBartolo 6'0 157 Jr.
# 35 Javae Gilchrist 6'1 150 Jr.
# 21 Dwayne Moffatt 6'3 170 Jr.
# 22 Chris DeRogatis 6'2 190 So.
# 24 Daniel Phillips 6'5 165 So.
# 10 Mike Scalese 5'8 143 Jr.
# 12 Jordan Riley 6'0 155 Jr.
# 44 George Bosch 6'1 255 So.
# 30 Pete Amadio 5'6 140 So.
# 14 William Newby 6'2 160 So.
# 11 Kyle Baker 5'10 145 So.
# 40 Anthony Re 5'10 160 So.
# 45 Daniel Kochka 6'1 160 So.
# 31 Andre Wilson 6'0 150 So.
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ALL LEAGUE HONORS ANNOUNCED
The entire starting line-up of our Boys Varsity has received recognition.
1st Team 2nd Team Hon. Men.
Bilal Dixon Al'Don Muhammad Zaire Harris
Javae Gilchrist
Dwayne Moffatt
Congratulations, Boys!
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Game Summaries:
DOUBLE ELIMINATION
BOTH TEAMS DONE
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In a shocking upset, our Boys lost a 4th quarter lead and fell to #8 Immaculata 59-55 on Tim Finnerty Court.
Our Boys couldn't master the strong trapping defense of Immaculata, who also collapsed their zone effectively in the middle and took Bilal Dixon out of his game.
Javae Gilchrist led all scorers with 20 points, while Dwayne Moffatt and Bilal Dixon chipped in 10 apiece.
Our Boys gave it all they had and should be proud of their season. With a final record of 23-3, it was one of the greatest in school history. Let us not forget that there will finally be a Boys Basketball Banner displayed in Sonny Connors Gym:
The 2008 Undefeated BCSL American Champions!
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Our Girls traveled to Morris Catholic to face the #1 team in the State on Thursday. They too gave their all, but came up short to the defending State Champions 62-48.
Brittany Turner led QP with 16 points, while Samantha Murphy had 12 and Julie Candio-Sekel added 11 points.
The Lady Griffins also had a year to remember. They finished at 17-10 overall, and with a 14-4 league record finished 2nd in the BCSL for the 2nd consecutive year. Nice job!
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So ends the QP careers of Brendan Sim, Billy O'Sullivan, Al'Don Muhammad, Bilal Dixon, Zaire Harris, Brittany Turner, Julie Candio-Sekel, Stephanie Wallace, Mary "Kat" Cana, Christine Fernandez and Stephanie Tedeschi. Several of these players will be going on to play in college and we wish them well.
Our 4 year players from both teams certainly had an interesting run, going through 3 head coaches in each program and being beset with numerous other distractions. We thank them for their dedication to the school, their teammates, and the pride they took in wearing the Golden Griffin uniform. Each one of them represented Queen of Peace High School well and proudly did their best when called upon. They have been the heart and soul of the program and their leadership and example will be truly missed.
We also congratulate both coaches - Christian Boyce and Mike Isabella - for the great job they did in their first year as Varsity Head Coaches. We thank them for their dedication to the players and the school and anxiously await next season . . .
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UNDEFEATED LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
AL'DON REACHES 1000
The Boys defeated Englewood 78-61 tonight to finish their BCSL American regular season undefeated, with a record of 18-0 - another first for the school. The starting five all scored in double figures, with Javae Gilchrist leading the charge with 21 points and Bilal Dixon chipping in 19.
But the night belonged to Al'Don Muhammad as he tallied 15 points, including the 1000th of his high school career!
Al'Don played his freshman and sophomore years at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Newark, where he was a primary scorer for their team. In fact, as a sophomore, he scored 32 against us! When Good Counsel closed after that year, Al made the wise choice to come to QP.
His role has changed a bit, as he has become known as one of the best defenders in North Jersey. He has also adapted his offensive game to be more of a passer and set-up guy for our inside players. This has helped him develop into a good all-around player who will have much success at the college ranks.
We congratulate Al'Don on a great achievement, and are very grateful he came to QP to complete his high school education!
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It was also Senior Night, as Bilal Dixon, Al'Don Muhammad, Brendan Sim, Billy O'Sullivan and Zaire Harris played their last Regular Season home game. We thank the Boys for all their hard work, and their families for their support over the years.
But . . . we're not done yet.
We have a State Championship to play for!!!!
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FIRST TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY
Our Boys came out strong tonight and had to fight back several Fort Lee runs, but in the end the Golden Griffins defeated the Bridgemen 79-61, clinching the first BCSL American Championship in school history!
The Boys opened up a 14 point lead late in the 2nd quarter, only to let Fort Lee go on a 6-0 run stretching into the 3rd quarter to cut the lead to 38-30. The Griffins turned it up from there, as their pressure defense created turnovers which helped open the lead to 72-50 by early in the 4th quarter. But again, Fort Lee went on a 9-0 run to cut the lead to 72-59. Once again QP answered with a 7-2 run to end the game and secure the first Championship Banner for the Boys Program.
Congratulations to Coach Boyce, his coaching staff, and all the Players.
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BOYS BOUNCED BY HACKENSACK
FOUL TROUBLE HURTS GRIFFINS AS JAMBO DREAM ENDS
Our Boys fought hard Saturday in a great matchup with a strong Hackensack team. But in the end Hackensack came from behind in the 4th quarter to win 69-66, knocking the Griffins out of the Bergen County Jamboree.
QP had a strong 2nd quarter which staked us to a 34-25 lead at the half. As the 3rd quarter ended the Griffins still held the lead 52-44. But the 4th quarter saw Al'Don, Dwayne and Bilal foul out, and the Hackensack offense then took command. They pulled ahead with about 13 seconds left. Javae launched a long shot from half court that rimmed out as time expired.
It was a disappointing loss for the Boys who have worked so hard for this opportunity. But we still have two more goals ahead of us: The BCSL American championship, which we can clinch with a win over Fort Lee Monday, and then on to the States.
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BOYS RUN OVER
CLIFFSIDE PARK
BLOW GAME OPEN IN 3RD
The Boys had a strong tune-up for Hackensack tonight as they beat the Cliffside Park Red Raiders 84-72 in Cliffside.
The Boys jumped out to a 12-0 to start the game, but Cliffside's hot shooting in the 2nd quarter kept the game close. QP opened the 3rd with a swarming defense that quickly expanded the lead to 20 points. The Boys coasted from that point on. Bilal Dixon had 20 points and 16 rebounds, while Dwayne Moffatt added 22 points and 9 rebounds.
With this win the Boys have clinched at least a tie for the BCSL American Championship, a first for the school.
Their Magic Number is 1 for the outright Division Championship!
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BEST START IN 28 YEARS
The Boys have become the 1st QP Boys team since the 1980-81 squad to win 20 games as they defeated the Huskies from Dumont Wednesday night 80-61.
Overall, our Boys didn't bring their usual intensity and held only a 10 point lead at the half. But they started the 3rd quarter with a 10-0 run and never looked back, building a 25 point lead by the mid point of the 4th quarter.
The highlight of the game came late as Billy "Rudy" O'Sullivan hit a running 3- pointer as time expired, nailing down the win!
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BOYS TOP TEANECK 69-60
MEET HACKENSACK IN JAMBO SEMIS NEXT SATURDAY
The Boys were not at their best tonight, but still found a way to defeat #8 Teaneck 69-60 to advance to the semi-finals of the Bergen County Jamboree.
A strong 3rd quarter expanded a 2 point halftime lead to 14 after the third quarter. Teaneck could get no closer than 5 the rest of the way.
Bilal Dixon was chosen the game MVP by scoring 21 points and blocking 11 shots, a tournament record! Javae Gilchrist also gave a strong performance.
Click here to read about the Teaneck game
The rest of Sunday's games:
(5) Hackensack 50 (12) Saddle Brook 43
(2) Don Bosco 73 (10) Englewood 56
(3) St. Joseph's 52 (6) Bergen Catholic 45
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TIGERS TAMED 89-57
The Boys jumped out quick on Tenafly Thursday night, opening a 29-10 lead by the end of the 1st quarter.
The remainder of the game consisted of no more than two starters on the floor at any given time, and still the Griffins built a 43 point lead at the end of three quarters.
Al'Don Muhammad and Bilal Dixon each scored 16 points, and Javae Gilchrist added 15 to help earn our 18th win.
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BOYS ROMP 99-68
The Boys narrowly missed the century mark tonight as they bested the Rutherford Bulldogs 99-68 on Tim Finnerty Court.
This one was over early as the boys went on a 24-4 run bridging the 1st and 2nd quarters to open a 58-27 lead at the half.
Javae Gilchrist and Dwayne Moffatt led QP with 22 points apiece, and Bilal Dixon added 19 as the Griffins cruised to their 17th victory.
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OPENING STATEMENT
The Boys let it be known Saturday night that they are more than worthy of the top seed of this prestigious tournament, as they dismantled a respectable Park Ridge squad 86-52 in the 2nd Round of the Jambo.
Bilal Dixon came up big against Park Ridge's 6'8 big man Vince Richman, scoring 20 points and grabbing 16 rebounds. Dwayne Moffatt also scored 20 and Javae Gilchrist added 18 points.
We now play Teaneck on Sunday, 7pm at the Ramapo College
(Big upset Saturday: #12 Saddle Brook 50, #4 Pascack Hills 48)
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BOYS #1 SEED IN JAMBO
1. Queen of Peace
2. Don Bosco 3. St. Joseph 4. Pascack Hills 5. Hackensack 6. Bergen Catholic
7. Northern Highlands 8. Teaneck 9. Old Tappan 10. Englewood 11. Westwood
12. Saddle Brook 13. Cresskill 14. St. Mary 15. Pascack Valley 16. Park Ridge
17. Wood Ridge 18. Ridgefield Park 19. Elmwood Park 20. Hasbrouck Heights
21. Palisades Park 22. Leonia
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BOYS WIN AGAIN 61-44
The Boys seemed to be on cruise-control in River Dell.
They led throughout, but couldn't put the Hawks away for good until the 4th quarter.
Bilal Dixon had 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Dwayne Moffatt added 18 points and 10 rebounds.
On to the Jambo . . .
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GRIFFINS SWEEP CARDS
In continuing their quest for QP's 1st BCSL American Championship, the Boys easily handled Westwood 71-44 in Westwood.
Bilal Dixon led QP with 19 points, while Al'Don Muhammad and Javae Gilchrist each had 11 to pace a balanced Griffin scoring attack.
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BOYS GAIN 13TH WIN
The Boys opened a 20 point second quarter lead and coasted the rest of the way to a 73-51 win.
Bilal Dixon led the way with 24 points and 18 rebounds, while Dwayne Moffatt chipped in 16 points.
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BOYS SUFFER FIRST LOSS
BUT STILL IMPRESS IN NYC
The Boys came out strong and built a 5 point lead after the 1st quarter. Then foul trouble and a cold shooting touch spelled doom for the Griffins, as they dropped their first game of the year 64-43 to Boys and Girls of Brooklyn, a perennial power in the NYC Public School League and currently ranked #15 in the Northeast by HoopGroup.
The QP press forced several turnovers early in the 4th quarter as the Boys battled back into contention, but they weren't able to complete the comeback as Boys and Girls pulled away late.
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THE BATTLE OF FORT LEE
Boys Battle for 80-62 win
For the better part of three quarters, the Boys couldn't shake the Bridgemen of Fort Lee, until Dwayne Moffatt hit five 3's bridging the 3rd and 4th quarters to help QP pull away. Bilal Dixon sealed the deal with lob from Javae Gilchrist and slammed it home while being fouled with 2:30 left.
Dwayne Moffatt finished with 24 ponts, while Javae Gilchrist had 21 and Bilal Dixon added 19 for QP.
This lifts the Griffins to 12-0 with the Jambo seedings coming soon!
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GRIFFINS SWEEP
CLIFFSIDE PARK
The Boys made it 11-0 Tuesday when they beat Cliffside Park 87-65.
Bilal Dixon led all scorers with 19 points, while Mike DeBartolo had 18 and Al'Don Muhammad added 16.
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Boys Hold On to Beat Englewood
Griffins Improve to 10-0
Our Boys opened a 20 point 2nd quarter lead, but had to hold off Englewood in the 4th quarter to defeat the Raiders 80-71 in the Inaugural "Roundtable Roundball Classic" at FDU's Rothman Center.
Bilal Dixon led QP with 26 points, while Javae Gilchrist added 20 to help the Griffins stay undefeated.
Read the Bergen Record's story here
Click here for video highlights!
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Boys win Big IN DUMONT
The Boys kept their undefeated season going as they easily handled the Huskies 82-39 in Dumont. Bilal Dixon led the Griffins with 22 points, while Mike DeBartolo hit four "3's" and had 18 points.
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Boys Romp 81-50
In a game that wasn't as close as the final score indicated, the Boys ran to a 48-23 halftime lead and never looked back, improving to 8-0.
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Boys Top Dawgs 57-44
After another slow start, the Boys used a 15-2 run bridging the 2nd and 3rd quarters to turn a 23-19 deficit into a 34-25 lead that they never lost.
Javae Gilchrist led all scorers with 18 points and 12 steals, while Dwayne Moffatt chipped in 16 points and 11 rebounds.
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Griffins Top Bergen Catholic
Take Tournament Title with 50-48 Win
Al'Don Muhammad hit two free throws with 9.9 seconds left to secure a win for QP in the Finals of the Indian Hills Holiday Tournament.
Javae Gilchrist led QP with 19 points and was chosen as the Tournament's Most Valuable Player.
Queen of Peace is King of the Hill - Bergen Record Story
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Griffins Upset St. Joe's
Great Defensive pressure puts QP over St. Joe's of Montvale 74-65 in the 2nd Round of the Indian Hills Tournament. Javae Gilchrist and Zaire Harris combined for 39 points and 12 assists. Bilal Dixon added 16 points and 15 rebounds.
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Boys Top River Dell
Strong Defensive Effort highlights 54-36 win over River Dell
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