Spartans' basketball looks to carry momentum into region playoffs

   The Region XIX men’s and women’s basketball playoffs begin in just 10 days, and the Northampton Spartans have two squads in position to make a lot of noise.  

As of February 11, Northampton men’s basketball sits at #8 in the country, with a 22-3 overall record and 14-2 record in Region XIX play. Women’s basketball sits at 16-6 overall and 11-4 in the region, receiving votes in the latest national poll. Both groups are one win away from tying their win total from a year ago, with each having a handful of regular season games remaining.  

   The dazzling overall record for the men can be attributed to the 12-game winning streak they opened the season on, winning the Northampton Tip-Off Tournament and eclipsing 90 points on four separate occasions. The red-hot start culminated in a huge ranked win over then #10 Montgomery County on December 11.  

Following the MontCo win, the Spartans climbed to #2 in the country, the highest ranking the Spartans have ever achieved during head coach Brennan McCarthy’s 12-year tenure.  

   The three losses have come against CC of Philadelphia, a loss they later avenged, Salem, and UCNJ, two nationally ranked teams who the Spartans will likely run into during the playoffs.  

   Facing ranked opponents is nothing new to Coach McCarthy, and his mostly new group of Spartans have never wavered at the challenge of a Region XIX schedule. 

   “We don’t really look at it as who our opponent is,” said guard Jahad Marable. “If we play our game, do everything we’re supposed to do, share the ball, play as a team, we’ll be fine even if we’re playing a team that’s ranked higher than us in the nation.” 

   For the Spartans to do everything they’re supposed to come playoff time, their shot makers are going to have to step up. 30-point outbursts have been becoming frequent for sophomores Kevin Rucker and Terrence Cobb, both of whom serve as the team’s leading scorers. Sophomore forward Lamaj Mapp has taken a huge leap in his second year as a Spartan, posting nearly 10 rebounds a game and 56% from the field.  

   With only one Region XIX game remaining for the men, they are primed for the #2 seed in the Region XIX playoffs, likely placing them in a bracket with Brookdale, who they defeated on February 5, and UCNJ, the team who upset the Spartans on January 31, and ended their season a year ago. The men’s Region XIX playoffs crown two champions in two separate brackets, meaning the Spartans might not encounter the juggernaut and #3 ranked Salem. 

   Year two under Coach Gallagher has been just the success she was anticipating as her group sits at #3 in Region XIX with four games to play. Highlight wins have come against #15 MontCo, #13 RCSJ-Gloucester, and twice against Atlantic Cape, who sits just below Northampton at #4 in the region.  

   Regardless of opponent, Northampton has played everyone tough, and they absolutely can make a deep run in the postseason. This group has possibly the best one-two punch in the entire region with Layla Sweatte and Nia Brown. 

   Sweatte has been a walking bucket all season long, averaging almost 25 a game to pair with 7 rebounds, 2 steals, and a team-high 3.5 assists. Brown has been the perfect complement to Sweatte, averaging a 13 and 11 double-double to go along with 2.5 blocks per game.  

   The Achilles heel for this group has been the second half struggles, something Sweatte chalks up to discipline. 

   “Our mental toughness fades out sometimes when we see them coming back,” said Sweatte. “It’s really about staying disciplined at the end of games and making the right decisions, then we’ll be alright.” 

   The women’s Region XIX playoffs only have one bracket and one champion, meaning Northampton will likely have to get through RCSJ-Gloucester, Atlantic Cape, and Passaic County to earn a trip to the national tournament.  

   Once again, NCC will host the Region XIX playoffs beginning on February 21 and concluding with the title games on February 28. Both teams should be slotted in favorable seedings come next weekend, and each has experience in the postseason. The home court advantage could be one extra edge the Spartans have over the rest of the region, and we may see Spartans' basketball extend into March for the first time since 2023.