PARSIPPANY — On Friday, January 5 and Saturday, January 6, Parsippany Christian School hosted the 40th Annual Garden State Association of Christian Schools (GSACS) varsity basketball tournament.
The first seeded Parsippany Christian girls’ varsity basketball team (10-1) defeated second seeded Gloucester County Christian 36-20 on Saturday to claim the school’s first GSACS championship in 16 years. The Parsippany Christian girls’ varsity basketball team lead 16-12 at halftime. In the third quarter PCS extended its lead by outscoring Gloucester County Christian 11-4, as the girls cruised to their first GSACS title since 2002 and second GSACS championship overall.
Senior guard, Alyssa Chellaraj stated, ” It was very special to win GSACS my senior year and to finally break the sixteen drought!”
The Parsippany Christian girls were lead by tournament MVP Chloe Milanesi, a sophomore guard, who had 15 points including two 3-pointers, 16 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals in the final. It is the second year in a row Milanesi has been awarded GSACS tournament MVP. Freshman forward Rose Hockman contributed 8 points and 8 rebounds in the title game. In addition to Milanesi earning MVP, All-tournament selections from Parsippany Christian included Rose Hockman, Alyssa Chellaraj, and Charlotte Milanesi.
On top of the championship victory, the girls’ team earned the Christian Testimony award, an honor afforded to the team that exhibits great sportsmanship and high character values during the tournament.
On the boys side, second seeded Parsippany Christian boys’ varsity basketball team (8-4) lost to first seeded and defending champions Solid Rock in the championship by the score of 32-29. Parsippany Christian, down by 11 at halftime, battled back to get within 3 points with 12 seconds remaining and with possession of the ball but missed at the buzzer. PCS boys were looking to claim their first GSACS title since 2014.
Head Coach Armand Milanesi stated, “Credit Solid Rock, playing their second game of the day, to gut out the win. They played great defense, put us on our heels, and made us uncomfortable on offense. But as we’ve stated all season, win or lose we give glory to The Lord. So we are grateful that The Lord allowed us the opportunity to play in the championship and experience all the challenges that come with trying to defeat a champion. We will re-group and start our league schedule fully prepared.”
Senior wings, Michael Jetton and Patrick Vance were named to the all-tournament team.
Parsippany Christian boys and girls varsity basketball teams continue its league schedule at rival Veritas Christian on Tuesday, January 9.
