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State Champs! East Rutherford Basketball Claims First Title

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   It’s been a long time coming for coach Brad Levine, but even longer for the East Rutherford High School as they now add their first state basketball title to the trophy case, following a 58-56 win over Northwood, Saturday.

   In a game that saw six ties and four lead changes, Marshall signee and East Rutherford senior, Devince Boykins wasn’t going out, unless they won it all.

   For Devince Boykins (16 points, 9 rebounds and 2 blocks) effort and leadership, he became MVP of the championship game and deserved every bit of it.

   And to top off an incredible senior season, Devince Boykins will participate in the North/South All-Star Challenge this weekend at Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach. Devince finished his high school career with well over 1,000 points and 968 total rebounds.

   Two other seniors were contributors this season. Zach Price, who has caught a number of passes during four football seasons, had some pretty big shots all four years in basketball as well. None were any bigger than in the Smoky Mountain game during this postseason, where he hit a right wing three-ball to help East escape from Jackson County with a win.

   Travis Flack was a weapon off the bench. However, he collected some key minutes, baskets and steals during East Rutherford’s run to the title all year long.

   Of the other starters, Raheem Hampton, Devonte Boykins and T.J. Watkins, all three will be eligible for next year to defend that title.

Fire departments have yet to extinguish Hampton’s hot hands on the year. Hampton led the team in three-point field goals (60) and was third in steals (35).

   Freshman and Devince’s younger brother, Devonte Boykins also played a big part this season. Devonte, who was the second leading rebounder on this year’s team, grabbed what may have been the most significant board of the season, when a missed free throw by Price in the final minute of Saturday’s game, ping-ponged off other players. He had six rebounds at the half on Saturday before ending up with nine total.

   A silent weapon that East had this season was T.J. Watkins. Watkins scored in double figures, 11 different times in his sophomore season and also picked up a crucial rebound in the late stages of the Cavs win on Saturday.

   Watkins posted 13 points and was honored with a most outstanding player award by the NCHSAA in the championship game.

   Rounding out a predominantly eight-man rotation is Maddox Stamey and Seth Schieler. Both had their say as well in a quest for the title.

   East Rutherford basketball coach Brad Levine, who has been coaching in some capacity for 26 years said at the Christmas break, that he felt this team could win a state title. He was right.

   East Rutherford (27-1) went undefeated at home this season and over the last two years has a combined overall record of 48-4.

   Back at school on Saturday night, Levine returned to the locker room and went to the drawing board, which had a list of five things that he thought this team could accomplish this season. With marks beside the other four spots in black marker, he put a big red check beside the final one “win state title” featuring the biggest smile of his life.

   While the East Rutherford basketball program has put together some solid teams in the past, Indeed, the 2010-2011 version of the Cavs will go down as the most memorable club in East Rutherford history.
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