CALDWELL- It was not the second quarter anyone from Caldwell was happy about as West Essex was repeatedly sent to the foul line, and boosted by eight made free throws held a 19-7 edge to extend their lead over the Chiefs to 32-22 at the half.
It was definitely time for Caldwell to return to form if it wanted to live up to advanced billing as the favorites in the annual West Essex Area Holiday Hoops Festival as the 2025 championship game was contested on Monday afternoon before a good-size crown in Mount St. Dominic’s Codey Gymnasium.
In the end, the Chiefs (4-0) responded with gusto while taking full control of the second half to pull away for a decisive 58-38 triumph over the Knights (3-2).
“Coach (Amanda) Keenan reminded us at halftime to just play our game, which definitely meant picking up the defense, stop committing stupid fouls, hustle for rebounds and get out in transition,” said Caldwell senior forward Tea Fiore “We came together as a group and said, ‘Hey guys, we know how to play.
“Now let’s go out there and do it!”
And, did the Chiefs did just that - and in emphatic style - to take full control of the contest in the third quarter.
Following a pair of free throws by Jordan Salisbury to give the Knights a 34-22 lead, the game’s tone changed decisively during a frenetic four-minute span when Caldwell went on an 18-0 run, led by Addy Keenan’s 16 points during the blistering game-changing stretch which saw the Chiefs take a 42-35 lead with a 20-3 edge in the game-changing third quarter.
“West Essex was out-hustling us and we were just committing too many stupid fouls in the first half and we knew that we had to do a better job getting back on ‘D’ while also making better plays on the offensive end,” said Keenan, who is just 21 points away from reaching the 1,000-point plateau in her junior season. “I knew that I had to step it up after not playing my best in the first half, and my teammates did their part as well in picking it up as our defense improved, we hustled and got out in transition while simply playing up to our capabilities once again.”
Fiore, who had 23 points in her team’s 50-9 first round win vs. Cedar Grove, and 14 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists in the final despite sitting for an extended period of time due to being in foul trouble, was named the tournament MVP.
Keenan, who finished with a game-high 28 points, with 22 of those coming in the second half, while adding 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, was also outstanding in helping her team garner another WEAHHF championship.
“Addy was amazing and just tremendous in leading the way for us in the second half,” said Fiore. “Receiving the MVP award is an honor, but I know that I wouldn’t have been able to accomplish anything I did in this tournament without my teammates!”
Caldwell had a strong supporting cast in the tournament final in addition to Fiore and Keenan, including Tea’s sophomore sister Fallon, who continues to be a force defensively while finishing with 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. Aailyah Rodriguez, who displays constant hustle, had 4 points and 4 rebounds, and Elena Kearns, who had a fine all-around effort, contributed 4 points, 6 rebounds and 4 steals.
