High school basketball fans across Pennsylvania and New Jersey were treated to a flurry of action-packed games on December 30, 2025, as girls and boys teams battled for holiday tournament titles and bragging rights. From Altoona’s defensive masterclass to Bordentown’s championship triumph, the hardwood was alive with standout performances, dramatic momentum swings, and individual heroics that kept crowds on the edge of their seats.
Let’s start in Wexford, Pennsylvania, where the Altoona Lady Lions delivered a defensive statement in their 49-34 victory over Shaler at North Allegheny High School. The Lady Lions set the tone right from the tip-off, holding Shaler scoreless in the opening quarter—a feat rarely seen at this level. Altoona’s suffocating defense, anchored by Brionna Hudson’s relentless hustle, left Shaler searching for answers. Hudson finished the night with a remarkable double-double, tallying 10 points and an eye-popping 10 steals, disrupting Shaler’s rhythm at every turn.
But it was Raylin Eyer who stole the show offensively. Eyer was simply unconscious from beyond the arc, draining seven three-pointers en route to a game-high 23 points. Every time Shaler tried to claw back, Eyer responded with another dagger from deep. Altoona’s scoring was balanced throughout the quarters, leading 16-0 after one, and maintaining control even as Shaler found some footing in the second half. The Lady Lions’ record now stands at an impressive 9-2, while Shaler drops to 5-4.
Meanwhile, in New Jersey, the Bordentown High varsity girls’ basketball team capped off their own perfect start to the season by clinching the Bordentown Holiday Hoops championship. The Scotties, guided by head coach Bill Lloyd, remained undefeated at 6-0 after a hard-fought 61-53 win over Lawrence High. Ciara Knight was unstoppable, pouring in 26 points, while Addison Dziubak added 16 more to keep Bordentown’s offense humming. Lawrence’s K.J. Williams and Amber Wooding did their best to keep pace, scoring 21 and 15 points respectively, but it wasn’t quite enough to halt Bordentown’s march to the trophy.
The action didn’t stop there. Over at Pleasant Valley Gymnasium, Bishop Guilfoyle Academy’s girls continued their dominant run with a 65-37 rout of Westmont Hilltop. Morgan Ruggery led the Marauders with 18 points, while her teammates contributed balanced scoring and stifling defense. Bishop Guilfoyle’s offense was relentless, outscoring Westmont Hilltop in every quarter and moving to a perfect 7-0 on the season. Westmont Hilltop, despite a valiant effort from Rudolph (14 points), fell to 3-4.
On the boys’ side, the Bishop Carroll squad made a statement of their own in the Westmont Christmas Tournament’s consolation game, dispatching Propel Montour 70-40. Jace Casses was the star of the show, dropping 24 points, including three triples, to lead the Huskies. The game was never in doubt after a blistering 25-point first quarter, with Bishop Carroll building a commanding lead and never looking back. The win lifts Bishop Carroll to 5-4 on the season, a testament to their resilience after a tough tournament start.
Elsewhere in Pennsylvania, Central High’s boys put on a defensive clinic of their own, shutting out Bedford in the first quarter and cruising to a 55-27 victory. Dylan Hoover was the catalyst, lighting up the scoreboard with 23 points and five three-pointers. Central’s barrage from beyond the arc—ten threes in total—proved too much for the winless Bedford squad, whose record now stands at 0-9. Central, meanwhile, improves to 5-2, bolstered by contributions from Rhodes (nine points) and Beltz (eight points).
Northern Bedford also found success on the road, riding a monster 27-point outing from Nevin Lloyd to a 58-46 win over Forbes Road. Lloyd’s scoring touch and leadership were on full display, while Nate Eckenroad chipped in 17 points to keep the Panthers rolling.
Back in New Jersey, the holiday tournaments showcased plenty of fireworks. Hunterdon Central toppled Notre Dame 46-28 in the Winter Chill Challenge, with Caroline Foley’s 13 points—featuring three triples—leading the way. Bishop Eustace cruised past Pennington 58-35 in the same event, building a double-digit halftime lead and never letting up. Florence rode Amanda Cech’s 17 points to a 58-42 win over Overbrook in the Burlington Township Holiday Tournament, while Burlington Township edged Nottingham 30-27 in a gritty championship game thanks to Musulyne Mamu’s 20-point effort.
Steinert dominated Salem 59-14 in the Warrior Holiday Classic, with Katie Corby and Bella Rosa each scoring 15 points. Robbinsville’s Keira Pierini outscored North Brunswick by herself, dropping 28 points in a 54-27 win during the Ravens Winter Classic consolation round. Allentown rallied past Hamilton West 32-21 in the championship game of the same tournament, with junior guard Lily DeRose notching 17 points and knocking down three from long range.
Even in defeat, teams showed grit and determination. Hopewell Valley fell 29-22 to Chester, California, in a defensive slugfest at the KSA Holiday Tournament in Orlando, Florida. The Bulldogs will look to bounce back in their next matchup as the tournament continues.
What do these results tell us? For starters, defense still wins championships—just ask Altoona and Central, who both pitched first-quarter shutouts. Individual brilliance can tip the scales, as seen with Eyer’s and Knight’s scoring explosions. And in the thick of holiday tournament season, every possession counts, with teams fighting not just for trophies but for momentum heading into the heart of their schedules.
With records on the line and rivalries heating up, the stage is set for even more drama as these squads head into the new year. Will Altoona and Bishop Guilfoyle maintain their unbeaten runs? Can Bordentown keep their perfect season alive? If these recent performances are any indication, fans are in for a wild ride.
As the dust settles on a jam-packed day of high school hoops, one thing’s clear: the future of basketball in the region is as bright—and competitive—as ever. The next round of games can’t come soon enough.