Paulsboro tries to get over the hump in state semis

The list of accomplishments during this era of Paulsboro High School boys' basketball is long and distinguished.

The list of things the Red Raiders haven't done is short: win a state semifinal.

"That's been our Achilles' heel," Paulsboro coach Sean Collins said after his team's 81-59 victory over Schalick in the South Jersey Group 1 title game Tuesday night.

The victory clinched Paulsboro's third South Jersey Group 1 title in four seasons.

This team's core of seniors, led by Saleem Little and Theo Holloway, also has been part of a program that has won four Colonial Conference Freedom Division titles and compiled a remarkable 109-11 record.

But the state semifinal game in Toms River North has been a problem for Paulsboro.

"We just have to go out and play our game," Little said after scoring 24 points in the sectional final. "We have to play Paulsboro basketball."

In 2012, Paulsboro was 30-0 but lost, 67-54, to Asbury Park in the state semifinals.

In 2013, Paulsboro was 27-2 but lost, 67-48, to Point Pleasant Beach in the state semifinals.

Thursday, Paulsboro (28-2) will face Shore Regional (21-5) in the state semifinals.

Once again, the game will be in the Pine Belt Arena on the campus of Toms River North High School.

But this time, the Red Raiders believe that things will be different.

"We're going up there to win and keep going to win a state title," Holloway said.

The winner of Thursday night's game will advance to the Group 1 state championship game Sunday at Rutgers.

Paulsboro's last state title in boys' basketball was in 1996.

"We don't want to demean a sectional title because it's so important," Collins said. "But our goal all along has been to get to Rutgers and hopefully win a state title."