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Theresa Hullings
Trentonian Article February 15, 2025:
CVC Boys Basketball Tournament: Joel Cineus leads Ewing to championship with MVP performance
Blue Devils top Lawrence, 60-52, in inaugural event
By Greg Johnson | gjohnson@trentonian.com | The Trentonian
UPDATED: February 16, 2025 at 12:17 PM EST
PLAINSBORO — Joel Cineus hoisted the MVP trophy high above his head, grinned from ear to ear and was mobbed by his teammates.
The 6-foot-5 senior wing stated his case throughout the CVC Tournament as the league’s toughest player when it comes to the interior, and that heart guided the Ewing boys basketball team to eternal glory on Saturday evening.
Cineus scored 15 points while racking up rebounds, steals and blocks as fifth-seeded Ewing downed second-seeded Lawrence, 60-52, in the championship game held in front of more than 600 fans at West Windsor-Plainsboro North.
“I always feel like I have the advantage in any game we play, no matter what,” said Cineus, who matched up with versatile 6-foot-5 Lawrence big man Noah Johansen. “The coaches do an excellent job preparing us and working with us with skill, and not only that — with discipline. That was really how we were able to win this game: disciplined and staying poised.”
Terrance Traylor also had 15 points at guard and six other players chipped in scoring for the Blue Devils (18-6).
But in a game that had five first-half lead changes, it was Cineus’ play-making from the block and the high post that put Ewing over the top. His baseline drive and dunk gave Ewing a 45-37 lead with 1:19 left in the third, and his pass to a cutting Kristian Thomas for a layup put Ewing up six with 1:23 left in the fourth.
“Joel has been the MVP of the season,” Ewing coach Paul Jones said. “His motor is unmatchable.”
It’s also been hard for any local team to match Ewing’s defensive intensity and trapping as a collective unit. The Blue Devils seem to always apply a double team at the right time to force a turnover, and getting Lawrence (19-6) to cough the ball up 12 times was another pivotal factor.
“We have athletic bigs and athletic guards all over the floor, so we just try to force the errant pass and we can go get the ball,” Cineus said.
Jones said the game plan coming in was, first and foremost, slow down Marvin McNeil.
Lawrence’s star guard scored a career-high 27 points against Notre Dame in the semifinals, so Ewing decided to faceguard him with different defenders like Davion Morton and Sidney Richards.
“We have some tough players on the defensive end that really want to get in there and get to it on the defensive end, so it was mixing up and throwing different combinations at him, and also trying to blitz the ball screen because that’s what he loves the most,” Jones said. “But it was just throwing different looks at him because he’s a very talented person.”
Lawrence coach Jeff Molinelli said they tried setting up a couple different plays designed to help get McNeil some space, but Ewing ultimately took him out of his rhythm and held him to 13 points, of which only five came in the second half.
Still, Michael Carrick stepped up with 13 points including three 3-pointers and Andrew Tembo added 11 points to cap a memorable run for Lawrence, which only once reached the Mercer County Tournament final (2006) in the 35 years it was held before it became the CVC Tournament this season.
“It’s a beautiful thing,” Molinelli said. “That’s what I told our guys. I’ve been part of Mercer County basketball for like 25-plus years and I’ve been to this game twice: once as a player and today. So it’s not an easy game to get to, and I’m ready proud to coach them and it’s a huge credit to them.”
Ewing had not won the MCT since 2011, so this was the first step in this team’s mission to return the program to its glory days. The Blue Devils are also gunning for a sectional championship and then a state championship when the NJSIAA tournament gets underway on Feb. 26.
“It’s an awesome achievement and it’s just a testament to how this team has persevered all season,” Jones said. “We started off, in the beginning year we had a full roster, then we lose Cameron (James), then the transfers goes down, but this team just persevered all season. So it showed the toughness and fortitude that the team has.”
James was a key forward that Ewing lost before the season to an injury, so Cineus knew he was going to be seeing more double and triple teams. The coaches reminded him to stay patient. His versatility, combined with Ewing’s deep roster, has allowed his talent to shine through and made the Blue Devils become one of the area’s top teams.
“It’s just wonderful to see how our hard work pays off,” Cineus said.
And in this case, it means that another trophy is coming back to Ewing.
“It means the world. I grew up here,” Cineus said. “I’m glad I was able to bring something back to the community, and I’m very grateful for their trust in me and all their support. Everybody in the Ewing community, I love them all.”
EWING (60)
Traylor 5-4-15, Morton 1-0-3, Summiel 2-0-5, Cineus 6-3-15, Upshur 2-0-5, Williams 2-0-4, Richards 1-0-2, Thomas 2-7-11.
Totals — 21-14-60.
LAWRENCE (52)
Tembo 3-5-11, Johansen 2-2-7, Moore 2-0-4, McNeil 5-0-13, Carrick 4-2-13, Kotta 2-0-4.
Totals — 18-11-52.
Ewing (18-6) 14 20 11 15 — 60
Lawrence (19-6) 15 15 13 12 — 52
3-point goals: Traylor, Morton, Summiel, Upshur (E), McNeil 3, Carrick 3, Johansen (L).
Originally Published: February 15, 2025 at 10:03 PM EST
Theresa Hullings
Theresa Hullings
If you could use one word to describe yourself, what would that word be?
Tenacious
You are a student-athlete, but you have selected some very interesting courses your senior year that show another side of your personality. Tell us about your Mythology course: From Zeus to Superman, who is the real hero?
I am finding the course very interesting. I did not know too much about Greek Mythology when I started the course and I am starting to realize that our modern-day superheroes are based on characters from Greek Mythology. I would have to say that Medusa’s story is intriguing to me, whereas she took revenge on her enemies and turned them into stone. Her hair composed of snakes is cool and could be a look that I could pull off on the mat. How intimidating would that be?
The second semester brings on Engineering Design/3D Printing, Robotics I, and the art class, Crafts. What is special about these courses?
In my spare time I like putting Lego models together. My favorite is the Titanic. In fact, when we had that earthquake the first thing I did was run to my shelf and made sure that it did not fall. I would love to get a job at Lego in putting models together. With the engineering, robotics and crafts they go together nicely with Lego model building.
'Click' on the link below to enjoy the entire EHS Senior Spotlight interview:
EHS February 2025 Senior Spotlight-Meet Samantha Dupee.pdf
Theresa Hullings
Congratulations Olamide! This scholarship is given to just five high school seniors from across the country who have demonstrated outstanding civic leadership and a commitment to social justice in their communities.
Mo Banks, Director of Communication shared, “We are thrilled to award Olamide this impactful scholarship.”
In addition to the financial award, each recipient will gain access to AGF’s resources, including mentorship opportunities and a network of civic leaders dedicated to advancing democracy and social change.
Please 'click' on the link below for press release:
