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Trenton Catholic favored in Mercer County
Notre Dame, led by talented junior guard Isaiah Johnson, has earned the top seed for the Mercer County Tournament, followed by West Windsor-Plainsboro South at No. 2 and Trenton Catholic at No. 3.
Trenton Catholic (14-3), No. 9 in the MSG Varsity Top 15, enters as a heavy favorite, however, the seeds are determined by record, not promise. Notre Dame is 17-2 and WWPS stands at 14-2. Ewing, the defending champion, is 14-4 and seeded No. 4 and Trenton, last year's runner-up, is 13-4 and the No. 5 seed.
The first round gets underway Monday at the home courts of the higher seeds, though Notre Dame's opponent won't be decided until the one play-in contest between West Windsor-Plainsboro North and Robbinsville.
Action moves onto Mercer County College for the final three rounds, beginning with the quarterfinals Fevb. 15. The semifinals are two days later and the championshhip is set for Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m.
Trenton Catholic enters the MCT for the first time in several years, preferring in previous years to participate in high-profile showcases during the tournament. The Iron Mikes are led by Penn State-bound forward Brandon Taylor, senior forward Charles Cooke and senior guard Chazzz Patterson.
MERCER COUNTY TOURNAMENT
FIRST ROUND
MONDAY, FEB. 13
WWPN/Robbinsville winner at 1-Notre Dame
9-Nottingham at 8-Princeton
12-Hamilton West at 5-Trenton
13-Allentown at 4-Ewing
14-Steinert at 3-Trenton Catholic
11-Pennington at 6-Lawrence
10-Hightstown at 7-Princeton Day
15-Hopewell Valley at 2-WWPS
Mike Kinney covers boys basketball for MSG Varsity. Follow him on Twitter: @MikeKinneyHS
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