Dylan Harper, Don Bosco defeat Paul VI: Live score, New Jersey (NJSIAA) Non-Public A boys basketball state championship recap (3/8/2024)

Follow along for updates as Dylan Harper and the Ironmen battle Paul VI for a state title

Five-star Rutgers commit Dylan Harper, the nation’s No. 3 overall recruit in the class of 2024, has pieced together a long list of accomplishments throughout his high school basketball career.

However, he hasn’t captured a state title during his time at Don Bosco Prep (New Jersey).

Harper looks to close out his high school career with a state title, as nationally ranked Don Bosco Prep takes on Paul VI in the New Jersey (NJSIAA) Non-Public A state championship game Friday at Rutgers University.

Don Bosco Prep (28-3) enters the matchup at No. 8 in the SBLive/Sports Illustrated Power 25 national rankings. The Ironmen won 62-45 against Paul VI (22-9) when the two teams squared off in January.

The state championship game between Don Bosco and Paul VI is being streamed by NJ.com and is scheduled to tip off at 5:00 p.m. ET.

(FINAL): DON BOSCO 56, PAUL VI 29

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Don Bosco senior and Rutgers commit Dylan Harper throws down a dunk in a win against McEachern (Georgia) on Dec. 19, 2023 :: Photo by Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida

FOURTH QUARTER

-- Don Bosco Prep wins, 56-29, to bring home its seventh state title in program history and first since 2018. McDondald's All-American Dylan Harper finishes with 26 points, nine rebounds and four assists in the victory at his future home of Rutgers University. 

-- Dylan Harper tosses an alley-oop to Keiner Asprilla, and Kevin Diverio subs his star players out of the game after that with less than two minutes to go and Don Bosco up 30 points.

-- Paul VI breaks 20 points on the game, as Isaiah Brown floats one over the head of seven-footer Keiner Asprilla. 

-- Nearly halfway through the quarter, Dylan Harper finds Keiner Asprilla for a dunk that gives the first basket of the quarter. Don Bosco leads 46-18 and has drastically slowed down the pace with time winding down.

THIRD QUARTER

-- Brady Loughlin gets a mid-range jumper to go as time expires in the third quarter. Don Bosco leads 43-18 and is just eight minutes away from bringing home its first state title in six years.

-- Paul VI scores four points coming out of a timeout, breaking a scoreless drought that lasted the first six minutes of the quarter.

-- William Mensah tips in a miss by Dylan Harper, making it a 37-14 lead for Don Bosco. The Ironmen have kept Paul VI from scoring any points so far this quarter with 3:34 to go.

-- Don Bosco junior Brady Loughlin knocks down a three from the wing to increase the Ironmen's lead to 33-14.

-- Dylan Harper picks up in the second half where he left off in the first half, fighting for an offensive rebound then finishing through contact in the paint. 

SECOND QUARTER

-- Don Bosco leads 28-14 at halftime behind an impressive showing from Dylan Harper, who racked up 20 points and five rebounds in the first half.

-- Don Bosco five-star sophomore Keiner Asprilla scores his first points of the game. The 7-footer is approaching 10 rebounds in the first half.

-- Dylan Harper snags a defensive rebound, dribbles down the court and pulls up for a three ball. That's 18 points for the five-star guard, who has Don Bosco up 24-12 late in the half.

-- Paul VI junior Judah Hidalgo sinks a three pointer to stop the run and bring the Eagles back within single digits. 

-- Dylan Harper is 4-for-4 at the free throw line in the first two minutes of the quarter. The Rutgers commit now has 13 points, as Don Bosco leads 17-9.

FIRST QUARTER

-- Don Bosco junior Brady Loughlin misses a three at the buzzer. The Ironmen lead 13-6 after one quarter. Five-star senior Dylan Harper has started strong with nine points. 

-- Harper throws down a right-handed slam in transition to extend Don Bosco's lead to 13-6, and Paul VI wants a timeout. The Ironmen are on a 13-2 run since falling behind 4-0 in the opening minutes. 

-- Dylan Harper cleans up another miss, making it seven points for the McDonald's All-American in the first quarter.

-- Don Bosco senior Isaiah Brown drops in a floater to give the Ironmen their first lead of the game, and Dylan Harper hits a three on the next possession. It's a 9-0 run for Don Bosco.

-- Dylan Harper grabs a long offensive rebound and immediately takes it to the baskets for Don Bosco's first points of the night. 

-- Paul VI gets a steal and it leads to a fastbreak score for Paul VI junior Aidan Camire. The Eagles grab a 2-0 lead to start the game.

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Friday, 5:00 p.m. (ET) | Jersey Mike’s Arena at Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ

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-- Zach Shugan | zshugan@gmail.com | @SBLiveSports