Colonia Girls Basketball Advances to GMCT Semifinals

Fourth-seeded Colonia beats Spotswood 58-45 to reach the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament semifinals.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The fourth-seeded Colonia girls basketball team defeated fifth-seeded Spotswood 58-45 in the quarterfinal round of the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament. Colonia jumped out to a 17-3 lead in the first quarter and was led by Ariana Sosa's 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 steals. Colonia will now face top-seeded St. Thomas Aquinas in the semifinal round on Tuesday.

Why it matters

The Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament is a prestigious high school basketball event in New Jersey, and Colonia's victory over Spotswood keeps them alive in the hunt for the championship. Colonia has been a strong program in recent years, and this win demonstrates their continued competitiveness at the county level.

The details

Colonia jumped out to a dominant 17-3 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, winning 58-45. Ariana Sosa led the way for Colonia with 23 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 steals. Samantha Howell added 10 points and 3 assists, while Nashaelah Hooker had 8 points and 12 rebounds. Ivana Gidado contributed 10 rebounds and 4 assists for Colonia.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 15, 2026.
  • Colonia will face St. Thomas Aquinas in the semifinal round on Tuesday, February 18, 2026 at 7 p.m.

The players

Ariana Sosa

A key player for Colonia, scoring 23 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and making 6 steals in the quarterfinal win.

Samantha Howell

Contributed 10 points and 3 assists for Colonia in the victory.

Nashaelah Hooker

Recorded 8 points and a team-high 12 rebounds for Colonia.

Ivana Gidado

Grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out 4 assists for Colonia.

St. Thomas Aquinas

The top-seeded team that Colonia will face in the semifinal round of the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament.

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What’s next

Colonia will face top-seeded St. Thomas Aquinas in the semifinal round of the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament on Tuesday, February 18, 2026 at 7 p.m.

The takeaway

Colonia's decisive victory over Spotswood in the GMCT quarterfinals demonstrates the team's continued strength and competitiveness in the highly regarded county tournament. Their semifinal matchup against the top-seeded St. Thomas Aquinas squad will be a tough test, but Colonia has proven they have the talent and determination to advance even further in the tournament.