Lenape Outlasts Westfield to Capture Group 4 Basketball Crown

Junior guard El-Anita Joe-Samuel leads Lenape to victory with 25 points and 12 rebounds

Mar. 14, 2026 at 11:50pm

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Lenape High School's girls basketball team defeated Westfield High School 52-42 to win the NJSIAA Group 4 Tournament championship. Junior guard El-Anita Joe-Samuel scored a game-high 25 points with 12 rebounds, and senior guard Olivia Watkins added 12 points with two 3-pointers and three steals to lead Lenape to the victory. Lenape used a strong first quarter to take an early lead and held on for the win, capturing their second Group 4 state title in three years.

Why it matters

This championship game featured two of New Jersey's top high school girls basketball programs, with Lenape ranked 10th and Westfield ranked 12th in the state. The win marks a significant accomplishment for Lenape, which has built a strong girls basketball program in recent years, including a previous Group 4 title in 2024.

The details

Lenape jumped out to a 17-9 lead in the first quarter and maintained that advantage throughout the game. Joe-Samuel and Watkins led the offensive attack for Lenape, which hit eight 3-pointers in the game. Westfield was paced by senior forward/guard Megan Logan, who scored a team-high 15 points, and senior Sophie Lane, who recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

  • The NJSIAA Group 4 Tournament final was played on Saturday, March 14, 2026.

The players

El-Anita Joe-Samuel

A junior guard for Lenape High School who scored a game-high 25 points with 12 rebounds in the championship game.

Olivia Watkins

A senior guard for Lenape High School who scored 12 points with two 3-pointers and three steals in the win.

Megan Logan

A senior forward/guard for Westfield High School who scored a team-high 15 points, including 13 in the second half.

Sophie Lane

A senior for Westfield High School who recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Sean McAneny

The head coach of the Lenape High School girls basketball team.

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What they’re saying

“I thought today's game was well played by both teams. Westfield is solid at both ends of the court, so we knew we had to be prepared for a full 32 minutes. I was happy with the way our girls battled through ups and downs and how they handled runs and pressure from Westfield. They were well organized and we needed to make a couple of adjustments to find space and create open looks for each other.”

— Sean McAneny, Lenape Head Coach

“I think our girls relied heavily today on their experiences playing at Rutgers in 2024. It is a tough environment, and we were playing against a very good team, so I think our experiences at Rutgers helped us keep our composure when things weren't going our way. I was happy we battled through some tough moments today and were able to pull it out in the end.”

— Sean McAneny, Lenape Head Coach

What’s next

Lenape High School will look to build on this championship victory and continue their success in the coming seasons, as they aim to defend their Group 4 title and potentially make a run at a state championship.

The takeaway

Lenape's victory over Westfield in the Group 4 final showcases the strength of the school's girls basketball program, which has now won two state titles in the past three years. The team's ability to overcome adversity and maintain composure in a high-pressure championship environment demonstrates the program's commitment to player development and team-first mentality.