Lenape's Tye Dorset (5) maintains possession while Montgomery's Josh Moore (15) defends in the NJSIAA Group 4 state semifinal matchup played at Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. Luca Jaffe/D2 Sports Network
BERKELEY TOWNSHIP - Lenape High School senior Matt Liebling experienced body aches and chills the day after his team won the South Jersey Group 4 title against Eastern.
The senior felt sick over the weekend and had a 102.8-degree fever on Monday night.
He took his medicine and wouldn't be denied the opportunity to play in the Group 4 state semifinals.
Liebling returned to school on Tuesday and felt his health improve as the day progressed. The 6-foot-2 senior was tasked with defending 6-foot-9 Montgomery forward Bohdan Biekietov to limit his production around the basket.
Liebling completed the job as Lenape dominated the fourth quarter to secure a 57-43 triumph over the Cougars in the Group 4 state semifinals at Central Regional High School on Tuesday. The Indians improved their record to 28-3 and advanced to the Group 4 state championship for the first time since 2009. Lenape has won 20 games in a row.