Cherokee Chiefs Win the 2nd HSBHL Championship

The High School Ball Hockey League (HSBHL) concluded Sunday November 22nd with the Cherokee Chiefs winning the 2nd HSBHL Championship.  The road to the Championship for Cherokee was set up during the last few weeks of the season as they battled for the coveted 4th seed and the last bye position.  The 3 top seeds, Williamstown 9-0-1, West Deptford 8-0-2 and Triton 8-1-1 were powerhouse clubs right through the season leaving no doubt they would be in the playoffs from week one.  The top four seeds received a first-round bye as 12 of the 16 varsity teams qualified for the playoffs this season.

Sunday morning the HSBHL playoffs started out in Marlton, with Kingway Dragons upsetting GCIT Cheetahs and then moving on to give Williamstown Braves the top seed all they could handle.   The Dragons and Braves battled, and the Braves came away with a victory late in the game on the power play.  Next up, the Hammonton Blue Devils bested the Audubon Green Wave and advanced to the Quarterfinals, where they fell to the Chiefs who were fired up with something to prove.  This set up the 1 Seed V 4 Seed, Williamstown vs Cherokee.  In a battle and quite possibly the marquee game of the day, the Braves and the Chiefs battled back and forth with multiple goals being waved off. Cherokee scored in the 3rd to take a 1-0 goal and held on to advance to the finals.

Meanwhile in Medford, the Shawnee Renegades the 11th seed showed up Sunday morning with a mission – they took down the 6th seeded Highland Tartans, 3-1 and then gave the 3rd seed, Triton Mustangs, a run for their money taking them 4-4 late into the game.  Eventually the Renegades gave one up and then an empty netter, giving Triton the win.   Next up the 2nd seed, reigning champion West Deptford Eagles, who earlier in the day bested Timber Creek Chargers 5-1.  The reigning Champions, West Deptford and Triton Mustangs is always a battle as both teams’ rosters are full of very talented players.  This year, Triton prevailed 6-4 and set up the meeting between Cherokee.

Medford hosted the finals this year and the Chiefs traveled across town to the Medford Rink.   The Chiefs came out strong in the first period depositing the ball in the back of the net 4 times in the first four minutes.  Tallying a 5th goal 3 minutes 26 seconds into the 2nd period the Chiefs breathed, and Triton took advantage, popping 2 goals in cutting the lead to 3.  The Chiefs battled and scored a late goal in the 2nd and took a 6-2 lead into the 3rd period.  The teams played even back and forth the entire third period and with a minute in the game scored the 7th.  With a 7-2 final score the Cherokee Chiefs are the HSBHL 2020 Champions.

The HSBHL would like to thank all of the team representatives, coaches and parents for helping make the league a success.  Special thanks to both Marlton Hockey and Medford Hockey for continued support.  To the guys who help run the league, Mike and Mike – thank you.

About HSBHL:  The HSBHL has just completed its second season.  During the inaugural season 12 teams competed in a 10-game season with West Deptford winning the Championship.  In 2020, the league grew to 24 teams, including 16 Varsity and 8 JV.  12 teams advanced to playoffs with Cherokee coming away as Champions.  All players must attend the school they play for.   Each club is required to have a team representative who oversees coach and player selection.  All coaches are required to be certified through Rutgers. S.A.F.E.T.Y. Certification and background checked.  Coupled with a strong code of conduct and experienced referees the league is flourishing and has expansion plans for 2021.  Anyone interested in the HSBHL should contact Scott Tarzy at highschoolballhockey@gmail.com.