Prom Can Wait: Hunterdon Central Softball Clinches State Title Over Watchung Hills

South Orange, NJ — For most high school seniors, prom night is a highlight of the year.

But for the eight seniors on the Hunterdon Central High School softball team, the Group 4 state championship took precedence.

With the NJSIAA scheduling the final at 4 p.m. on Friday, the Red Devils faced a tight timeline, as their prom was set to begin at 6 p.m. in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Undeterred, the team devised a plan: head straight from the game at Seton Hall University to the prom venue, arriving late but triumphant.

There would be no time for hairdos, outfit changes, or even showers; they would celebrate in their softball uniforms.

Their dedication paid off.

In a commanding performance against Watchung Hills, the Red Devils secured a 4-1 victory, clinching their first state title since 2011.

Senior pitcher and Boston College commit Emily Van Cleef was nearly flawless, carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning.

She allowed just one unearned run on one hit, walked two, and struck out 11.

Offensively, sophomore Cambria Tucker broke a scoreless tie with a two-out RBI single in the fourth inning, providing the momentum Hunterdon Central needed.

As the final out was recorded, the team erupted in celebration, knowing they had achieved something special.

With medals around their necks and smiles on their faces, the seniors made their way to prom, arriving late but with a story to tell.

They danced the night away, still in their uniforms, embodying the spirit of commitment and passion that led them to victory.

For these athletes, prom night was memorable not just for the traditional festivities, but for the championship they had fought so hard to win.

It was a night where priorities were clear, and the rewards were well worth the sacrifice.