Teaneck Survives Scare From P.C.T. 60-57!

              It almost started with a shocking upset, but experience down the stretch gave Teaneck H.S. a 60-57 win over Passaic County Tech in a tremendous battle to kick off the season. The Bulldogs were game and ready to go in front of their home crowd as they forced Teaneck into a back yard brawl. The Highwaymen had to withstand a couple of runs before finally winning at the end. Teaneck was led by senior point guard Owen Barnes who finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and a blocked shot. Kyle Steinbergin had 13 points including what proved to be the game winner. Jonathan Blue chipped in 10 points and 5 rebounds and Travon King added  7 points and a game high 8 rebounds. Tech got a big game from Xavier( Yellowhead) Nieves with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.  Point guard Brandon James added 10 points, 4 assists and 2 steals. After going into the fourth quarter tied at 44, P.C.T. went on a 7-0 run to seemingly take control of the game. That’s when Teaneck’s experience took over and the young Tech team got a little overwhelmed. A steal and dunk by King and a three by Steinbergin cut the lead to 2 while Tech had opportunities at the foul line but could only convert 2 out of 4 from the stripe. A backcourt violation against Tech set the stage for Steinbergin. Coming off a pick, He drilled a three with a minute left to make it 58-57. After another turnover by the Bulldogs, Chris Jones was fouled where he calmly sank his only points of the game with 5 seconds left.                     

Notes:  After a sluggish beginning, Teaneck got a lot of energy from Brandon Davis and particularly Justin Hodge off the bench. They combined for 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 steals. Both are lockdown defenders. Teaneck will have to play better and more consistent on Sunday against Kennedy H.S. at Ramapo College. Passaic Tech can take some  pride in the fact that they gave one of the best teams in northern N.J. all they could handle and reality being told should have won this game. Think they have found a star in Nieves. Terrell McDuffie was a solid on the ball defender all night. Also contributed 3 treys from deep.

                                                 Other Scores: 

Don Bosco Prep 59       St. Joe’s   50                         

Vaughn Gray   31                Tony Efese   19

Gary Nova   12                       Kai Dominguez  11

DePaul  53                     Bergen Catholic 49

Matthew Miller  19        Eric Flanagan   15

Passaic Valley  63               Ridgewood  59   2ots

Dom Coiro 19                         James Albano  18

Nick Dicristina  17               Jack Simmons  18

Paramus Catholic 87             Pascack Hills  59

Andre Blackwood  21              Cole Dorfman  15

Justin Harris    12                                                              

Fort Lee  60                                   Tenafly     57

Sandy Burgos  39                   Chris Orozco  28

Englewood   74                      Westwood   63

Zachary Anderson 31                Ricky Moore   26