Tuesday, Feb.10,2009

            When the Long Island Lutheran Highschool team walked into the ” Golden Door” to play St. Anthony Highschool it was a fore gone conclusion that they had come to take a beating. Except, nobody told Lutheran! They came in and gave St. Anthony’s all they wanted enroute to a 60-58 upset. It was the first loss in that building  for St. Anthony’s since 2003. Sophomore Achraf Yacoubou led Lutheran with 23 points, including the game winning layup with 8 seconds left. Kevin Johnson contributed 13 points and 4 assists while controlling the tempo. Junior Tobias Harris added 11 points and 8 rebounds. All American senior Dominic Cheek was held to 11 points, but did have 9 rebounds. Elijah Carter finished with 13 for Anthony’s. St. Anthony’s led most of the way until 4:30 of the 3rd when Johnson made a free throw to put Lutheran up and they held on. St. Anthony’s had a chance to tie but the last shot was blocked.

                                                       Ramapo Downs Bergen Catholic 54-36

   Eric Halejian scored 14 of his 20 points in the 1st half, including a 50 footer at the buzzer to end the 1st quarter to lead Ramapo H.S. to a 54-36 win over Bergen Catholic.   B.C. was a  sixth seed and Ramapo was an 11th seed in the Bergen County Jamboree.  Ramapo’s defense was the difference, forcing B.C. into 24 turnovers and holding the Crusader’s Eric Flanagan to a goose egg in the game.  Ryan Brew (12 pts., 10 rebs.) and Donny Fletcher (8 pts., 8 rebs., 4 stls.) were key in the middle for Ramapo, contesting many attempts by B.C. players, while Peter Garrambone and R.J. Voorman provided defensive pressure up top making it very difficult for Bergen Catholic’s  point guard Sean McGuire.  Although McGuire played well with 11 points and 5 assists he was worn out late.  B.C. was held to 5 points in the fourth quarter.  Doug Rigg was B.C.’s only other legitimate contributor with 6 points, but a hard earned 10 rebounds.

Teaneck Smokes Elmwood Park 70-46

     Teaneck pushed the pedal early and by the  time they let up, Elmwood Park H.S. didn’t know what hit them.  Teaneck pressed and scored early and often to take a 29-13 1st quarter lead enroute to a 70-46 win.  Senior star Javae King- Gilchrist again had one of his all around solid games with 15 points, 8 assists and a quick handed 9 steals.  He got plenty of help, as Jonathan Blue pumped in 15 points along with 7 rebounds, sophomore Brandon Davis contributed 13  points and 6 rebounds, Kyle Steinbergin scored 12, including 4 treys, and Shomari Barber added 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals and 2 blocks.  Elmwood Park struggled with the pressure throughout the game and the Highwayman made them pay every chance they got.  E.P. was led by Ryan Belisle’s 16 points, Jared Forestieri’s 12 points and Ryan Velez who added 11.

Mahwah Sneaks Pass Ridgefield Park 51-46

     In the most entertaining game of the day, Mahwah got just enough to get past Ridgefield Park H.S. 51-46.  Keith Zury was the leading scorer with 17 points and John Ebeling contributed 10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 4 steals.  The game was not decided until Mahwah’s Julius Defreese’s steal and layup with 21 seconds left gave them their final score.  Warren Murphy (13 pts., 6 rebs., 3 blks.) Marquise McMillian (11 pts., 9 rebs.) and Chris Cuecha (10 pts. 4 rebs.) gave great efforts for Ridgefield Park.

Gray Leads Don Bosco Prep 75-30

     Sophomore Vaughn Gray scored 16 of his 20 points in the first half as Don Bosco Prep took a 44-19 halftime lead and never looked back winning 75-30 over an overmatched but game Becton H.S.  Gray put on a show adding 7  rebounds and 4 steals and finishing his night off with a breakaway dunk.  Mike Dudas added 10 points and Aaron Broomfield came off the bench to knock down 14.  Dylan McBreen scored 8  for Becton and Brendan Hunte contributed 6 points and 9 rebounds.

The game ended up being a warm up for Eastside High School in their quest to go far and possibly win the Passaic County Tournament. They made easy work of Montclair Highschool with a convincing 75-47 victory. Eastside started the game on a 19-0 run and finished the 1st quarter with a 21-2 lead. It was a wrap from there! David Robertson-West led the Ghosts with 20 points and 6 rebounds. Robert Morris recruit Karon Abraham contributed 18 points and 4 assists, while Bryant Lewis added 13 points and 7 rebounds. This Eastside trio are the main pieces to how far the team will go in the counties, but the key to their run probably will be up to 6’2″ junior Allen Dantzler. He had an 11 rebound game and it’s this kind of effort that is going to be key to the Ghosts success in the tournament. Dantzler is their biggest player and will be looked upon to give a “big man” effort, even at his size. The first test will be Saturday against Pompton Lakes H.S. Montclair’s Tyler Jones led them in scoring with 11.