The Westfield Leader Newspaper
The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

THE WEEK IN SPORTS Check it out on the website! www. goleader. com Sports Section pages 1317

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REYES WINS KEY BOUT; ‘LEO’, WILLIAMS GET PINS

Tigers Attack in Final Match; Stop Devil Wrestlers, 3733

By DAVID B. CORBIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

An aura of a mild upset loomed over the mat in the Tigers’ gym in Linden on February 9 after Brian Williams pinned Pete Karpa in 2: 42 at the 215lb. class to put the Westfield High School wrestling team just behind, 3433. However, the real Tiger attack came in the attitude of heavyweight Marvin Edwards as he faced Blue Devil Nick Clark to decide which team would be the victor. Edwards’ 107 decision gave Linden a 3733 victory.

The Tigers also won the battle of forfeits – 32 – as they gained 18team points to the Devils’ 12. Blue Devils Joe DeCampo at 103 and Jim Villane at 140 received forfeits but the Blue Devils ceded the 112, 125 and 189 classes. However, the real key was a few disappointing performances on the mats.

An unhappy Blue Devil Head Coach Glen Kurz commented, “I’ll tell you what. When we had people wrestling. I don’t even want to call it wrestling. With people standing out there with no emotion, no heart, it’s

like they weren’t even there.” John Leonardis at 119 put the Devils ahead, 126, after clamping Sean O’Connell with a cradle in 1: 05. Leonardis has certainly been gearing up his wrestling prowess in recent weeks. Then, Blue Devil Dan MacDonald got into the win column with a 93 decision over Juan Monterrosa at 135. MacDonald scored two takedowns, two penalty points, an escape and a nearfall to secure the victory.

The key bout of the afternoon,

FEIGHNER NETS 18; THORNTON, CUSIMANO HIT 12 EACH

Raiders’ Early Strike Downs Lady Devil Hoopsters, 4938

By DAVID B. CORBIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

Offensive dominance early in the first quarter, coupled with Westfield’s inability to find the mark, set the stage for the Scotch PlainsFanwood High School girls basketball team to roll to a 4938 victory over the Blue Devils in Westfield on February 10. Raider senior Katie Feighner got the job done both offensively and defensively as she tossed in 18 points and ruled the boards with 15 rebounds.

But an impressive job was also done by junior Courtney Thornton

who pulled down seven rebounds, swiped two steals and shared the Blue Devils’ scoring lead with sophomore Jackie Cusimano, both sinking 12 points. Equally effective was Raider Erin Gillooly who rolled in 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

“They did an outstanding job today on the boards,” said Raider Head Coach Brian Homm of Feighner and Gillooly. “That’s what we needed. They (Westfield) did not have too many second shots. And,

that’s what we wanted to do. We wanted to give them one shot and they made sure of that.”

With respect to Feighner’s and Gillooly’s scoring success, Homm added, “That’s what we have to do get the ball to the big kids. Because they (Westfield) don’t have much size.”

The Raiders took advantage of the Blue Devils’ inconsistency in the first quarter and jumped to a 90 lead, with Feighner hitting four, Gillooly getting three and Najwa Glover scoring two points. Finally, Devil senior Kristen Leonardis hit a set shot to erase the shutout. Glover added another twopointer to give the Raiders an 112 lead.

Situations moderated as the Raiders had a slight 1412 lead in the second quarter and a 2514 lead at the half. Feighner’s physical aggressiveness under the board was especially apparent, not only for rebounding but also as she rolled in six layups for 12 points. Cusimano nailed the first of the Blue Devils’ four, threepointers and netted five points for the half.

Thornton came alive, pulling in the majority of her rebounds and scoring nine of her points, and brought the Blue Devils to within seven by the end of the third quarter. In the meantime, Cusimano sank another threepointer and Jesenia Gonzalez made a steal and converted it to a layup. Also, Gillooly began to step up her rebounding efficiency while adding four points.

“We basically matched man (to man) and tried to pressure the ball,” commented Blue Devil Head Coach

MCKEON SINKS 14 POINTS, HERRMANN FIRES IN 13

Turner Rises in 4th as Devils Top Raider Hoopmen, 4744

By DAVID B. CORBIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

Friendly rivalries can be great! And, this time, the Westfield High School boys basketball team got a timely and special effort from freshman Eric Turner who netted eight of his 12 points in the final quarter as the Blue Devils held off the Raiders, 4744, in Scotch Plains on February 12. Offensive heroics were also performed by Raider Dave Herrmann who scored 13 points and Blue Devil Jim McKeon who sank 14.

Also, truly inspiring defensive play came from Raiders Andy Feeley, who was very influential underneath with his rebounding, and Derek Brown,

who added crushing blocks as well as strong rebounding. Blue Devils Jay Cook and Jeff Weber kept the Raiders confused with their deceptive passing skills and contributed timely scoring when the opportunity presented itself.

However, the game began with an adroit steal by Raider Matt Chewning

who converted the layup. Then, the Blue Devils got patient, playing an outside game, and tried to force the Raiders to stretch their zone. McKeon nailed a threepointer and, later, Dan DeSerio netted another threepointer from the left side. But the Raiders penetrated the inside, led by Feeley who had six points, and took a 1412 lead by the end of the first quarter.

Keeping to their game plan, the Blue Devils remained on the perimeter and outscored the Raiders 127 in the second quarter. McKeon hit another threepointer, but it was the Raiders’ turnovers which made the difference as the Blue Devils carried a 2421 lead into the locker room.

With the Blue Devils sticking to their outside game to start the third quarter, the Raiders appeared to concentrate on McKeon, who scored 11 of his points by the half. Now, Weber whooshed in twostraight threepointers from the right side and the Raiders were forced to stretch their defense.

“We wanted to stretch them out a little bit. We thought that once we

bring out their big men, they wouldn’t be able to defend our big guys,” said Blue Devil Head Coach Kevin Everly. “Then, we would be able to take advantage of our guard play.”

Time for the inside game! Cook, Weber and Turner penetrated and each rolled in a layup to put the Devils ahead, 3623.

“We needed to get the ball inside and we established that,” said Everly. “Everybody did a good job.”

Playing catch up, Raider Mike Jackson, who finished with 11 points, hit the first of his three, threepointers. Next, with 1: 20 left in the quarter, the Raiders were effective with a

fullcourt press, then Feeley rolled in the final two points to narrow the score to 3628.

The Raiders began to hit from the outside in the final quarter. After Herrmann sank a free throw, Jackson hit a threepointer then, moments later, sank his third to tighten the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times KEEPING A TIGER FROM GOING OUT OF BOUNDS… Blue Devil Brian Williams, right, tries to keep Tiger Pete Karpa from scooting out of bounds in his 215lb. bout. Williams was successful and pinned Karpa in 2: 42.

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times MIXING IT IN A CRUCIAL BOUT… Blue Devil Justin Reyes, right, ties up with Tiger Shawn Colvin in a crucial 160lb. bout. Reyes came through and won 139.

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times CONSIDERING WHIPPING THE BALL DOWN COURT… Blue Devil Jay Cook, No. 10, considers tossing the ball down court as Raiders Derek Brown, No. 44, Mike Jackson, center, and Dave Herrmann, foreground, consider their positions. Westfield defeated the Raiders in a thriller, 4744.

David B. Corbin for The Westfield Leader and The Times ATTEMPTING TO GET THE BALL DOWN COURT… Blue Devil Kristen Leonardis, No. 11, attempts to bring the ball down court as Raider Lindsay Pennella keeps close tabs. The Raiders defeated the Blue Devils, 4938.