AMITIE ROLLS IN 46 PTS, 14 RBS; TEEL 10 PTS, 14 RBS
Red hot from the start, the topseeded Cranford High School boys basketball team shot out to a 32-14 first-quarter lead, stuttered a bit in the second quarter but picked it up the rest of the way to overwhelm the 16th-seeded Ferris Bulldogs, 72-49, in the opening round of the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 3 Tournament at Cranford High School on February 22.
Cougar senior Nick Amitie nearly reached the half century mark offensively when he poured in an amazing 46 points and completed another double-double with 14 rebounds. Senior Chase Teel also got into a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Just as impressive, Teel (steal) and Amitie (3 steals, 2 blocks) each dished out five of the 20-6 Cougars’ 18 assists. Additionally, the Cougars won the rebound war, 41-23.
In that first quarter, the Cougars dazzled the 13-10 Bulldogs with their assists. Amitie put in 17 of those points, including a 3-pointer and the final lay-up. He was also 4-for-4 from the line. Senior Chris Santarelli (3 rebounds, 2 assists, block) scored five of his seven points, including a 3pointer. Junior Josh Ketschke (3 rebounds, 2 steals, block) netted all five of his points, including a 3-pointer. Senior Ryan Klimko (rebound) scored two points and Teel scored three points.
The Bulldogs caught on to the Cougars’ assists in the second quarter and rolled to a 14-6 run, making the score 38-28 at the half. The frequent steals threw the Cougars off in their shoot- ing but the Cougars regained complete control in the second half.
Cougar Head Coach Sean Trotter commented, “Yeah that Ferris team played really tough and never gave up. Our guys took their foot off the gas pedal a little bit in that second quarter but passed the ball well for the most part in that game. And obviously a great game by Nick with 46 points and 14 rebounds.”
Cougar sophomore Dylan Aveno finished with two points, two assists and a rebound. Dennis McCaffery, Billy Caminos and Enzo Madrini each contributed a rebound. Junior Jack McGuire finished with four assists, three steals and two rebounds.
Bulldog Jaycob Salazar finished with 14 points (trip 3-pointers) and four assists. Youssef Toure finished with 13 points (3-pointer), six rebounds, two steals and a block.Andre James netted nine points (3-pointer), dished out six assists and added a pair of steals. Darrion Jackson had five points (3-pointer) and two steals. Rahul Rahim pulled eight boards and scored four points. Savion Reid had two points, two rebounds and a steal. Rob Gomez had seven rebounds, two points and a steal.
With a 20-6 record already in the books, it was quite a difference from last year’s 5-19 record.
“Yeah it is great to see how hard work pays off, after going 5-19 last year in a season that our players weren’t mentally or physically ready to play Union County basketball. Our players instead of sulking, they got to work right away in the off-season and worked so hard to be where they are right now,” Coach Trotter explained.
Next on the list would be a showdown on February 27 with the eighthseeded Chatham Cougars, who ousted Randolph, 69-50.
Coach Trotter emphasized, “They earned this and now we need to keep it rolling because there are a ton of really good basketball teams in the section.”
Ferris 14 14 9 12 49 Cranford 32 6 16 18 72
