By Andy Loigu

The Warren Tech bowling team is on a roll, pardon the pun. They have an 8-1 record and are coming off big wins over Warren Hills and Watchung Hills.

William Phelps, who is averaging 213 per game, rolled series scores of 632 and 616 in the Blue Knights’ wins. Meanwhile, Frank LoPresti of the Warren Hills Blue Streaks, who averages 195, rolled an impressive 688 series.

The unbeaten Warren Tech girls (9-0) also defeated the Blue Streaks. Megan Starck and Alyssa Rieger shined with scores of 605 and 642 for the Tech team. The Blue Streaks got impressive performances from Amanda Burdette (582) and Samantha Irwin (574). Starck averages 195 and Rieger is right behind her at 190. 

WRESTLING NOTES

In the recent Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex wrestling tournament, at Phillipsburg, Hackettstown senior Alejandro Castro was the Tigers’ only place-winner. He took third place in the 170 pound division. He came razor close to reaching the championship final, losing 5-4 to eventual champion Norm Cella of Hunterdon Central on a last second escape. Stephen Malia of Warren Hills reached the final at 152, where he lost 12-5 to Matt Garcia of Pope John. The North Hunterdon Lions, who are having a dominant season, easily won the team title, gaining a trophy to place next to the John Goles Tournament trophy they earned at Warren Hills last month.

Former Belvidere wrestler Quinn Melofchik, a two-time state medal winner, is now competing at 125 pounds for the Air Force Academy and has 17 wins halfway through his freshman season.

NORTH WARREN AMONG TOP 10

In girls basketball, for the first time since Desire Almind starred for them 20 years ago, North Warren is the highest ranked Warren County team in the lehighvalleylive.com Top 10 Rankings, with an 8-1 record. Sophomore Quincy McGuinness was chosen for honorable mention in their Player of the Week feature.

The Warren Hills girls recently got a “redemption win” by beating Somerville 41-35 at home. They opened the season with a loss at the Ville. They doubled up North Plainfield 63-33 on Jan. 18 and now have a 7-5 record. Jaelyn Miller and Heather Laffan scored 12 and 11 points respectively while Advika Thandoni pulled down six rebounds.

The Streaks came out of the locker room on fire in a recent 55-25 win over visiting Delaware Valley. They took a 22-0 lead before the Terriers scored their first points and led 25-4 at the half.

“Although the object of the game is to outscore the other team, it is the act of preventing your opponent from scoring, that wins championships,” said head coach Megan McGeehan after the game. Defense also creates easy transition baskets to fuel the offense. 

GORCZYCA TAPPED PLAYER OF WEEK

Senior guard Tyler Gorczyca of the Hackettstown boys earned Player of the Week Honorable Mention, as the Tigers stormed to a 10-2 record. On a road trip to Florida this past weekend, the Tigers routed Keswick Christian 81-39, as Tyler Kirkpatrick led the way with 19 points. Mike Daconti added 14 and Gorczyca contributed nine.

Hackettstown basketball has mastered January and February on an almost annual basis during coach Mike McDonagh’s 10 seasons in charge. Their mission, should they decide to accept it, is to master the state tournament.

A few tips to young basketball players:

If you want to make an impression on the coach and earn playing time, rebound and play defense, not because it is easy, but because it is hard.

Also, coaches are not impressed by ball hogs who have a shoot-first mentality. For most self respecting coaches, if you do not pass the ball and play defense, you do not play. Period, end of discussion.

Do what the coaches ask (related to basketball), pay attention and listen to what they teach, and apply yourself to earning their trust, and you will get playing time.

……….Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.