By Andy Loigu

With a 53-45 win over perennial nemesis Hunterdon Central in the semifinals, the Hackettstown Tigers reached the boys championship game in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Basketball Tournament. In the final, scheduled for a 5 p.m. tipoff at Centenary College this Saturday, Feb. 26, coach Mike McDonagh’s tenacious Tigers will face Wallkill Valley.

In the first round of the state tournament, the Tigers will host McNair on Feb. 28. 

Ethan Almeida and Andrew Carida (that rhymes) led the Tigers to their win over the Red Devils from Flemington with 20 points and 11 rebounds respectively.

The Tigers and the Blue Streaks of Warren Hills both were eliminated in the girls H/W/S semifinals.

Hackettstown (18-5) lost 56-44 at Pope John and Warren Hills (12-10) lost at Sparta, setting up a spirited final between neighborhood rival Sussex County schools.

In their most recent win at Lenape Valley on Feb. 17, the Tigers were led by 12 points from Rylie Grant, seven points from Courtney Keane and solid defense from everybody in a 46-30 victory.

In the first round of state play the Tigers will host Science Park on Feb. 28.

Warren Hills has gotten excellent all around play from sophomore guards Bella Soto and Jaelyn Morris, junior forward Sami Schander and senior guard Emily Auer to overcome a slow start to the season. They open the state tournament with a difficult draw, March 1 at North Hunterdon, a perennial powerhouse.

WRESTLERS WIN DISTRICT 12 TITLE

Behind David Sbriscia, who was named District 12 Coach of the Year by his coaching colleagues, Warren Hills’ wrestling team qualified all 14 boys in their lineup for this weekend’s Region 3 tournament at West Orange. A school record 11 Blue Streaks won first place honors. The champions are Charlie Piccione, Kevin Riedinger, Josh and Jared Lee, Tyler and Shawn Redfield, Michael Drazek, Steve Malia, Owen Frizzell, Jarett Pantuso, and Tyler McCatharn.

Sbriscia and his assistants also coach an outstanding group of female wrestlers, two of whom have reached the state final at Phillipsburg, Olivia Raia and Katrina Kling.

Hockey Team Comes Up Short In Haas Cup

In ice hockey, the MOHOHA team made up of players from Mount Olive, Hopatcong, and Hackettstown, finished second in the Haas Cup Tournament in Morristown. Despite gallant goaltending from Nick Gargiulo, who turned away 24 of 26 shots, MOHOHA lost 2-1 to the West Morris Wolfpack in the championship game. AJ Twist scored the only goal against a well-oiled West Morris defense.

Moving forward, MOHOHA has drawn a state tournament bye as a reward for its outstanding season. They will play the winner of Newton versus Lenape Valley at Mennen Arena at a time and date to be determined.

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To all the local athletes who move ahead and play on with high hopes, we hope you enjoy March Madness. Writing as someone who has been there over 50 years ago, this columnist can safely say these next games will stay in your memory forever. Give it your best and relish the experience!

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Ladies and Gentlemen, Elvis has left the building!