By Andy Loigu

Behind a 22-point and five rebound performance by junior Ethan Almeida, the Hackettstown Tigers won their first-ever boys basketball championship of the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament in overtime Saturday night at Centenary University.

The Tigers’ 58-53 win over runner up Wallkill Valley was attributed to unselfish and smart team play by players and coaches who described the squad as one big, happy family. Coach Mike McDonagh, who has won over 200 games in his 12 seasons at the helm, said the Tigers may lack size, but they make up for that with scrappy and tenacious effort.

“We communicate on the floor and find ways to keep scoring,” he remarked.

Not only was this the Tigers’ first crown in this tournament but it was also the first H/W/S hoops crown for a Group 2 school. All the previous titles have been won either by parochial schools or large enrollment public schools.

It was Hackettstown’s third win in three meetings this season against a Rangers team which started out 4-4 but finished on a hot streak, winning 14 of its last 16.

The game featured eight lead changes and was tied five times, going into overtime at 49-49.

Hackettstown led 49-46 with 2:55 left in regulation time, but Wallkill Valley kept hustling. Finally, a pair of clutch free throws by John Macaulay with 37 seconds left in the extra period, sealed the win.

Almeida was honored with the tournament’s Most Valuable Player trophy and a pair of Tigers joined him on the All-Tournament Team. Darien Santos (17 points) and Divine McNeil (six boards) earned recognition as designees on the fabulous five.

Almeida continued to lead the Tigers in their 73-51 sectional tournament win on Monday night. In a first round matchup, he scored a game-high 23 points and pulled down 10 rebounds against McNair High. The Tigers (now 17-7) host the Madison Dodgers at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2. Bring earplugs if you don’t care for the volume with which the team plays. Welcome to the Jungle!

Writing about Tigers, Rangers, and Dodgers, this is NOT about Major League Baseball. Those guys are still negotiating their financial issues

Wrestling Eyes on Atlantic City

Survive and advance is the mantra for all the wrestlers involved in the state tournament, seeking the individual state championship of their respective weight classes.

At the Region 3 Tournament at West Orange, eight Warren Hills Blue Streaks and a pair of Tigers were place winners in their respective weight classes and advanced to this dream-come-true of every good and motivated wrestler, the state championships at Atlantic City.

Last weekend in West Orange, Steve Malia of Warren Hills was the 165-pound champion of Region 3. The championship will give him a favorable seeding in the brackets in Atlantic City this coming weekend, March 4 and 5.

Joining him in the Atlantic City spotlight are Blue Streaks placewinners Kevin Riedinger (113 pounds), Shawn Redfield (132), Jared Lee (144), Owen Frizzell (175), Ryan Galka (190), Jarett Pantuso (215) and Tyler McCatharn (285). In addition, Hackettstown is welcome at the party, sending two qualifiers to Atlantic City; Aiden Scheeringa at 106 pounds and Nick Balella at 120.

Best wishes to all!

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Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.