By Andy Loigu

For the first time since Katie Terhune and 1997 Warren County Female Athlete of the Year Kerri Bakker made headlines for Warren Hills, the Blue Streaks have won the Hunterdon/Warren Tournament that’s been dominated over the last 22 years in girls basketball by the likes of Voorhees, North Hunterdon, and Hunterdon Central. In fact, it is an even harder tournament to win now, since Sussex County joined the party 10 years ago and made it the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament, with a field that has doubled in size.

Also, regional wrestling took place over the weekend and several locals earned their way to the big stage at Atlantic City. Belvidere’s Quinn Melofchik was selected Outstanding Wrestler by the coaches at an event which also saw Durodolu Ajai of Warren Hills win a regional championship.

Senior guard Nicole Mallard led the Blue Streak girls with 18 points, with outstanding free throw accuracy (14-of-18) and she was honored with the H/W/S Most Valuable Player Award following the 42-32 win over Hunterdon Central at Centenary University on Friday evening in the final. Shooting free throws in a game is never as easy as it is on a playground or after a practice. An unselfish player with the will to win, she was penetrating and creating (as Walt Frazier would say on his Knicks broadcasts), with Heather Laffan (17 points) often in the right place to convert a pass into points on the scoreboard.

Laffan landed a pair of three-point launches to give Warren Hills a 30-16 lead which they never surrendered. Warren Hills was 10-of-12 from the foul line in the fourth quarter, to keep the lead out of Central’s reach.
Mallard also was rising and capitalizing (nine rebounds) while Laffan was wheeling and stealing (four steals). They were joined on the All-Tournament Team by teammate Alexa Westley, who contested everything on defense, making it a hellish night for the Red Devils (who last won this tournament in 2015).

Warren Hills now heads into the state sectionals with a 21-3 record, while Central stands at 14-11. Hunterdon Central was held to one shot (one and done) on many of their possessions as Caroline Larsen, Lianna Johnson, and Mallard kept clearing the defensive boards.

“We were not going to be denied this year,” said coach Meghan McGeehan. “We set winning this tournament as a goal, since Warren Hills had not achieved this in over two decades. Our senior leaders led the way, setting the example with their practice habits and playing with heart, giving it their all.” 

MELOFCHIK”S AMAZING COMEBACK

Melofchik made a Houdini-like escape, hopping his way out of a lock-grip hold, to gain a 4-3 overtime victory over Nico Nardone of Delbarton to win the 113-pound regional wrestling crown on Saturday. The Belvidere senior trailed 3-1 with five seconds remaining in regulation time against one of the state’s most skilled wrestlers, but got a takedown to send the bout into overtime. He later admitted things were desperate and the win was not very pretty, but it was still a win.

Last year, Nardone defeated Melofchik in Atlantic City and finished third in the state on the medals stand, with Melofchik settling for seventh. “I think I’ll see him in the state quarterfinals,” said Melofchik in anticipation of how the seeding is likely to go. “I’ve just got to keep driving and stay on the run I’m on right now.”

The “mighty Quinn” won his regional semifinal by fall in 3:36 over Malachi Shepard of the West Morris Wolfpack.

Ajai won the 285-pound title by decision over Ryan Knox of Randolph in the final, after stopping Nick Hunt of North Bergen in four minutes in the semi.
Nick Galka of Warren Hills was a buzz saw in taking the third place match at 220 pounds, with a 16-4 major decision over Nashawn Brooks of Irvington. Chris Ostir of Warren Hills finished fourth at 145 after losing an 8-4 decision to Colin Loughney of West Morris.

A quartet of locals earned fifth place medals. Hunter Lensi of Belvidere, at 106 pounds, pinned Ricardo Caamano of Caldwell in 2:47. Greg Slivka of Warren Hills (120), Zeb Burke of Hackettstown (160) and Carson Grogan of Belvidere (285) also finished fifth in their weight divisions.

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