2/12/2011 - American Division Up For Grabs
So just when think you have the American Division of the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference figured out in boys basketball, last week happens.
Sure, with a logjam up top at the start of the week with four of the eight teams tied for first in the loss column, you knew things would shake out a little bit. But did anyone think it would be Mount Olive and Morris Hills sitting on top?
Besides their respective schools, I don’t think anyone thought that Mount Olive at 9-3 and 14-5 overall and Hills at 8-3 and 14-5 overall would be the teams to beat with one week left in the regular season.
This is no knock on the Marauders and the Scarlet Knights. They are both solid clubs with some very nice players. The high-flying Marauders can score at an alarming rate and are led by Elvis Hodzic, Justin Palanci and Francis Mancho.
Mount Olive had a big week with a 69-66 OT win over Vernon and a victory over Montville to give itself a ½ game lead over Hills, who beat the Marauders earlier in the season.
Mount Olive suffered a big loss to Pope John on opening night before avenging that defeat with a one-point win. It also lost to Sparta in a close one. Mt. Olive will close out its division slate with home games against Morris Hills on Tuesday and High Point Thursday.
The Scarlet Knights came into the season as one of the top teams in the league and they haven’t disappointed. V. Simpson Turner, Ranell Bell, Evan Staikos and Antonio Castro play extremely well as a unit with no one superstar.
The Knights have suffered tough losses to Vernon and Montville (we will get to them in a second) and they were blown out by Pope John. Hills still has to travel to face scrappy High Point Monday, Mt. Olive Tuesday and they will cap their season-deciding week home against Pope John. Pretty easy, huh?
On paper it looks like Mt. Olive has the advantage with nine wins in the bank and it could still win the league with a split. Hills has three games in one week, which also puts it at a disadvantage.
And still lurking in the shadows is Pope John. The Lions (12-4, 7-4) looked magnificent against Vernon in a blowout and the took care of Jefferson before falling for the second time this season to Sparta, 48-38. PJ still has to play Montville, Morris Hills and High Point.
It looked like the Lions were the team to beat until that loss to the Spartans, who at 10-6 and 5-5 maybe the best team in Sussex County right now.
Vernon (10-6) fell out of contention last week with the losses to PJ and Mt. Olive and stand at 6-5 after getting off to a 6-2 start. The Vikes were without Dan Tintle for five games due to a hand injury which definitely hurt their cause.
So who will walk away as champs? Right now, I’m leaning toward Mt. Olive. Morris Hills is probably kicking itself for its loss to Montville as is Vernon. The Mustangs (5-13) are just 3-8 in the loop, but own two quality wins, showing the depth of the division.
At one time or another, the top five teams in the division could lay claim as the top dog, but it looks like when the dust settles it will be the Marauders.
And who would’ve thunk it after it got blown out by PJ on opening night?
The Freedom Division is much more tidy as Hopatcong (13-6) clinched a share of its second straight crown with a 60-21 win over Kittatinny to put the Chiefs at 8-0 with two games left against Wallkill Valley, which it nipped 57-55 in their first meeting, and Newton.
Wallkill Valley (11-8) is in second at 6-2 with games against Lenape Valley and Hopatcong.
Here are the updated standings: American: Mt. Olive 9-3, Morris Hills 8-3, Pope John 7-4, Vernon 6-5, Sparta 5-5, Jefferson 4-8, Montville 3-8, High Point 2-8.
Freedom: Hopatcong 8-0, Wallkill Valley 6-2, Hackettstown 5-3, Lenape Valley 3-4, Newton 1-7, Kittatinny 1-7.
On the girls side, High Point is having a dream season at 19-0 and the Wildcats are 11-0 in the American with the division crown just a formality at this point. High Point has topped its closest competitor Jefferson (18-2, 10-2) twice and should win its second straight NJAC division title after winning the National last year.
Hackettstown is in first in the Freedom, but the Tigers lost their top player Sarah Kayal for the rest of the season due to an injury. But give the Tigers credit for topping a much improved Lenape Valley squad 43-40 the other night.
But the division is not sewn up as the Tigers fell to 7-2 after losing to Wallkill Valley Saturday night. Lenape Valley (5-3) and Newton (5-3) have a chance to share the title if the Tigers lose to Newton on Tuesday.
Lenape Valley, which is having a great year under coach Kat Boger at 12-6, still has to play Wallkill Valley and a very tough Kittatinny team. The Cougars are 13-7 (4-5), their best record in 14 years under coach Andy Meyers.
Newton (8-11) will face Hackettstown and Hopatcong. If Newton finds a way to beat the Tigers and Lenape wins its two games, we very well could have tri-champs in a six-team league with Newton the favorite against Hopatcong.
Ugh.
I can’t wait for North Warren to join the Freedom in the Fall of 2012 so these teams can play at least 12 league games. Ten is not enough.
Here are the updated girls standings: American: High Point 11-0, Jefferson 10-2, Sparta 7-4, Vernon 6-5, Pope John 5-7, Morris Hills 4-7, Mt. Olive 3-9, Montville 0-12.
Freedom: Hackettstown 7-2, Lenape Valley 5-3, Newton 5-3, Wallkill Valley 4-4, Kittatinny 4-5, Hopatcong 0-8.
That’s it for now, see you on the sidelines.
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