3/16/2011 - Lions Saga Continues
Have you heard about the latest soap opera to hit the area? It is called “As the Lions Turn.”
It is an interesting tale of how a Hall-of-Fame football coach and the powerful leader of the parochial school he brought 373 wins to parted ways.
The coach, Vic Paternostro of Pope John, claims he did not step down due to health issues. But Monsignor Kieran McHugh, the longtime guiding force of the school in Sparta, said he did.
So whom do you believe? Well, I will leave that up to you. But here is a fact check in response to some of the rumors floating about.
No. 1—As of Tuesday, Pope John had not hired a head football coach and had not hired the assistant coach from Don Bosco that everyone has been talking about. I’m not going to name him because I don’t want to perpetuate the rumor. This was confirmed by McHugh.
No. 2—Sparta High School has not, according to its athletic office, added former Lions assistant and High Point head coach Chris Kapplemeier to its staff. “Kappy” served as an assistant at Sparta under Pat Shea during Shea’s first run as the head coach.
But this is not to say this isn’t going to happen. It just isn’t official yet.
No. 3—Paternostro is going to coach at Sparta and Pat Shea, a PJ alum, is going back to take over the program. What? The only thing I can say in response is that some people in this county have a great imagination.
All in all, like I said in my previous blog, there are many people out there who are reveling in this situation. But in my view, when the premier football program in the area is in a state of flux, it is a shame.
Love’ em or hate’em, the Lions bring notoriety to the county when it comes to athletics. But knowing McHugh, he won’t sit still too long and the football program will move forward with or without Vic.
I just hope things can be worked out between the two, and that doesn’t necessarily mean bringing Vic back. It is just a shame that the two men that have brought so much glory to the school have had their parting played out in such a public manner.
But this story is far from over, not by a longshot. There are two major stories here and one is playing out right now with Vic’s departure. The other, as I stated in my previous blog, is what direction will the Lions take in their next hire.
Stay tuned.
NORTH-SOUTH GAME—What a great year it was for hoops in the Mugs Media area and four players who played big roles in that will display their talents at the annual North-South All-Star Game Sunday at the Poland Spring Arena in Toms River.
The area will be well represented on the North girls squad with four players being named to the team which is led by Jefferson coach Jim O’Connor.
Leanna Tallamy of High Point, the two-time Mugs Media Player of the Year, Cassie Flaherty of Jefferson and Casey Cresbaugh of Sparta will represent the area.
Matt Tobin of Hopatcong, the Mugs Media Player of the Year and Sussex County’s all-time leading scorer with an astounding 2,350 points, was the only player from the area to be named to the North boys squad.
The boys game is slated for noon and the girls game 2 p.m.
Tallamy’s selection caps a terrific senior season for the outstanding High Point post player. She led the Wildcats to a school-record 27-1 mark and the squad’s first Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament title.
She is also the school’s second all-time leading scorer with over 1,400 points.
Flaherty has been a dangerous 3-point threat for O’Connor and the Falcons the last three seasons, but she expanded her game this year to become a complete player. She can handle, defend and pass, but, she still owns the deadliest eye in the area from beyond the arc.
And what can you say about Cresbaugh. She was the do-it-all leader for Hall-of-Fame coach Fred Geffken, who has sent numerous players to this game, including Cresbaugh’s sisters, Keri and Jamie.
Tobin’s selection is an obvious one, but the interesting tidbit here is that he follows in the footsteps of his brother, Mike, and his father, Dennis, in being chosen. Dennis played in the first game back in the late 1970s for Hopatcong.
If you add all the points the Tobin family has scored for Hopatcong, including Hopatcong coach Jim Tobin, the first Tobin to play for the Chiefs, and Meghan Tobin, Matt’s sister, the family has amassed well over 7,000 points.
Pretty incredible, huh? I believe the Cleary family (and I’m not related to Joe Cleary and his son Kevin) is about 7,000 points behind!
One final all-star game note, the annual Morris-Sussex Boys Basketball All-Star Game will be held Wednesday, March 23 at Hopatcong High School at 7 p.m. The rosters haven’t been set yet, according to Jim Tobin, but the game is usually a fun affair with the top seniors from each county going at it for one last time.
WALLKILL VALLEY HALL OF FAME—Wallkill Valley AD Todd Van Orden is trying to get a Wallkill Valley Hall of Fame off the ground and the athletic department is sponsoring a pro Wrestling Show Saturday March 26 at the school to raise money for the Hall.
It is a great cause and anyone who ever played for Wallkill or even the old Franklin High School should come out and support the event. The school will be celebrating its 30th year next school year after opening its doors in the Fall of 1982.
It blows my mind that Wallkill is 30 years old. I remember when it opened and how amazed I was at how big the gym was and the school. It is still one of the nicest facilities in the county and the administration there knows how to host an event.
For more info, call the school at 973-827-1400.
That’s it for now, see you on the sidelines.
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