5/8/2012 - Spartans Eye H/W/S Title
The last two years, Sparta’s boys lacrosse team has been the top seed from Sussex County in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament.
And the last two years, the Spartans have come up short in their ultimate goal of winning the title with two heartbreaking defeats, including last season’s stunning 6-2 loss to Vernon in the tourney semifinals.
Well, the Spartans will look to change their H/W/S fortunes this week as the tourney kicks into gear with first-round and quarterfinal round action at the home of the higher seed.
The Spartans (8-4), once again, are the highest seed from Sussex as they landed the No. 2 spot behind two-time defending champion Hunterdon Central (12-2) which topped Vernon 14-4 in last year’s championship game at Vernon.
First-round games are Wednesday, May 9 and the quarterfinals are Friday, May 11. The semifinals are set for Monday, May 14 with the final to be contested on Wednesday, May 16 at 6 p.m. at Hunterdon Central High School.
This year’s edition of the Spartans has a nice blend of veterans and young players. Tommy Keller, Jack Levecchi, Colin Sullivan, Will McHugh, Zack Eberding, Erik Lanyi, John Puscz have all contributed, while sophomore goalie Regan Penner has been terrific for second-year coach Chris Bivona.
The Spartans received a first-round bye as did HC and the Spartans will face the winner of No. 7 North Hunterdon/No. 10 Newton on Friday at Sparta.
Here is a breakdown of the first-round matches.
(9) North Warren at (8) Lenape Valley---This should be a great one with overtime a distinct possibility. In the battle of the Patriots, the Pats from Lenape Valley are playing some real nice lacrosse these days having won six of their last seven.
The only loss suffered by the Pats (9-5) was a tough 8-6 setback to Kittatinny. Kyle Shannon is their best overall player while Mike Cirone, Bryan Galligan and Freddy Sharnikow have the ability to score in bunches. T.J. Rodland is a groundball machine and Corry Boyle is one of the best face-off men around.
Sophomore goalie Dan Hosler has been solid in replacing the injured Chad DiRupo in goal.
North Warren (6-8) is extremely young, but talented as the Pats compete in the Skyland Conference and the Klank Division under Hall-of-Fame coach Spence Willard. Nolan Robertson keys the Pats on both sides of the ball, while Greg Galante has developed into a consistent scorer.
Brian Wilbur is the catalyst while Martin Ryzoff keys the defense in front of keeper Greg Geueke.
In a classic, I will go with the home Pats from Stanhope, who will earn a bid to face Hunterdon Central.
The Red Devils have been tremendous this season for coach Mike Vergalito. Blake Searfoss is one of the top players around, while reigning MVP of the tourney Chris Sawyer returns as does Brian Rikenbach, Paul Leonhauser, Zack Schreck and goalie Jake Anderson.
HC is the prohibitive favorite to win it all for the third straight year.
(12) Wallkill Valley at (5) Vernon---This is a tough draw for Wallkill Valley as the Rangers will travel to face a very good Vernon team.
Vernon is 9-7 and has won four straight for veteran coach Harry Shortway. The Vikes own a 10-9 win over Sparta and have played a tough schedule. Anthony Biango, Justin Casler, Chris Rourke, Travis Pappas and Brian Mills spark the attack. Joey Canal is a solid long pole middy and Shane Henderson and Matt Wighard key the defense in front of keeper Kevin Nix.
Wallkill (4-9) has struggled but the gritty Rangers will come after you. Andy Landolfi is a legitimate finisher on the attack, while Mike Conte and John Anthoney Stuart can also score. Keeper John Whelan is one of the best around, but he will see too many shots as Vernon will advance.
(13) Warren Hills at (4) Delaware Valley---Warren Hills (1-13) is new to the tourney and the Blue Streaks will get a baptism by fire against the Terriers (8-7).
Del Val has been tough all season and only lost to No. 3 Voorhees 8-7, while the Terriers topped North Warren 7-4. They look to goalie Dan Rose, Josh Janssen, Mike Betz, Jake Steiger, and Cody Kroemmelbein.
The Blue Streaks attack has been paced by Karl Meier. Look for Del Val to move on easily.
(14) High Point at (3) Voorhees---High Point has struggled this season, but the young Wildcats play hard every game for coach Marc Russell.
High Point (2-8) counts on the Mathes brothers, Zach and Tyler, to lead the way. Voorhees (9-3) has been one of the more consistent programs in West Jersey over the years under coach Tim Cullen.
The Vikes are placed by Anthony and Zack Raposo, who have been outstanding and tough to stop. Jack and Tyler Olson and goalie Mike Monaco are also solid. Look for the Vikings to win big here and move on.
(11) Pope John at (6) Kittatinny—This might be the most intriguing match up of the first-round as it pits a Rizk Division squad against one of the top teams in the Pooley.
Pope John (5-10) is in the middle of a six-game losing steak, but the Lions have the ability to play well. They have played some of their Rizk foes very tough, but haven’t put it together this year.
Davis Stoner, Ian Murdoch and Alexander Hahn have been bright spots. But Kittatinny (10-2) looks like the team in this showdown. The Cougars came up a win shy in the Pooley race and have played nice lacrosse for coach George Morville.
Kevin Knissel might be the best finisher in the area with 33 goals and 30 assists. Pat Scott, Garrett Armstrong and Nick West can also find the back of the net. Dylan Wunder is a monster on groundballs and Mike Sheehy and Dan Kent key the defense in front of keeper Jake Drelich.
The Cougars suffered a tough blow last week when hard-hitting defenseman Connor Deem was lost for the season due to a knee injury, but I think the Cougars have enough to hold off the Lions to move on.
(10) Newton at (7) North Hunterdon---The seeds did not do Newton any favors as the Braves (8-7), who are having their best season ever under coach Brian Bennington, have to face maybe the states’ best 4-13 team in North Hunterdon.
Newton, in just its third year of varsity play, has improved tremendously under Bennington. Kenny Bruscia, Brett Conrads, Kevin Lyons, Kevin Jennings, Mike Pierson have been terrific. And Newton has a chance in this one because goalie Kyle Morel is one of the best around.
But North, which plays one of the top schedules in the state, owns wins over Delaware Valley, but it lost to Voorhees 10-5. The Lions also fell to HC 14-6 and look to Pierce Hyldahl, Chance Wenberg and TJ Marron while goalie Jack Keefe anchors the defense.
Look for North to advance and play Sparta in a very good quarterfinal clash Friday.
So the prediction? No shock here as the Red Devils from Hunterdon Central will hoist the trophy again.
That’s it for now, see you on the sidelines.
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