Manville High Winter Sports Awards
By: Rudy Brandl
Spring season practice started early this year, so it’s about time we took a final look back at the winter athletic campaign at Manville High.
It was a quick 12-week spurt that certainly had its ups and downs. All three MHS varsity teams posted victories in their opening contests but that trend didn’t continue in all cases.
The girls’ basketball team became the first Manville squad to qualify for the state playoffs this school year, making the CJ 1 tournament for the second consecutive season. After a 2-1 start, the boys’ basketball team fell on hard times and only posted one victory in the new year. The wrestling team continued its rebuilding process and improved upon last year’s record but still has plenty of work ahead before it returns to post-season competition.
Baseball, softball and track athletes started working out almost three weeks ago and their games will begin the first week of April. Before we start filling these pages with all of their exploits, let’s reflect back on the best and brightest of the hoop and wrestling seasons in the Manville High Winter Sports Awards:
Best Team Girls’ basketball. For the second straight year, the Lady Mustangs won a dozen games and qualified for the states. The MHS girls finished with a 12-11 record, one-half game better than last year’s 12-12 finish. Tough defense and hustle all over the court were the team’s trademarks once again. The girls clinched their state berth with a win at Bound Brook on the qualifying cut-off day. Manville’s other big win came in the regular season finale, where the girls avenged a prior loss to North Plainfield.
Best Athlete Eddie Mathewson, wrestling. The senior 145-pounder put together a solid final year on the mat. Mathewson opened his personal campaign by capturing the 140-pound title at the Peddie Invitational. It was his second straight Peddie crown. After some tough luck early in the dual meet season, Mathewson went on an 11-bout win streak and finished with a 16-6 record. Mathewson took second place in both the Somerset County and District 18 tournaments at 145 pounds.
Best Coach Paul Lenihan, girls’ basketball. We could give this one to Coach Lenihan twice this time, since he coached both the varsity and jayvee teams. Despite the double duty, Lenihan once again got the most out of his players throughout the program. Both teams posted winning records and the varsity girls became the first group in the school to compete in the state tournament this year.
Most Improved Athlete Joe Zuza, wrestling. Competing at both 189 and 215 pounds, Zuza flourished in his junior year. After posting only six wins over his first two years on the mat, Zuza became one of the team’s most reliable performers. He ranked third on the squad with a 14-12 record and finished a surprising second in the district. Zuza joined senior captain Eddie Mathewson in the Region 5 Tournament. He also finished fourth at Peddie early in the season.
Most Exciting Moments Any win over Bound Brook is sweet for Manville, but few have been as important as the girls’ basketball triumph on the road in the first round of the Somerset County Tournament, which also clinched a berth in the Central Jersey Group 1 playoffs … the boys’ basketball team outlasted David Brearley down the stretch and gave the home fans a rare treat with a 68-66 win in January … the Lady Mustangs played one of their finest games of the year in the regular season finale when they surprised North Plainfield with senior Diana Weaver leading a spirited effort … young wrestlers Nathan Bott. Luis Martinez and Eddie Ferraro had a big night and propelled the team to a home victory over Newark Central.
Biggest Plays Eddie Mathewson staged an amazing rally in the District 18 semifinals when he erased a 4-0 deficit in the final minute and pinned Hillsborough’s Chris Damiano at 5:59 … Jason Lebedz was involved in many tight bouts in the competitive 125-pound class, but few were any more dramatic than his 4-3 overtime victory over Governor Livingston’s Tim Vanderveer … and Brian Teryek hit key free throws to lift the MHS boys to their most exciting victory of the season vs. David Brearley.
Best Game Performances Eddie Mathewson and Joe Zuza powered their way through the District 18 brackets at 145 and 189 pounds to reach the finals and earn a trip to the regions … Amy Ortman had a monster double-double in the CJ 1 playoff game at Granville Charter with 18 points and 14 rebounds … Mark Maychrich erupted for 20 of his 23 points in the second half to lead a frantic rally that produced a big basketball victory over Bound Brook on opening night … Diana Weaver posted five points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals while holding North Plainfield’s best player scoreless in the second half of Manville’s 35-27 victory … and Lisa Lavenia ran the floor with precision and led a hounding defense that lifted the girls to an easy win at Bound Brook in the county tournament.
Salute to Champions Jason Lebedz and Eddie Mathewson opened the wrestling season by winning individual championships at the Peddie Invitational. Lebedz captured a thrilling 11-10 over Pemberton’s Robert Courgis for the 125-pound title, while Mathewson won his second straight Peddie crown with a 5-2 triumph over Pemberton’s Randy Moore at 135.
Freshman Phenoms Luis Martinez, Mike Noble and Ed Zuza combined for 16 victories on the mat this winter.
Sophomore Sensations Wrestler Jason Lebedz and basketball player Joe Adamcik, the only cager to play in all 21 games.
Junior Jewels Basketball players Mark Maychrich, Jimmy Thomaszfski, Robert Snyder, Chris Wass, Amy Ortman, Lisa Lavenia, Heather Mathieu and Renee Giraldi, wrestlers Joe Zuza, Jimmy Noble and Kile Galasso.
Senior Stars Wrestler Eddie Mathewson and basketball players Diana Weaver and Rachel Rivera.