Manville boys gain share of division hoops title

Mustangs tie Oratory Prep for Sky crown

By: Shawn Tyrrell
   
   The last time the Manville High boys’ basketball team shared or won a division crown was 15 years ago when MHS and St. Mary’s finished tied in the Mountain Valley Conference.
   It’s been along time in between banners, but last Thursday afternoon the Mustangs broke the drought by beating a stubborn Newark Technology team 35-28 to clinch a tie and a share of the Sky Division title with Oratory Prep.
   Both schools finished conference play at 8-2, having split their head-to-head games. Being crowned co-champs for Manville was huge, especially considering that the team struggled and managed to win only three games last season.
   The victory over Tech was far from easy as elements both on and off the court contributed to making this an even tougher contest. The Mustangs entered the game with the added pressure knowing that with a win they would tie for the title. They had to go on the road to do it.
   "We knew it would be a tougher game this time around than the first time we played them," Manville season scoring leader Brian Teryek said. "We had to earn the victory and we did."
   Perhaps the greatest challenge for MHS was the weather and the role it played even before tip off, as both schools were unable to practice for three days due to the snow. The Mustangs also had problems getting to the game as heavy traffic problems forced a late arrival to the game, which gave the team little time to prepare.
   "The weather and traffic really killed us," Manville head coach Larry Blasi said. "At least we were able to get a practice in on Wednesday, but it wasn’t a good one as we were sloppy. That sloppiness carried over and the kids were stiff having been on the bus for almost two hours to get to the game."
   Therefore, it took the Mustangs a while to get going against the feisty Newark Tech squad.
   "We were up against a very athletic team and early on we didn’t play very well," Blasi said. "Fortunately for us, Newark Tech was in the same boat as we were by not being able to practice for a few days."
   The low scoring by both teams was a bit surprising in this game. The last time these two teams met, they combined for 110 points with Manville coming out on top 64-46. This time around, it was very different as for the first three quarters both teams averaged just over eight points per period. But in the fourth, the game turned in the Mustangs favor as they outscored Newark Tech with a 13-2 closing run.
   Mark Maychrich found his shot and scored nine of his 11 points in the final period to lead the Mustangs. While Maychrich was doing it offensively, the rest of the Mustangs were responding on the defensive end.
   "In the fourth quarter Chris Wass made two huge steals," Teryek said. "One he put back himself the other he dished to Mark (Maychrich), who made the basket and turned it into a 3-point play. That boosted everyone’s confidence and was a total momentum swing. Once we got the ball we held onto it and we got the win."
   "We played a great fourth quarter," Blasi added. "We went to our zone press, which is where we apply pressure all over. We also decided to go to a smaller lineup and it was very successful as we were able to get them to turn the ball over. Our kids played aggressive defensive and made them work hard getting the ball up the court."
   Once the Mustangs forged ahead and finally took the lead, they did a great job preserving it.
   "I told the kids early on in the second half to take goods shots and not force anything," Blasi said. "Once we took the lead we didn’t push anything and played smart. The result was that we were really able to control the last four minutes of the game. I am really proud of how we played those last four minutes."
   Players like Rob Snyder, who had six points in the game, and Wass were key in the fourth period. Wass, as coach Blasi said, "was everywhere taking the ball away and getting key steals." If there has been one strength for the Mustangs this season it has to be the play of the team’s bench.
   Manville, now at 14-6 entering tonight’s game at Dunellen, has accomplished two of the goals the team set early on at the beginning of the season. The Mustangs won a Somerset County Tournament game and got a piece of the conference title. Now, with he state tournament set to begin March 8, the team hopes to achieve one final goal for the season..
   The Mustangs did receive some good news in addition to their No. 2 seed for the Central Jersey Group 1 playoffs. The team will also receive a first round bye since Highland Park was bounced from the tournament.
   So, if the MHS boys can beat the winner of the Perth Amboy Tech/East Brunswick Tech in next Saturday night’s semifinal round at home, they will make the finals of the tournament.