Future remains bright at HHS
By: Rudy Brandl
Graduation always sends a bunch of fine, talented athletes off to college, leaving high school coaches to wonder how their teams will recover, regroup and rebuild after losing stars who have led their teams for the past few years.
While Hillsborough High’s senior class of athletes certainly will be missed, there’s more than enough talent in the underclass ranks to help all the teams make a very smooth transition into next year. That was particularly true in the spring athletic season, where youth was definitely served in 2003.
Think about all the freshmen and sophomores who made a major impact on the HHS playing fields this spring. Many of these athletes were participating in a varsity sport for the first time, yet they often demonstrated the poise and ability to dominate the more seasoned veterans.
The HHS girls’ track and field team sent two freshmen to the NJSIAA Meet of Champions. Both young ladies finished 10th in their best event.
Allison Marcsisin, who’s already closing in on Kristen Meyer’s school records in the 1,600 and 3,200, finished 10th in the 1,600 with a time (5:11.72) that wasn’t even her best. Marcsisin had run 5:06.5 at the Central Jersey Group 4 Championships, one of several meets in which she pulled off grueling distance doubles.
After scoring the game-winning goal in a sectional playoff soccer victory at Steinert in the fall, Marcsisin made a major surge on the state scene as a distance runner during the winter and spring. Meyer is regarded as the best distance runner in school history but Marcsisin could break her records before she graduates in 2006.
Pole vaulter Robin Friedman, also an accomplished gymnast, matched her best career effort of nine feet to finish in the state’s top 10. Friedman is part of a young pole vault crew that includes several returning athletes who eclipsed at least 9-0 during the season.
Other young female track athletes to watch in the future include freshman javelin thrower Colleen Maloney and sophomore pole vaulter Eileen Cafferty, who set the school record (9-7) in winning the CJ 4 title.
Outstanding seniors and juniors powered the boys’ track and field team, but a handful of freshmen and sophomores made noise. Watch for sophomores Matt Bitten, Adam Mallet and Chris Berezansky and freshman distance runner Brian Dennis next year.
Youth was most prevalent on the Hillsborough baseball and softball diamonds this spring. Veteran baseball coach Norm Hewitt continued to applaud his young pitching staff and couldn’t stop singing the praises of freshman cleanup hitter Tim Fedroff, who also emerged as a dependable hurler.
Fedroff piled up some impressive numbers in his rookie year with the Raiders. He’s on pace to set new records for career performance after batting .468 with six doubles, two triples, four home runs, 21 RBI and 24 runs scored. Fedroff also went 4-2 on the mound, beating East Brunswick in the state playoffs and Hunterdon Central in a must-win game that helped the team win the Delaware Division crown.
Sophomore Mark Demetriou emerged as the ace of the young Raider staff, posting a 5-2 record with an impressive 1.97 ERA and amazing nine pickoffs. What makes Demetriou’s sub-2.00 ERA most astounding is the fact that he beat Immaculata and North Hunterdon, two of the state’s finest teams, with complete game masterpieces. Demetriou fired a one-hit shutout in the division clinching victory over North.
Another sophomore joined his young mates as a major spark. Leadoff hitting center fielder Brandon Shamy was on base all the time, batting .406 with a team-high 13 steals. The speedy Shamy could cover ground and make things happen on the bases.
Cheryl Iaione watched her young softball program grow in confidence and maturity en route to the team’s first Somerset County title since 1975. Looking at a roster rich with sophomore starters, Iaione has to believe her team has a shot at making it two or three in a row.
Sophomore cleanup batter Chrissy Yard led the team with 15 RBI and was the winning pitcher in the SCT championship victory. When the lefty wasn’t mowing down hitters, she played impeccable defense at first base.
Candy Palumbo, a sophomore in her second year as the starting third baseman, led the Raiders with 30 hits and a .366 batting average. Palumbo batted in the No. 3 slot and displayed her rocket arm after fielding bunts at the hot corner.
Fellow sophomore Christine Rash emerged as a solid defensive catcher in her first varsity season. Rash won the starting job and gunned down 9-of-21 runners attempting to steal. Sophomore Lisa Pancoast notched the game-winning hit in the ninth inning of the team’s 1-0 victory at Freehold Township in the Central Jersey Group 4 quarterfinals.
The Raider youth movement extended to the tennis court, golf course and lacrosse fields. The most successful singles player turned out to be freshman Dan Cohen, who compiled a 12-5 record mostly at third singles. Cohen also played some matches in the No. 2 slot and won a big one to decide a state playoff win over Manalapan.
First singles player Thomas Kinrade went 11-7 in a sophomore season that included his first state singles tournament triumph. Freshman John Wu and sophomore Will Daly enjoyed winning records in their first year on the varsity circuit.
The HHS golf team rebuilt with a new group of young players and finished with a 9-9 record. Freshman Steve Cannon started fast and finished as the team’s top performer. Sophomores Matt Simonik and David Venanzi also posted scores and hope to continue shaping this team’s bright future.
While neither lacrosse team finished with a winning record, both can look to a group of young athletes to build their programs. The boys will rely mostly on rising juniors, but sophomore Ryan Fitzgerald became a defensive force this spring and sophomore Andrew Potts made strides on attack.
One of the spring’s most electrifying athletes was freshman lacrosse sensation Ali DeLuca, who led the girls’ team with 37 goals. DeLuca picked up her scoring after a slow start and led the team to a strong finish. DeLuca, also a talented basketball player, already holds the school’s single-season girls’ record for lacrosse goals. More records are certainly within DeLuca’s grasp.
Although many fine HHS senior athletes graduated last week, freshman stars like Marcsisin, Fedroff and DeLuca are poised to carry on the school’s great athletic traditions.