HHS teams poised for state competition

Baseball, softball, lacrosse, track action on tap

By: Rudy Brandl
   
   Hillsborough High has produced more than its share of athletic excitement already this spring season, winning four Somerset County titles and four Skyland Conference crowns. This week marks the beginning of sectional competition in most sports and many HHS teams will be right in the thick of the championship chase in those events.
   Don’t be surprised if several Raider teams are still competing in June. The softball team has already won its third straight county title and first Delaware East Division crown. The girls’ lacrosse squad captured its first county championship this past Sunday.
   Hillsborough continued its recent track and field excellence with the boys sweeping the Skyland Conference and Somerset County relays in addition to winning the county individual meet title and the girls taking home the top prize at the Skyland relay and individual events.
   Here’s a look at the upcoming NJSIAA competition for the HHS teams:
   Baseball — The Raiders were seeded third in the Central Jersey Group 4 bracket. They will host the winner of a preliminary game between Jackson and Brick Memorial on Friday afternoon.
   If the Raiders prevail, they likely will travel to No. 2 South Brunswick for the sectional semifinals May 31. Hamilton East is the top seed and could be waiting in the finals June 3.
   With Drew Campbell slated to pitch the county games, HHS skipper Norm Hewitt will have to look to one of his junior right-handers in the states. Rob Kumbatovic has looked good in recent outings and Tim Fedroff is recovering nicely from a groin injury.
   That nagging ailment hasn’t kept Fedroff from leading the team with eight home runs. Senior shortstop Joe Marangella has been swinging a hot bat.
   Softball — This team has already achieved so much this season, but veteran head coach Cheryl Iaione and her crew aren’t finished. They’d like to make a run in the state playoffs and it starts Thursday afternoon at home vs. Steinert.
   Hillsborough (22-4) earned the No. 4 seed, which gets the team a home game in the quarterfinals but very tough assignment in the semis. Top-ranked Rancocas Valley is ranked third in the state and features ace pitcher Lisa Sweeney, who’s on pace to set the state record for career strikeouts.
   The Raiders have faced some of the state’s best already, so they shouldn’t be intimidated. They’ve also battled and defeated adversity in a huge pressure situation when they rallied from the dead with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to pull out a stunning county championship victory.
   With Chrissy Yard pitching as well as anyone, the Raiders won’t be out of any game. Shortstop Candy Palumbo is having a big year with the bat and fellow seniors Christine Rash and Becky Sullivan have been clutch players.
   Track & Field — The post-season kicks off with this weekend’s Central Jersey Group 4 Championships on the home track at HHS. The top six place-winners and scorers in all events from the two-day meet will advance to the State Group 4 Championships in Egg Harbor June 3-4. This year’s Meet of Champions is set for June 8 in South Plainfield.
   Hillsborough should be in the mix for the boys’ team title in CJ 4, while Jackson is a solid favorite in the girls’ competition. Both Raider teams have enough depth to send a plethora of athletes to the state level.
   Most of the production figures to come in the field, with standout shot putter Chris Berezansky and javelin thrower Colleen Maloney each currently ranked third in the state. Maloney is also a force in the discus and junior Robin Friedman owns the state’s third-best effort in the pole vault.
   Other athletes to watch this weekend and beyond include shot putters Taryn O’Connor and Ingrid Berrio, sprinter Yeneisha Warrick, hurdlers Tyler Szwarc and Ebony Jones, distance runner Brian Dennis and pole vaulters Matt Bitten, Adam Mallet and Steve Theroux.
   Boys’ Lacrosse — The Raiders earned an automatic state playoff berth based on their residence in the A Division. Monday’s victory over Toms River East earned HHS a second round game at No. 7 Bergen Catholic.
   If the Raiders defeat BC, they’ll likely play at second-ranked Shawnee.
   Although the 7-12 record isn’t impressive, fans shouldn’t be shocked if Vin Coviello’s team makes a run. The team has lost a ton of close games, including a few in overtime. Hunterdon Central, the top-ranked team in the section, needed OT to beat the Raiders.
   Girls’ Lacrosse — Is there a hotter team in the area right now?
   Sunday’s victory in the Somerset County finals was the 17th in a row for the HHS girls, who haven’t lost since a 10-9 barnburner at Bridgewater-Raritan on April 5. They avenged that loss with Sunday’s county triumph and enter the state playoffs as the No. 3 seed in the North A section.
   A victory in Wednesday’s first round should produce a riveting quarterfinal matchup vs. Ridge. The game, a rematch of Hillsborough’s exciting 8-7 win in the SCT semifinals, will be played Friday at noon on the stadium turf field.
   Talented scorers Ali and Krystina DeLuca, standout two-way player Caitlyn Glowacki, defensive leader Erin Poulter and much-improved goalkeeper Lauren Griggs lead this very balanced unit.
   If the Raiders can get past Ridge again, they’ll make the final four and probably face No. 2 West Morris Central on May 31. West Morris Mendham is the top seed in the section.