Remaxers, Washington Chiropractic to meet in Girls 3-4 Division title game
By: Kyle Moylan
Martinez Remaxers defeated Donmar Business Services in an epic overtime game, 22-19, in Washington Township Basketball Association Girls 3-4 Division action.
Down 15-8 heading into the fourth quarter, The Remaxers scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to gain the lead with the clock winding down in regulation. Colette Gazonas led the charge with 4 point in the 4th quarter, including the go-ahead basket.
In the overtime period, a game-winning basket by Natalie Martinez (8 points) put the Remaxers ahead, 20-18. With the score 20-19, Kristen Kowalski (4 points), grabbed a big defensive rebound with 5 seconds to go and drove the court for the final basket, making the final score 22-19.
The strong defense of Abigail Kirkpatrick in the four quarter and of Christina Dottino (2 points) in the overtime helped secure the win. Andrea Escobar, Melissa Ailey, Madison Cortina and Casey Schlotman all played excellent defense throughout the game while Nicolina Iorio handled the ball and scored 3 points to aid the offense.
Donmar’s Hannah Olshevski, who scored 10 points and grabbed 14 boards, made the last shot of regulation count to force overtime. Donmar Business Services ended their season on a strong note with 5 points and 6 rebounds from Mandy Giordano. Nicole Friedberg’s 9 boards and 4 points helped Donmar play an all-around great game. Rebecca Caplinger helped in the paint with 4 rebounds, while Theresa Demkovitz and Nicole Cox each grabbed 3 boards. Despite a sensational effort in the paint by the entire Donmar Business Services team, Martinez Remaxers came through in the clutch to advance in the 3-4 Girls playoffs.
Washington Chiropractic edged out SAFE in a closely contested defensive struggle by a score of 10-8. Washington Chiropractic played a good all-around game to defeat the tough team from SAFE.
Sydney Rubin, Mackenzie Bayless, Lauren Miller and Olivia Armstrong led SAFE’s all-around scoring effort. Annie Piersen, Ally Manners, Loren Klein, Jessica Brady, Samantha Deck and Julia Vardakis played solid team defense. Although they fought until the final buzzer sounded, SAFE did not overcome Washington Chiropractic, who advances to the next round of play.
The 3-4 Girls Finals will have Washington Chiropractic playing The Martinez Remaxers this Saturday at 11:15 a.m. at the Pond Middle School Gym.
BOYS 3-4
33’s Barber Shop advanced in the 3-4 Boys Division playoffs with a win over Central Perk & Bagel, 22-12.
Brandon Klein and Ben Diamond each poured in 8 points, leading 33’s in scoring. On the other side of the court, Ryan McCunney, James Notor and Adam Duvin played oppressive defense.
Central Perk & Bagel started slow but held in for the entire game to keep the pressure on. Joe Giambelluca led the offense with 8 points followed by 4 points from Patrick Virgie. Chris Steward, Jimmy Bradley, Sean Hunter, Colin Clark, Michael Kowalski, Domenick Guido and Revanth Korrapolu all played an excellent game. The coaches would like to thank the entire team for a great season!
Shooting Stars moved on to the finals with a win over Tony’s Farm Market by a score of 24-14. Chris May led the Shooting Stars with 12 points, while teammate Ryan Fisher added 6. Danny Mazer, Matt Spiegel and John Riggs also contributed to the overall scoring effort. Brett Van Tassel, Kyle O’ Kane, Chris Massi and Michael Fisher held down the court with spectacular defense.
Tony’s played an electrifying all-around team game and should be congratulated on an outstanding effort. The Tony’s roster includes Stephen Ciano, Zachary Clarke, Christian Gavalchin, Chris and Scotty Keenan, Jon Korbar, Austin Mayweather, Tim McCahery, Nick Sale and Nick Schafer.
The Shooting Stars will now face 33’s Barber Shop in the Finals on Saturday at the Pond Gym at 10 a.m.
GIRLS 5-6
Villa Barone won an evenly matched game over The Hill Team of Tricounty Remax by a score of 13-8.
Villa Barone won with a solid team defensive effort with every girl doing her part. Aditi Vast locked down the post with several blocked shots, while Addie Calabro and Jamie Migliaccio, who also grabbed a lot of boards down low, chipped in. Chrissy Parylak contributed on the other side of the ball with a key shot, as Alexis Stringfellow also added in with an important free throw. Tori Sankey led the team to victory at point guard, while Allsion Whitty also led the team as they advanced to the finals. The Hill Team had a good all-around effort to cap off the season.
George’s Home Repair won a tight playoff game against Donmar Business Services. Lauren Fischer led the complete team effort with 5 points. Courtney Stahlbrand added spectacular defense and a clutch lay-up near the end of the game. As the clock wound down, Danielle Celano also scored a late basket to keep the lead of George’s Home Repair’s alive. Melissa Sullivan and Kaitlyn Stahlbrand also contributed two key baskets for 2 points each and played a strong all-around game.
For Donmar Business Services, Kellie Donohue’s 7 points and Meredith Clark’s 10 boards weren’t enough for the playoff victory. Abby Schneider and Kaitlyn Seymour also added great defense to finish the season for the team.
The finals have Villa Barone squaring off against George’s Home Repair at the RHS Gym this Saturday at 1 p.m.
BOYS 5-6
Take 5 Gourmet edged Core Fitness Pilates, 23-21.
This semifinal match dealt Core Fitness Pilates a crushing defeat. Core Fitness Pilates had jumped out to a 13-0 first-quarter lead. Chad Scott led the Core Fitness Pilates in scoring with 8 points, followed by Mason Cueto with 7 points, Darron Daniel with 4 points and Niraj Nayak with 2 points. Great defense was played by Ryan Gillen, Tyler Harris, Timmy Santoro and Graham Rousseau.
J&G Construction defeated APCO Petroleum, 39-23, in the other semifinal game.
J & G Construction defeated APCO Petroleum in their semifinal game by the score of 39-23. The scoring was lead by Jordan Mazer with 18 points. APCO Petroleum was lead by Mark Carnavelle with 19 points.
Take 5 Gourmet and J&G Construction will meet in the championship game for the Boys 5-6 Division.
BOYS 7-8
RWJ Hamilton advanced with a tough win over Joseph Kaplan by a score of 46-36.
Down by one heading into the 4th quarter, RWJ put it together with solid defense, great passing and timely shooting. Steven Kowalski led the offense with 19 points, followed by a strong effort by Nick Villa (9 points, including four big third-quarter points). Adam Dublas hit for 6 points, including clutch baskets in the 4th to help secure the win. Zak Zielinski had a good game hitting for 6 points, followed by 4 points from Austin Lazarus and 2 points from Billy Lovering. Brian Wood was big on the glass pulling down several boards. Travis Gross had the defensive play of the game, hustling the length of the court to stop what would have been a fast break basket by knocking the ball away.
Karl Mey’s Collision & Paint moved on to the final round of the 7-8 Boys Playoffs with a 30-25 win over Premier Physical Therapy.
Johnny Demkovitz and Ryan Zuczek led Karl Mey’s balanced attack with 8 points each. Including Johnny and Ryan, seven of the team’s 10 players scored to pull off the win.
Premier Physical Therapy ended the season on a fantastic note with an extraordinary game, with every player giving his all.
RWJ Hamilton will now play Karl Mey’s Collision and Paint in the finals on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at the RHS Gym.
GIRLS 7-8
1st Washington State Bank advanced to the finals with a close victory in a clutch game against Sharbell Development.
Taylor Mayweather led in scoring with 8 points, while Virginia Schneider scored 5 clutch points in the third quarter to lift 1st Washington over the top. Kerry Curran and Kasey McKiernan locked down the post with many key rebounds, which proved to be a key difference maker.
Sharbell Development made their best game their last, keeping pace with 1st Washington the entire game. Both teams played great in this hard-fought battle.
Moldworks defeated Brace Place to add another "W" to their season, this time to earn a spot in the 7-8 Girls Finals.
Brace Place played 110% and stayed with Moldworks the entire game, with every girl playing with all her heart. The team played marvelously the entire season with spectacular teamwork.
With a balanced attack, Moldworks moves on to the 7-8 Girls Finals this Saturday at the RHS Gym at 4:30 p.m. against 1st Washington State Bank.

