by Josh Lashley, Special Writer
Boys basketball
The Hamilton West High School boy’s basketball program, which finished January in a strong way and began this month by continuing their winning ways, is scheduled to take part in the upcoming Mercer County Tournament, with opening round starting on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
Recently, Dan Garcia paced all scorers with 13 points as the Hornets raised their overall season record to 13-4 by topping Hightstown, 52-48. Malik Snead added 12 points in the winning effort. Hamilton outscored their opponents, 29-24, in the second half.
Nottingham recently topped Princeton, 59-56, behind a game-high 18 points from D’Andre Mathis. Stephen Adams (13), Kevin Alexis (11) and Tevin Williams (10) also reached double digits in points scored for the Northstars. Nottingham held a 16-6 lead after the first quarter.
In a recent 49-46 overtime setback to Notre Dame, Nick LaBelle led all scorers with 17 points for Steinert. Shane Plunkett tallied 10 points for Steinert. The Spartans were outscored, 7-4, in the extra session.
Girls basketball
Courtney Adams and Natalya Rivera each posted 10 points to help lead Hamilton West to a recent 33-25 victory over Pennington. The Hornets held the opposition to seven points in the first half.
The Mercer County Tournament will began Feb. 18.
Wrestling
Nottingham went 3-0 in weekend competition with wins over Verona (47-21), Highland Park (65-15) and South Brunswick (36-35). Josh Magee and Marquis King each went 3-0 individually for the Northstars. Nottingham has a quad meet at John F. Kennedy (Iselin), which also includes Spotswood and East Brunswick on Feb. 15.
Steinert finished 1-1 in dual meet action this past weekend with a victory over West Windsor Plainsboro South (42-34) and a loss to Jackson Liberty (50-24). Brandon Cray (113 pounds), Nathan Benitez (138 pounds), Alex Rubio (152 pounds), Matthew McDonald (170 pounds), Chris Scordo (195 pounds) and Michael Remboski (285 pounds) all won by fall in the triumph over West Windsor Plainsboro South.
McDonald and Remboski won by fall, and River Ullrich (220 pounds) won by technical fall for Steinert in the defeat to Jackson Liberty. Cray won by a major decision and Rubio earned a decision win for the Spartans. Steinert is scheduled to have a road match at Princeton on Feb. 15.
Hamilton West was defeated by Rancocas Valley (60-18) and Pemberton (66-10) in mat competition over the weekend. Anthony Bohorquez (106 pounds), Jean Veillard (138 pounds) and Darius Colon (195 pounds) all won by pin-fall for the Hornets against Rancocas Valley. William Eversberg (160 pounds) won by a major decision versus Pemberton. Va’Zay Childs (170 pounds) and Janpierre Cruz (182 pounds) earned decision wins for Hamilton against Pemberton opposition.
Hamilton West is scheduled to take part in a quad meet at Cherry Hill West, which also includes Sterling and Schalick on Feb. 15.
