Middlesex County College’s Marisa Daniels (13) from Edison puts up a shot before Atlantic Cape Community College’s Nairobi Hathaway can block it during the Dec. 18 game played at Middlesex County College in Edison. With the 91-80 victory, Middlesex improves to 11-2 overall and 7-1 in Region 19 play. STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER ERIC SUCAR METUCHEN
There are really no words to describe the heavy emotion that surrounded the Metuchen High School boys basketball team when it hosted Bishop George Ahr High School in the season-opener on Dec. 19.
Just five days earlier, team member Conor McCadden passed away following a one-and-a-half year bout with a form of bone cancer. McCadden had recently been told by doctors he had between four to six weeks to live.
Reports chronicling the days leading up to McCadden’s death included details of a Dec. 11 meeting with first-year coach Guy Jensen, followed by a private session with teammates during which McCadden revealed what his doctors told him. As recently as Dec. 13, he was in the stands watching the Bulldogs during a scrimmage. The next day, McCadden passed away.
When reached on Dec. 19, Jensen said the team will honor McCadden’s life in a number of ways this season.
“The kind of cancer that Conor succumbed to is symbolized by the color yellow,” Jensen said. “I don’t know where they found them, but all the players will wear yellow sneakers for the remainder of the season and the coaches will wear yellow ribbons on the lapels of [our] jackets.
“I’m sure a lot of other things are planned, but after talking to our principal, [Bruce Peragallo], and athletic director, [John Cathcart], the mindset moving forward is to begin the healing process.”
A chair on the Metuchen bench will remain vacant at all home and away games this season as another constant reminder of McCadden.
Girls basketball
The Metuchen girls basketball team took its lumps last year in the Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) Blue Division (made up predominantly of Group II teams), finishing 19-9 overall and 11-5 in the division. However, the Bulldogs, a Group I team, used the experience to win the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I title against South River High School.
Whether Metuchen repeats and progresses in the state tournament will depend on its ability to replace a major hole in the lineup left by Cassie Smith, who graduated along with her 27-point average. Smith, who is now at Bentley University, was not only the leading point producer, but she also provided stability and leadership.
A core of five players will be asked to help make up for Smith’s departure. They include seniors Liane Cifrodelli (guard), Samantha Streckfuss (guard) and Kelly Eustace (forward), junior Kelly Beck (guard) and sophomore Brooke Bandola (guard).
A group of newcomers, however, could have a major impact on the team’s success. They include sophomore Tori Czochanski (guard) and freshmen Rory Josell (guard), Allison Carr (center), Kerri Farrell (center) and Ginny Clarke (forward).
Coaching this group is Pat Mayo, who is in her second year at Metuchen after a sterling career at Piscataway Township High School, where her teams won multiple GMC and state sectional titles. Mayo’s experience will undoubtedly help the Bulldogs as they seek to compete in the Blue Division and become tournament ready.
Metuchen opened its season at home against Mother Seton Regional High School on Dec. 19 in the opening game of a doubleheader with the boys playing the second game against Bishop Ahr. The Bulldogs will then visit Middlesex High School on Dec. 22 before the holiday break.
Metuchen will participate in the Marlboro Tournament. The Bulldogs meet Bernards High School on Dec. 27. The other teams in the tournament are New Brunswick High School and the host team. The final and consolation games are scheduled for Dec. 29.
J.P. STEVENS
The J.P. Stevens High School girls basketball team finished 6-17 overall and won three games in the GMC White Division. Whether the Hawks are able to improve this season depends on the performance of four returning regulars and a cast of newcomers hoping to make an impact on the rotation.
The four experienced players are senior Jaarini Vellore (forward), and juniors Rebecca Diserio (forward), Kathleen Tong (guard) and Molly Yelencsics (forwardguard).
The newcomers are senior Sarah Martinez, juniors Grace Kau, Mary Kelly and Lauren Tencza — all guards — and sophomores Laya and Lipi Paladugu, both guardforwards.
“We’re a little older and wiser,” said Amy Bonk, a former East Brunswick High School center who is in her third season as coach at J.P. Stevens. “Hopefully, that will enable us to out-hustle our opponents. The key to the season will be how hard we work for rebounds.”
The Hawks opened their season at Monroe Township High School on Dec. 19, paid a visit to South River on Dec. 20, and will participate in the Vajda Holiday Tournament on Dec. 26, when they face the Wardlaw- Hartridge School.