By Wayne Witkowski
Allentown High School’s winter sports scene came to an end last weekend with the girls’ basketball team suffering a gritty 69-61 loss to Neptune High School March 4 in the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group III tournament and wrestlers Joe Lamparelli and Liam McDermott came short of placing in the state championships at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall over the weekend.
Wrestling
Lamparelli, a freshman, reached the third round of the wrestlebacks at 106 pounds when he was pinned by 40-bout winner Dylan Cedeno of Fair Lawn High School at the end of the first minute March 4. He lost on an escape point in the second period the night before to McKenzie Bell of Kingsway Regional High School, 1-0, in opening-round action and bounced back strongly in the wrestlebacks. Lamparelli won his wrestleback opener by a 7-2 decision over Chase Mullarkey of Holy Cross High School and pulled out an 8-6 sudden victory over Freehold High School’s Nico Messina (34-4), who had won the title in Region 6, where Lamparelli finished in third place.
McDermott, a junior who was 30-5 at 170 pounds, lost his wrestleback opener on sudden victory, 8-6, to Anthony Sciuto (37-6) of Northern Highlands Regional High School. McDermott was winning all the way but struggled at the end with soreness in his arm, where he had Tommy John surgery after last season. On opening night, McDermott pinned Charles McCall of Winslow Township High School at 2:46 and then dropped a 7-4 decision to top-seeded Dominick Mandarino of Don Bosco Preparatory High School.
“It’s a new experience for these guys, who will have big responsibilities for next year,” coach Mitch Nock said. “The pain really affected McDermott. With nearly everyone coming back, we’re building the program to where it should be.”
Allentown finished third in District 22 and made the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group IV tournament, where it fell to eventual section champion Jackson Memorial High School in a 14-9 season.
Girls’ basketball
Allentown’s season came to an end at 21-6 when it was eliminated by Neptune in the state tournament for the second time in three years.
Allentown led, 31-30, before Neptune (24-3) roared back. It plays a sectional championship showdown March 7 against Ewing High School, which knocked Allentown out of the Mercer County Tournament semifinals.
“We hit every shot and played good team basketball in the first half, but it came down to boxing out [in the second half],” said Sarina Campanella, who is the lone senior on the team and finished with 18 points.
Ryan Weise led the way with 21 points. Desiree Allen led Neptune with 31 points and led the second-half surge.
“We were prepared, but we knew Desiree had the potential to do what she just did,” Allentown coach Linda Weise said. “I am disappointed in how we defended in the fourth quarter, but these girls had a great season. We needed to be more mentally tough. Desiree is a great player, and you have to give her credit. She played outstanding, and she willed her team to win this one.”
Allentown sank 12 3-point baskets, with eight coming in the first half.
Campanella said she is happy leaving behind for the many returning players a winning trend at Allentown, which has had 20-win seasons the last four years, reached the Mercer County Tournament semifinals three times and advanced to the state semifinals twice during her time at the school.
“I feel we’re recognized around the state now. Six years ago, we were not well known,” Campanella said. “It’s the talent but this year, it’s chemistry because this whole team gets along. We all hang out together on and off the court. Our bonding shows on the court.”
That was evident in the sectional quarterfinals, when Allentown defeated Wall High School, 54-25, March 2. Ryan Weise scored 22 points, and Lauren Coiante fired in 18, while Wall’s top two scorers were held in check. Both will be welcomed back next year.
Weise, who will be starting for her fourth season, led Allentown with 18.9 points per game and 64 3-pointers. She also led the Redbirds with 119 assists and 111 steals. Campanella scored 12.4 points a game with 61 3-pointers. Coiante averaged 8.4 points, including 41 of Allentown’s 188 3-pointers. She also tabulated 82 rebounds, 82 assists and 42 steals.
Top rebounders Marin Hartshorn and Hadley Borkowski, averaging six and 5.4 rebounds a game, respectively, also return with Katie White, who pulled down five rebounds a game. All will be seniors except for Coiante, who will be a junior.