Bishop George Ahr High School’s Brianna Foster has the ball in the paint and looks to put up a shot during the Jan. 9 game against North Brunswick Township High School. Visiting Bishop Ahr defeated North Brunswick, 61-41. SCOTT FRIEDMAN ST. JOSEPH
In light of the neck injury suffered by Monroe Township High School ice hockey player Michael Nichols during a game on Jan. 4, St. Joseph High School of Metuchen head coach Ryan Carter was asked what might be done to prevent similar mishaps.
“The [players’] equipment continues to improve each year,” said Carter, who is in his seventh season as coach of the perennial Greater Middlesex Conference (GMC) power. “However, I’m not sure there is any type of equipment that could have prevented [this] tragic injury. One of the most important things young hockey players should remember is if they are sliding headfirst into the boards, they need to get their heads up and try to hit [them] with anything other than their heads.
“The other issue, is that players need to respect each other, and if they don’t see their opponents’ numbers, don’t hit them,” he continued.
St. Joe’s (6-4-2) has experienced an up and down year, but it scored its most impressive victory on Jan. 10, when it defeated Montclair Kimberley Academy, 4-1, a team with an 8-2-1 record and considered one of the best in the state. The victory came after a 2-1 loss to Old Bridge High School two days earlier, the first time the Falcons have dropped a regular-season contest to a GMC opponent since the conference included hockey.
Still, the win over Montclair Kimberley, in addition to an early-season tie against the Delbarton School and a one-goal loss to Don Bosco Preparatory High School, demonstrates that St. Joe’s is a formidable team when it plays its best hockey.
“The goals we set this year are to win the GMC and state championships,” Carter said. “Our schedule has been stacked against excellent teams, so we [understand] what it takes to make a long postseason run.”
Michael Nisky has been outstanding, with nine goals and 15 assists to lead the Falcons. However, the sophomore suffered a fractured collarbone against Old Bridge, which will keep him out of the lineup for the next two weeks. Felipe Rodriguez has been strong (11 goals, eight assists) and is a consistent threat every time he hits the ice. Marc Johnstone (two goals, nine assists) is the calm leader for the Falcons.
Other players who have contributed offensively are senior Louis Ferrara; juniors Julien Hendrickson, Alec Rankin and Brian Reid; and freshmen Brian Coelho and Kyle Jeffers. Junior Paul Cimilluca, and seniors Joe Farley and Brian Shaughnessy have been counted on defensively. Senior Dan Garb and junior Nick Castagno see time in net.
“We have 10 new players this year,” Carter said. “They are learning the system and they’re gaining a better understanding of their roles. As we continue to grow, we know we will be there in the end.”
Swimming
Based on results of dual meets, the rest of the GMC may be catching up with the St. Joe’s swimming team. The Falcons defeated South Brunswick High School, 97-73, and narrowly beat East Brunswick High School, 88-82, before the holiday break. The lone dual meet loss has been to powerful Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School, 105-65.
In the Pirate Invitational held on Jan. 3 at West Windsor-Plainsboro High School South, St. Joe’s placed third behind the host team and Pennsbury High School (Fairless Hills, Pa.), and emerged with the meet’s most valuable swimmer, Joe Baron.
The senior captured the 50- and 100- meter freestyles to earn the title. Other Falcons who have excelled this season are seniors Nick Torrisi, Brendan King and Charlie Butrico.
St. Joe’s practices from 5:15-7:15 a.m. at the Raritan Bay YMCA in Perth Amboy.
“We’ve continued to have success throughout the years, because we’ve had swimmers who are naturally gifted and are willing to work hard,” head coach Steve Whittington said. “That combination not only leads to success, but serves as a template for incoming freshmen.”
EDISON
Amy Hansen, head coach of the Edison High School girls basketball team (1-5), said the Jan. 16 home game with Woodbridge High School has been designated “Pink Day.” In addition to players wearing pink apparel, donations will be collected and presented to the Cancer Care Center at Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick.
Wrestling
Under head coach Tom White, it appears the Edison wrestling team is about to turn the corner and join the top teams in the GMC. The Eagles finished 15-7 last year, including a 3-3 record in the White Division, and is looking to make its mark with similar success this season.
The Eagles feature five wrestlers who won 20 or more matches, led by junior Billy Povlac (29-8, third in the district, fifth in the GMC) at 138 pounds. The others are senior Alex Naiduk (23-13, third in the district, sixth in the GMC) at 113 pounds; Perth Amboy High School transfer, senior Fernando Encarnacion (22-12, third in the district, seventh in the GMC) at 119 pounds; senior Kevin Karvaski (21-13, fourth in the district, eighth in the GMC) at 195 pounds; and junior Carlos Botero (25-11, second in the district, fourth in the GMC) at 220 pounds.
Others who will compete include freshman Robert Cleary at 106 pounds; senior Juan Montes at 126 pounds; senior Michael Crowley (18-18, fourth in the district, sixth in the GMC) at 132 pounds; juniors Joseph Montuoro or Eric Nolan at 145 pounds; junior Russell Rivella at 152 pounds; senior Dino Gagula (14-20, third in the district, eighth in the GMC) at 160 pounds; senior Christian Cuevas at 170 pounds; junior Vlad Torres at 182 pounds; and junior Keith Serio (24-11, third in the district) at 285 pounds.
White has a 34-4 record as head coach and hopes his team will be competitive for the districts and GMCs because of a lineup that is more balanced than in past seasons.
“We’re fortunate to have a number of multi-year varsity starters,” White said. “As coaches, we hope our greatest impact is to make our wrestlers better, no matter what their level of experience, grade or age [is]. Winning is not the ultimate focus, but the quality of their wrestling. If they work toward that goal, the matches usually work out favorably.”
The last time the Eagles won the district title was in 1997. White said his team is also focused on a potential team sectionals appearance.