Matman Win Again, Punching Ticket to N1G3 Finals

After last week's trouncing of Indian Hills in the regular season, the Paramus Spartans stepped onto the mat this week with a goal of fighting their way into the North 1 Group 3 finals. The Spartans faced top-seeded Northern Highlands in the finals on Friday night.

The third-seeded Spartans showed they were a force to be reckoned with by downing Sparta, 68-7 in the first round and then jumped over Passaic Valley 46-25 as senior Brandon Manosalvos led the way with a pins in 3:07 and 3:47.

Justin Cochran recorded a 7-5 and 5-1 decision, while Nick Ciambrone and Joe Trovato worked their way to a technical fall victory. Laith Abwini (0:10), Nick Spinosa (0:41), Anthon Agnello (2:34, 3:10), Brandon Lopresti (3:26), Nick Bucci (5:14), Brandon Sebahie (1:54, 4:38), Matt Tozzi (1:16, 1:03), and Alex Sebahie (3:00) all recorded pins this week.

Basketball

John Morella made history this week as he netted his career 1,000 point during a 68-38 loss to Pascack Valley. The senior guard banked 22 points in the loss, the second of the week as the Spartans fell to neighboring Paramus Catholic 84-58 previously. In that game Morella netted 24 points.

Brittany Stone has continued to fire the Lady Spartans on the court as the junior banked 60 points between a 66-50 loss to Paramus Catholic and a 41-30 victory over Pascack Valley.

The Lady Paladins were led by Corinne Poitivien's 16 points in their 66-50 win over Paramus.

Paramus Catholic won twice this week along with advancing in the Bergen Invitational Tournament (BIT). The Paladins downed River Dell 80-42 in the BIT as Jalen Henriquez netted a game high 33 points with five treys and then tacked on 20 points in a 84-58 victory over Paramus.

Swimming

The Lady Spartans finished their regular season witha 112-58 loss to River Dell/Westwood as Paramus claimed the 200 Medley Relay (Amanda Boceki, Christina Boyadjian, Tiffany Hsiung, Laura Okechuku) in 2:04.99. Hsiung also took first place finishes in the 200IM in 2:20.04 and the 500 Free in 6:04.21.

Paramus Catholic fell during the Non-Public North A state meets as the Paladins fell 101-69 to Bergen Catholic and the Lady Paladins succumbed to Pope John 111-54.

John Nunez swam the 200 Free (1:58.69) and 500 Free (5:10.01) while Mike Pacheco picked up the 200 IM (2:14.47). Marie Guerrero picked up first place in the 200 Free (2:06.91) and 100 Free (58.42), Jen Antonetti the 100 Butterfly (1:11.41) and the 400 Freestyle Relay team finished in 4:19.47.

Wrestling

To cap off their disappointing regular season, the Paramus Catholic Paladins fell to Northern Highlands, 67-3, as Michael Scaravilli escaped with an 11-10 decision over Matthew Vogel at 132 pounds.

Indoor Track

The Paramus Spartans finished in sixth place overall during the Group 3 state sectionals down in Toms River as Brian Salamanca ran the 55HH for sixth place, Matt Schneider the 400 for second place (finishing nine seconds behind Teaneck's George Jenkins), Mike Secreti took third in the 1600 and fourth in the 3200, and Alek Gulbenkian came in fifth in the shot put.

Ice Hockey

The Spartans started the week with a 9-1 loss to Glen Rock as Matt Harkin netted a third period tally to avoid the shutout but was able to rebound and skate to a 5-1 win over Northern Highlands. Facing the Highlanders, Harkin and James Lyle scored twice each and Rich LaBarbiera finished off one one. Alex Kellenberger stopped 55 shots this week.

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