Sports Wrap
Several local wrestlers compete at state championship in Atlantic City By Josh Lashley NEWTON Kittatinny High School senior Clark Moynihan wasnt going to let a quarterfinal round loss at the recent NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships in Atlantic City stop him from earning the right to be called one of New Jersey's best wrestlers in the 152-pound weight class this season. Moynihan, who won his pre-quarterfinal round match by two points, lost to eventual state runner-up Sal Mastriani from Don Bosco Prep by three points in the quarterfinals. From there, he bounced back to win three straight matches via a pin and two bouts which he won with a combined score of 8-0. Those triumphs placed Moynihan in the consolation finals (to determine third and fourth place) where he lost to Jon Schleifer from East Brunswick. Moynihan, who ultimately placed fourth in the state, had a record of 37-5 this year. Raamiah Bethea from Trenton Catholic won the state title at 152-pounds with a pin over Mastriani in the championship match. Other local wrestlers compete at states Senior Jake Connelly from Newton had a 1-2 record at the state competition and finished his final season with the Braves with an impressive record of 41-2. Kieran Gerrity, a sophomore from Kittatinny, went 2-2 at the state competition. He won his opening round match before being defeated by Phil Bakuckas from Hammonton in the pre-quarterfinals. Gerrity won by major decision in his first wrestle-back match then lost in the second round of the wrestle-backs. Gerrity was 31-10 this season. Kittatinys James Elphick was defeated in the opening round by just one point to eventual seventh-place finisher Ryan Pomrinca of North Hunterdon. Elphick had a senior-season record of 18-3. Lenape Valley freshman Glenn Haines (120-pounds) lost his opening round match to Hamilton West junior Jared Staub. Haines tallied a 33-7 record during a solid freshman year. Jake Brook of Kittatinny High School (170-pounds) was defeated in the opening round of the tournament. Despite the loss, he had a solid junior season, which included 25 victories. Girls Basketball Fourth-seeded Lenape Valley was defeated, 54-40, in the quarterfinal round of the NJSIAA North I Group II Sectional tournament by fifth-seeded River Dell. Megan Price tallied a team-high 16 points and Lindsay Sabo scored 12 points for the Patriots. The Patriots got going in the North I Group II bracket with a 62-26 triumph over 13th seeded Elmwood Park. Lenape Valley went on a 24-4 run in the first quarter. Tenth-seeded Pope John was toppled, 57-41, by second seed DePaul in the quarterfinals of the Non-Public North A tournament. Alexis Breheny paced all Lion scorers with 19 points. Victoria DAddario posted 12 points for Pope John. Pope John downed seventh-seeded Pingry, 62-39, in the opening round of the Non-Public North A tournament. Breheny led all scorers with 17 points for the Lions. Pope John held a 32-14 half-time advantage. Newton was edged, 34-32, by Englewood in the first round of the North I Group II playoffs. Boys Basketball In the quarterfinals of the North I Group II tournament, fourth-seeded Newton lost 64-50, to fifth-seeded Manchester. Dan Griffin scored 16 points and Nate Samanns posted 15 points for the Braves. The Braves began play in the North I Group II bracket with a 43-38 win over 13th seed Pequannock. Samanns paced all Newton scorers with 16 points. Ice Hockey Brett Conrads tallied both goals for Newton in a 5-2 loss to Robbinsville in the first round of State Public A tournament. The 23rd seed Braves trailed the 10th seed Ravens, 2-0, after two periods. Pope John was defeated, 4-3, by 15th seed Bergen Catholic in the opening round of the State Non-Public tournament. The Lions were seeded 18th in the bracket.