Senior Nick Amitie turned into a real terror when the Cranford High School boys basketball team won three straight games beginning on December 23 with a 68-57 victory over the South Plainfield Tigers (32). Next the Cranford Cougars erupted with a huge 47-15, second-half surge to surpass the New Providence Pioneers, 77-61, in the first round of the Cougar Holiday Classis in Chatham on December 26. One day later, the Cougars settled the Chatham Cougars, 59-51.
AMITIE WOWS THEM ALL WITH 39 PTS, 38 PTS, 34 PTS
Senior Nick Amitie turned into a real terror when the Cranford High School boys basketball team won three straight games beginning on December 23 with a 68-57 victory over the South Plainfield Tigers (32). Next the Cranford Cougars erupted with a huge 47-15, second-half surge to surpass the New Providence Pioneers, 77-61, in the first round of the Cougar Holiday Classis in Chatham on December 26. One day later, the Cougars settled the Chatham Cougars, 59-51.
Amitie rolled in 39 points in the game against the Tigers and added six assists, nine rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Enzo Madrini put in nine points and added a pair of assists, a block and a rebound. Chase Teel pulled eight boards, scored eight points and added three assists and a steal. Chris Santarelli netted seven points, four rebounds and two assists. Josh Ketschke had three blocks, five points, two assists, two steals and a rebound.
Abdul Adebule led the Tigers with 24 points, including four 3-pointers, seven rebounds, two steals, a block and an assist. Ikenna Ibeku sank 10 points (3-pointer) and pulled 13 rebounds to go with three blocks, two assists and a steal. Jordan Jones finished with nine points, four assists, three rebounds and two steals. Dave Wallace sank a 3-pointer and Aiden Noblecilla had two points, a rebound and an assist.
Amitie struck for 38 points and added five rebounds, four steals and three assists against the 3-2 Pioneers. Santarelli bucketed 16 points and added five rebounds, two steals and an assist. Teel finished with eight points and 11 rebounds. Ketschke had six points, four steals, an assist and two rebounds. Jack McGuire dished out six assists and scored five points. Madrini had four points, two rebounds, a steal and an assist. Dylan Aveno had five assists, three rebounds and a steal. Yousf Elashry grabbed two boards.
Pioneer Corey Rust was smooth with 24 points, including 6 3-pointers, to go with a steal, assist and a rebound. Jackson Zarinko sank 10 points (2 3-pointers), dished out seven assists and added two steals and a rebound. Peyton Pazdera finished with six points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal. Jim Miller finished with eight points 2 3-pointers), two assists, two steals and a rebound. TJ Munn had eight points, two assists and a rebound. Sean Reilly scored two points and added two rebounds and an assist.
Amitie went one step better against Chatham with a double-double (34 points, 16 rebounds) to go with three blocks and an assist. Madrini finished with 11 points, six rebounds, an assist and a steal. Santarelli finished with 10 points, a rebound, assist and a block. McGuire had three points, four rebounds and a steal. Aveno had four assists, a point, rebound, a block and a steal. Ketschke had three rebounds and two assists. Ryan Klimko had a rebound.
Quinn Burke scored 10 points for Chatham. Marco Mannino had nine points. Remy deVarenne netted seven points, including a 3-pointer. Will DesMarais banged a pair of 3-pointers. Ryan Leach and Mike MacAniff each scored six points. Mike Tedesco had five points and Nick Fabijanic scored two points.
