Sports Wrap: Mastropietro Storms Through BC Wrestling Tourney

Not much was expected from the Hasbrouck Heights wrestling team at the annual Bergen County Coaches Association tournament last week.

The Aviators wrestlers finished 26th out of more than 40 teams at the tournament at Rockland County College.

Sophomore Marc Mastropietro made a nice run to the 113-pound weight class final before finally falling to Luis Gonzalez of North Bergen, 11-3.

"He is very tough and has a great technique," said Hasbrouck Heights head coach Craig Messery about Mastropietro who finished third in last year's county tournament.

The other top wrestler that did well at the county tournament was sophomore Kevin Torres at 220 pounds as he just missed making the medal round in dropping the second wrestleback.

The wrestling team dropped to 1-3 on the season with the 55-18 loss to powerhouse North Bergen on Wednesday.

Despite the loss, Mastropietro got some revenge as he defeated Gonzalez in a rematch, 4-3.  The other victories came from junior Alec Claudio who pinned Alec Corrales at 1:31. Mauro Altamuro defeated Orland De Los Sar, 5-1 in the 182 match and Torres gained a forfeit at heavyweight.

Messery knows his team is still growing. "We have a lot of young and inexperienced wrestlers," said Messery who added about the dual matches. "We're trying to keep our heads above water."

BCCA Wrestling tournament results

113 - Marc Mastropietro, Heights, defeated Dom Salvatore, Lodi, 3-1, second round, Mastropietro, major decision, 15-3, Kyle Layne, Demarest, quarterfinals Mastropietro, defeated 3-0, Eric Gianntonio, Paramus, semi-finals. Mastropietro, lost 11-3, major decision, to Luis Gonzalez, North Bergen in final.

120 - Sophomore Matthew Danz, Heights, lost, Ridgewood's sophomore Joe Oliva, fall 2:58

126 - Heights junior Matthew Innis pinned by Becton/Wallington's Roy Forys, 3:18

132 - Heights sophomore Victor Arias, pinned by Steven Schneider, 5:38, in first round

145 - Senior Heights Edward Cox pinned Amir George of Hackensack, 1:27, lost 9-3 to Don Bosco's Luke Farinaro in the second round. Cox forfeited bout in wrestleback.

152 - Heights junior Alec Claudio, pinned by Emerson Park Ridge Billy Schwartz, 1:25

160 - Heights freshman Nathaniel Onorato, technical fall to Cory Gottlieb, Pascack Valley

170 - Junior Alex Hodulik, Hasbrouck Heights, lost 4-2 decision to Jonathan Marrero, Bergenfield

220 - Sophomore Kevin Torres, Hasbrouck Heights, won 9-1 over Jose Nobleza of Paramus in the first round, lost to Hunter Kiselick of Bergen Catholic in the second round, pinned at 3:29. Torrez beat Dan Choe of Fort Lee pinned 4:54 in first wrestleback. Lost to Pierce Donegan of Dumont, 12-2 in second wrestleback.

Boys basketball

Hasbrouck Heights (2-3) led late in the game against Rutherford in the New Milford Holiday Tournament Tournament, but the Aviators could not control Bulldogs' Kevin McGorry who put up a game-high 28 points.

Rutherford just had a little too much to drop the Aviators, 53-47, on Dec. 29 in the tournament final.

Junior Joe Crabbe led the Heights in scoring with 20 points while sophomore Mike Schroback added 13 points that included a pair of three-point baskets.

In the first game of the holiday tournament, Heights pulled away in the third quarter en route to a 64-46 win over the host New Milford squad on Dec. 27. Crabbe propelled the Aviators to the victory with 32 points in three, three pointers. Gabe Toledo added 15 to the Heights victory.

Girls basketball

After taking their lumps in the tough West Milford Holiday Tournament including a 51-17 loss to Pompton Lakes, Hasbrouck Heights gave Fort Lee a run for its money in an independent game on Tuesday.

The Lady Aviators had a good middle of the game. It was the ends that did them in, 37-31. Heights started out very slow, falling behind 13-2 after the first quarter.

The Aviators came back and took a 28-26 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Bridgewomen though would overtake Heights.

Despite the loss, Daniella Castellanos had a big game with a game-high 19 points for the Aviators who dropped to 2-3 on the season.

Hasbrouck Heights varsity schedule

Monday, Jan. 9 

Bowling  - Heights v. Palisades Park, Wallington Lanes, 4 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 10

Bowling - Heights vs. North Arlington, Wallington Lanes, 4 p.m.

Indoor Track - Heights at North Jersey Invitational Championships, FDU-Rothman Center, 4 p.m.

Girls basketball- Wallington at Heights, 7 p.m.

Boys basketball - Heights at Wallington, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 11

Wrestling - Becton at Heights, 7 p.m.