Jr. Warriors Open Winter Season With 10 Game Streak

The Jr. Warriors eighth-grade district basketball team started their winter season strong, winning their first 10 games, including the Sid Lee Viking Holiday Tournament, after capturing their fall season championship. 

During that span, the Jr. Warriors outscored their opponents by an average of 23 points. The offense was led by Anthony Marino, Evan Meyers, Justin LaCapra, Lucas Hackett and Mark Ball. The defense was sparked by Anthony Argiro, Patrick Meyers, Jon Catania, Adam Goldstein, Logan Bailey and Eddie Poggi.

The winning streak was broken up on the road by Scotch Plains in a 41-39 loss. In the loss, the Jr. Warriors were led by Justin LaCapra’s 11 points and Eddie Poggi’s 8 points. Scotch Plains overcame a 28-21 halftime deficit with a smothering defense in the second half.

That loss was followed by the Jr. Warriors most exciting win of the season to date. The Jr. Warriors faced  the Old School team in the Jersey City Boys Club League.  The Jr. Warriors trailed 20-14 at halftime and could not get their fastbreak offense on track.

However, Warren’s Jon Catania sparked a second half surge with stifling defense and six points as the Warriors pulled to within two with five seconds to play and the Warriors with the ball. Greenbrook’s Patrick Meyers got off a desperation 3-point shot as the seconds ticked away which glanced off the rim into the arms of Catania who put up the tying shot as the horn sounded and sent the game into OT. In overtime, the Warriors pulled away for a 47-44 victory.

The Warriors won their next game against Westfield dominating the game from start to finish en route to a 54-24 victory. Every Jr. Warrior made the stat sheet as the team was led by Lucas Hackett’s and Justin LaCapra’s 9 points each. Anthony Argiro added 7 points followed by Adam Goldstein, Mark Ball and Logan Bailey with 5 points apiece. Anthony Marino and Jon Catania chipped in with 4 points each and Eddie Poggi, Evan Meyers and Patrick Meyers each added a bucket.

Over the following two weeks, the Jr. Warriors posted a 4-4 record recording wins over Princeton, South Amboy, The Radiant Suns and the Newark Bruins. Against the Bruins, the Jr. Warriors broke the century mark for the first time on their way to a 102-72 win.

As the season approaches the midway point, the Jr. Warriors have compiled a 15-5 record and look to add to their win total in the upcoming weeks.

Submitted by Scott Leonardis