So close, yet so far
Cubile, Lazzarini both gain milestone, but enjoy different success
On the surface it would appear as if Erika Cubile and Patricia Lazzarini have a lot in common. They are both seniors at prestigious parochial all-girls Jersey City high schools where they are standout basketball players.
They are both considered role models for their dedication and devotion to their schools, their respective athletic teams and to the sports in which they participate.
Recently, they also reached the similar scoring plateau, collecting the 1,000th point of their fine careers.
Cubile and Lazzarini attend schools that are perhaps 1,000 feet apart at the most, just a few blocks separating the schools, across a stretch of Kennedy Boulevard. But any atlas or road map cannot measure the distance between Cubile, who plays basketball at the Academy of St. Aloysius and Lazzarini, who plays for St. Dominic Academy.
In reality, they are light years apart. And that’s too bad.
Cubile’s season came to an end Tuesday night, when she scored 17 points in a victory over Good Counsel, a game that received very little fanfare. The Angels finished the season at 7-10 and will not contend for any post-season honors. Cubile’s efforts seemed to get lost in virtual obscurity. Her efforts, albeit outstanding, don’t grab the kind of attention that other players receive.
While Cubile was putting the finishing touches on her high school basketball career, Lazzarini was, in a way, just beginning her new season.
Just a few blocks away, almost simultaneously, when the Blue Devils were defeating Dickinson in the opening round of the HCIAA playoffs, Lazzarini was officially tipping off the second season.
Everyone seems to know about the exploits of the Blue Devils. They are 21-1 and ranked No. 7 in the state. They are the defending county champions, with Lazzarini playing a big role in that title push. More than likely, the Blue Devils will be playing this weekend for their second straight HCIAA crown.
Lazzarini’s 32 points Tuesday night gave her 1,001 career points. Cubile ended her career with 1,086 points, good for second all-time at ASA.
The milestone is an achievement that neither player thought was possible. Cubile never even knew that there was something to get excited about.
"I didn’t even know I was reaching such a plateau," said Cubile, who becomes the fourth player in school history to reach the honor, joining Linda Mitchell (1,471 points), Pam Cerutti (1,079) and Alicia Rodgers (1,075). "When someone told me about it, I got nervous, because it’s such a major accomplishment. And it’s taken so long since someone reached it at the school.” (Rodgers was the last in 1987.)
Lazzarini never gave much thought to the idea, because she rarely played when she arrived at SDA.
"I didn’t start playing a lot until my junior year, so I didn’t even know I could come close," Lazzarini said. "I didn’t know how many points I needed. When everyone came on the court, I was surprised, because I didn’t expect it."
Lazzarini became the 11th SDA player to reach the honor. Her teammate, Sophia Vucetaj, scored her 1,000th point earlier in the season.
"It’s good that we have two players on the same team to get it," Lazzarini said. "And it feels good that I was able to get it. I never thought I would get it."
Cubile said that she doesn’t mind that other players and other teams get all the attention and recognition.
"I realize that there are bigger schools that get more attention," Cubile said. "That used to bother me at first, but it doesn’t anymore. I just go out and play. When I started here, I didn’t think I had the potential to do anything. I was worried about it. I figured high school meant tougher competition. Plus, I’m short (five feet and one inch), so it was tougher for me. I just did my best."
The dedication is the one quality that impresses ASA Head Coach and Athletic Director Rose Anne Costello.
"Erika epitomizes the true student/athlete," Costello said. "She’s been a leader for us for all four seasons. She showed our other players what it was like. She may be quiet and unassuming, but her presence is always felt. And her dedication is remarkable. She plays three sports (softball and volleyball being the others) and she’s the same way in all three. The record speaks for itself. Considering the rich tradition that the school has, it’s a tremendous honor that Erika is only the fourth player to reach 1,000 points."
But Cubile’s great career ends with little recognition, while Lazzarini’s continues under the microscope of a statewide audience, with a possible Parochial A North state sectional title in the making within the next few weeks.
"It’s my last year and I want to make the most of it," Lazzarini said. "I just want us to go as far as possible. Hopefully, we can win the county championship again. I’ve had a great time and I don’t want it to end. There’s nothing I love better than playing with this team."
Cubile wants to play college basketball, but will be performing once again on a smaller stage. She is considering the College of St. Elizabeth, or perhaps New Jersey City University, to study elementary education.
Lazzarini says that her collegiate choices "are wide open" at this point.
"I have to wait and see what happens," Lazzarini said.
She has a second season to play. Some players are just more fortunate than others, even if just just a simple four-lane street separates them. Yes, in this case they are so close, yet so far.