The Miracle on Bergen Avenue is complete.
A few weeks ago, we highlighted the exploits of the Snyder High School baseball team and their attempt at qualifying for the NJSIAA state playoffs for the first time since 1972.
At the time, it was believed that the Tigers needed only three more wins and they were in – and that they had three very winnable games on the horizon.
There was only one problem. One of those winnable games against Dickinson turned into a stunning loss. Then there were losses to Coviello powers St. Peter’s Prep, Memorial and Emerson, making the dream seem more and more unattainable.
It left the Tigers with one game prior to the state cutoff date last Saturday against St. Aloysius, the final game being played on Friday, the 13th, with no hint of Jason and his mask in sight.
Well, with destiny in their own hands, the Tigers went out and scored 13 runs on May 13, clinching their date with history. So congrats to head coach Rob O’Connor and the hard-working Tigers for completing the feel-good story of the year.
The Tigers will learn their first round state playoff opponent sometime this week…
Almost lost in the shuffle of the stellar individual performances of Kevin Thompson and Leslie Njoku at the HCIAA championships last weekend were the team championships won by Memorial’s boys and St. Dominic Academy’s girls.
Miguel Amaya won both the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs, leading Memorial to a thrilling victory over surprising Hudson Catholic to win the team title for the Tigers.
Meanwhile, the Blue Devils continued their fine season, winning the school’s 14th league title in the last 18 years, with senior Christine Capetola leading the way, winning three gold medals in the 1,600 and 3,200-meter runs and the javelin. As expected, teammate Daria Zivanovic won the shot put and discus and junior Jill Lissenden won the 800-meter run after taking second in the 400.
St. Dominic Academy’s athletes will be a force to be reckoned with at the upcoming NJSIAA Parochial A state championships…
How about this for firsts?
For the first time in 19 years, the New Jersey City University men’s baseball team is headed to the post-season.
The Gothic Knights, who enjoyed their best season in a decade with 19 wins, was set to travel to Pomona to take on Richard Stockton in the ECAC Division III Metro tournament this weekend.
“Making the ECAC Tournament is the icing on the cake,” said head coach Ken Heaton, who last week was voted the CUNYAC Coach of the Year. “The players are anxiously awaiting the game. With a core of freshmen, this ECAC invitation will give the young players tournament experience, and help us prepare for the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference battles next season.”
If the Gothic Knights win one more game, they will set a new school record for wins in a season…
Speaking of coach of the year honors, New Jersey Institute of Technology head baseball coach Brian Callahan of Bayonne was named Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference Coach of the Year for the second consecutive season.
Callahan guided the Highlanders to their first Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference regular-season championship. NJIT (20-16, 18-6) enjoyed its first winning season in more than a decade.
“To be named Coach of the Year for a second straight year is a great honor and a surprise,” said Callahan, the former St. Peter’s College player and assistant coach. “I thought there were others who more deserving than me. It means a lot to be recognized by your peers.”…
Legendary St. Anthony High School basketball coach Bob Hurley will be conducting two clinics at Stevens Tech in Hoboken on Sunday, June 12. The first session (from 9 a.m. to noon) will be for boys and girls ages 5-11 years old and the second session (from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.) will be for boys and girls ages 12-17 years old. Contact the Stevens basketball office at (201) 216-5690 for more details… Jim Hague