Lenape Valley basketball teams lose in state sectional tournaments

Though they made unique journeys during the recently ended season, the Lenape Valley Regional High School boys and girls basketball teams shared a work ethic that resulted in several well-earned wins on the court.

The girls team compiled 10 victories and 15 losses, with a 5-5 record in the Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Colonial Division.

“The most impressive game of the year was in the Hackettstown Holiday Tournament championship game,’’ head coach Nick Rafferty said. “We lost three straight games to start the season but were able to rally to beat Roxbury in the first round of the tournament.

“Hackettstown was a tough match-up for all of their opponents this year, especially at home. Seeing the Lady Patriots play tough defense all game, make a comeback in the second half and winning the game in overtime was very special to me as a first-year head coach. Seeing the girls compete for all four quarters and overtime was the most proud moment I’ve had coaching three high school sports at Lenape Valley for the past five years.’’

Leadership was a key for the team this year.

“Sophomore Regina Williams has emerged as a team leader throughout the season,’’ Rafferty said. “As a sophomore, it took Regina a few games to settle in as a first-year varsity starter. As the year went on, she finished first in points scored, first in assists, tied for first in steals, first in FTM and second in three-point field goals made. She also posted the highest point total in a game for our team with 24 against St. Elizabeth.’’

Improvements on the court were seen across the roster this winter.

“The athlete that surprised me the most was another sophomore, Addison Coles,’’ Rafferty said. “She has progressed more than any player on the team from her freshman year to the end of her sophomore year. Addie has the potential to be a starter and one of the main contributors for the next two years.

“Another player that stepped up in a huge way this year was junior Colleen Yanavok. When four-year varsity point guard Laney Kenny went down with a season-altering injury a few weeks before the season started, Colleen was more than ready to take over. Colleen handled the ball as the point guard all year. Without her running the offense, we would not have had a season in which we posted 10 wins this year.’’

The Patriots advanced to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North 1 Group 2 sectional tournament where they were defeated by Morris Tech.

“Some things that give me a reason for optimism next year are that we have two returning sophomore starters in Regina Williams and two-year varsity starter Juliane Cerulo,’’ the coach said. “Another huge reason I am optimistic is we still have one of our main ball handlers returning in Colleen Yanavok and another key sophomore contributor, Addison Coles.

“I am also very confident in all of our rising juniors, sophomores and freshman varsity players to fill in for the loss of the three fantastic graduating seniors (Alyssa Canfield, Victoria Erlemann and Laney Kenny).’’

Boys team

The Patriots tallied 12 victories and 11 loses during the season, with a 6-4 mark in the NJAC Freedom Division.

“The team placed second in the Dover Holiday Tournament,’’ head coach Dan Moylan said. “Senior Troy Brennan became the third player in school history to score 1,000 points, finishing with 1,098 points. Brennan was First Team All Freedom Division. Juniors Anthony Kali and Gabriel Quarranttey were Second Team All Freedom Division.’’

The Patriots advanced to the NJSIAA North 1 Group 2 sectional tournament where they lost, 45-39, to second-seeded Elmwood Park.