Transitioning into a new year means reflecting on the prior year and striving to do better as every day passes. The Scotch-Plains Fanwood winter sports teams have been off to a great start as the halfway mark of the season is around the corner. Here is a recap of the season so far as the teams entered the new year.
Boys Basketball (6-4)
Even without former seniors Khadar Jackson and Matt Nervi, the team has maintained a winning record and took down Westfield both times the two teams have met.
Sam and Jack Sponheimer along with Anderson Pollack and Jaden Carpien have seen increased roles in the season so far. Pollack is leading the team in points, averaging 7.9 points per game. He also leads the team with 16 three-pointers made on the year so far.
Wins against:
(12/16) Hillside: 36-34
(12/21) Roselle: 67-39
(12/29) Westfield: 49-45
(12/30) Union City: 49-44
(1/4) Westfield: 44-33
(1/6) Oratory: 48-38
Losses against:
(12/14) Cranford: 44-60
(12/19) Rahway: 44-45
(12/23) Union: 46-51
(12/27) Colonia: 32-39
Bowling (8-0)
After coming off of an impressive 2022-2023 campaign, finishing first in the Watchung Division, the Raiders have continued finding success through the first month of the season. Senior Louis Messano has led the way with a 207 average, while senior Mauro Derosa has the highest score of the season with a 289.
Juniors Jason Sidito and Nate Leversee came into the season taking the spots of top bowlers Matt Reynolds and Sean Ferrone. Sidito and Leversee have fit nicely into the lineup, keeping the team red hot.
Wins against:
(11/30) Roselle Park: 7-0
(12/5) Westfield: 7-0
(12/7) Union: 7-0
(12/12) Elizabeth: 7-0
(12/14) Cranford: 7-0
(12/20) Linden: 7-0
(12/21) Rahway: 7-0
(1/4) Cranford: 7-0
Boys Swimming (3-3)
With three consecutive wins against Union, Plainfield, and New Providence the team was sitting undefeated. The road got harder down the way for the Raiders, having to face Westfield and then back-to-back days against Summit and Chatham.
The loss of Owen Higginbotham hurt the team, but new talent was added with freshmen Matt Iannotta and Harrison McClure. Senior Kyle Karyczak and junior Dylan Cordell have both been performing well this season, keeping the team looking like a strong contender in the Union County and State tournament.
Wins against:
(12/7) Union: 96-53
(12/12) Plainfield: 90-39
(12/13) New Providence: 93-77
Losses against:
(12/20) Westfield: 41.5-128.5
(1/3) Summit: 80-90
(1/4) Chatham: 42-128
Girls Basketball (7-1)
Head Coach Ryan McKenna was named coach of the year for managing a 19-10 team that went to the finals of the state tournament last season. Former senior Alicia Murphy was a big part of the success last year, being second in scoring for the Raiders. Amanda Baylock had a historic season, recording her 1,000th point as a Raider.
As far as this season, the Raiders started off undefeated with six straight wins and McKenna recently notched his 100th win as the coach. Baylock is averaging 17.5 points and three steals per game. Junior Marin Pecarsky has been a key player this season as well, averaging 9.1 points per game and leading the team with 33 rebounds.
Wins against:
(12/14) Elizabeth: 54-39
(12/19) Westfield: 50-35
(12/21) Cranford: 43-39
(12/23) Mendham: 50-43
(12/27) Millburn: 50-29
(12/29) Union: 53-21
(1/6) Montville: 55-37
Losses against:
(1/4) Roselle Catholic: 27-55
Girls Swimming (3-3)
Along with the boys team, the girl’s swimming season started off well with three straight wins against Union, Plainfield, and New Providence. The competition got tougher down the stretch, and now both swimming teams’ records sit at 3-3.
The Raiders lost four top swimmers last season, but are now seeing strong performances from Kentucky commit Billie Sherratt, sophomore Shae Trenery, and freshman Tessa DeGennaro.
Wins against:
(12/7) Union: 95-44
(12/12) Plainfield: 87-16
(12/13) New Providence: 101-69
Losses against:
(12/20) Westfield: 56-114
(1/3) Summit: 66-104
(1/4) Chatham: 56.5-112.5
Ice Hockey (2-7)
The loss of senior stars Austin Lorenzetti and Anthony Tittanegro opened the door for underclassmen to take the spotlight. Saint Joes sophomore transfer Nicholas Movsesian had a hot start to the season with four goals in five games. Movsesian, along with juniors Anthony Lorenzetti and Ryan Mauer have led the team with a combined 20 points despite the record.
Wins against:
(12/18) West Orange: 3-2
(12/21) Mendham: 1-0
Losses against:
(12/9) The Frish: 3-11
(12/12) Oratory Prep: 2-5
(12/15) Nutley: 3-7
(12/16) Glen Rock: 1-9
(12/23) Bridgewater-Raritan: 2-4
(1/2) Montclair: 1-4
Track
Top performers: Nate Rayan, Cameron Hoover, Nate Perrelli, Jenai Berry graduated last spring. Rayan was the number one high school hurdler in the U.S., and Berry was a three time state sectional champion during her high school tenure.
Losing those graduates hurt, but the sky’s the limit for the future of the team through the winter and spring seasons. Zoe Hopkins has two first place finishes in three meets and Ameen Zubair placed in the top four for the 55 Meter Dash in two meets.
Senior Keira Kelly and sophomore Delaney Farley were both top individual finishers in the 55 Meter Dash last season and are continuing to be top performers this year.
Wrestling (6-1)
Head Coach Marc Fabiano has done an excellent job through his nine years as head coach of the program, coming into his 10th season with a record of 124-67. There are many star talents on the team and it shows through the winning record.
Heavyweight Paul Boyle is coming off an impressive season with 10 wins in 20 matchups and individually finishing third in the Union County Tournament.
Junior Michael Cantwell has been a key contributor to the success of the team. He started the season winning the 157 lb. weight class at the Mike Dessino Invitational Tournament.
Ryan Ricci, Michael Estevez, Tristan Sirmans, and Daniel McArdle are other top performers for the team.
Returning wrestlers Carys Browne, Simya Steele, Carlie Gleason, and Hana Zamor lead the girls team.
Freshmen Jaliyah Richards and Harper Shimko are quickly emerging as top talents for the future of the program.
Wins against:
(12/15) Plainfield: 21-4
(1/3) Union: 39-38
(1/5) Garfield: 52-20
(1/6) Orange: 64-6
(1/6) J.P. Stevens: 66-10
(1/6) Newark East Side: 45-30
Losses against:
(12/22) Cranford: 6-77
The winter season is halfway through as the second week of the new year is already here. Every team is looking to rack up more wins and prepare for the Union County and State tournaments which are near.
