The winter sports season is here and the Raiders are ready to make it another great year. Let’s take a look back at the successes and challenges from the 2024-2025 season to see how SPF teams should fare during this upcoming campaign.
Boys Basketball (19-7)
Driven by the sideline leadership of 2021-22 coach-of-the-year Steve Siracusa, the Raiders are looking to make it six consecutive seasons with a winning record.
Senior Seth Hunter will be the focal point of the newly constructed offense. He averaged 7.3 points per game last winter. The shifty guard is accompanied by junior Andrew Balagot who will see an increased workload, filling in for the loss of Jacob Handy and Jack Sponheimer.
Senior big men Caleb McDowell and Max Nicholson add experienced depth to the offensive and defensive ends of the game. Using their strength and size, they will be a menacing duo in the paint.
Every year, the program develops sparkplugs that can make a difference on the court whenever called upon. It will be exciting to see how this well-rounded roster competes this season.
Home against:
(12/18) Westfield
(12/20) Linden
(1/8) Roselle Catholic
(1/10) Rahway
(1/11) Trenton
(1/17) New Providence
(1/27) Whippany Park
(1/29) Plainfield
(2/5) Elizabeth
(2/7) Union Catholic
Away against:
(12/21) Morris Knolls
(12/28) Roselle
(1/3) Summit
(1/6) Plainfield
(1/13) Elizabeth
(1/15) Union Catholic
(1/20) Westfield
(1/22) Linden
(1/24) Oratory
(1/31) Union
(2/3) Roselle Catholic
Bowling (14-4)
The reigning Union County champions and state semifinalists are set for another strong season with the bulk of the roster returning from last year. Junior Braden Steer led the bunch of veteran members with a high game of 256 and an average of 181.56 in 45 games last winter. Steer finished as the fifth best bowler in the Union County individual tournament on Jan. 25.
Four-year varsity bowler Nate Leversee left a lasting mark on the program, averaging 194.67 across 51 games and bowling a perfect game on Dec. 17, 2024 against Elizabeth. His brother, Caleb, stepped up during his freshman campaign, cushioning the success towards the end of last season and making him someone to look forward to this winter.
Matches against:
(12/3) Roselle Park
(12/9) Westfield
(12/11) Union Catholic
(12/16) Elizabeth
(12/18) ALJ
(12/23) Linden
(1/6) Rahway
(1/9) Westfield
(1/13) Roselle Park
(1/15) Union Catholic
(1/27) Elizabeth
(1/29) ALJ
(2/3) Linden
(2/5) Rahway
Boys Swimming (7-5)
The boys swim team has been very consistent the previous few seasons and are hopeful for a breakthrough in a deep run in the sectional tournament this year. Junior Harrison McClure is looking to build off of an outstanding season where he placed seventh in the 200 freestyle and eighth in the 100 back at the NJSIAA Meet of Champions and won the 200 freestyle and the 500 freestyle in the county tournament. McClure placed third in the county for season-best times in the 200 freestyle and 500 freestyle with 01:41:46 and 04:44:63.
Junior Matthew Iannotta was a staple in the 200 individual medley and the 100 breaststroke for the Raiders. Iannotta placed fifth at the county championship in the 100 breast and tenth in the 100 butterfly. Fellow 100 breast and 200 IM swimmer Benjamin Sohmer was heavily relied on in relay races and is poised for improved times this season.
Jase Villaverde was moved around to different events last winter, adding a versatile element to the Raiders roster. There will be familiar and new faces, giving a promising outlook this winter. Aaron Frank is returning for his senior season and Jayden Le looks to start his high school career off strong.
Home against:
(12/3) Summit
(12/17) Cranford
(1/7) Governor Livingston
(1/8) St. Joseph Metuchen
(1/14) Oratory
(1/21) Union
Away against:
(12/23) Westfield
(1/13) New Providence
(1/20) Elizabeth
Girls Basketball (11-17)
Under new head coach Susan Murray, the girls basketball team was off to a slow start last season—reasonably so with the leadership change. At one point, the team was sitting at a record of 2-12. Rather than let the losses get to them, the Raiders held their heads high and began to string together win after win.
The Lady Raiders caught fire before the sectional tournament and carried that momentum into the first round and beyond. SPF upset No. 4 Columbia and No. 12 J.P. Stevens to reach the semifinal round. The incredible feat intrigues fans to see what the team can accomplish this winter.
Sophomores Abigail Dursee and Gianna Lukko had impressive freshmen seasons and will ascend to the pivotal offensive contributors this year. Forwards Mara Haight and Kendall Kelly are also expected to be called upon a lot throughout the winter on both sides of the ball.
Home against:
(12/20) Union Catholic
(1/10) Union City
(1/13) Roselle Catholic
(1/17) Hillsborough
(1/23) ALJ
(1/27) New Providence
(1/29) Westfield
(1/31) Oak Knoll
(2/3) Plainfield
(2/7) Cranford
Away against:
(12/8) Old Bridge
(12/23) New Providence
(1/3) Bound Brook
(1/6) Westfield
(1/8) Plainfield
(1/15) Cranford
(1/20) Columbia
(1/22) Union Catholic
(1/24) Watchung Hills
(2/5) Roselle Catholic
(2/14) Mendham
Girls Swimming (6-6)
Similar to the boys team, the girls swim team has also been steady in the highly competitive county in recent years. The Raiders had close results that they hope to come through on the victorious end this winter.
Senior Shae Trenery along with juniors Madelyn Valera and Tessa DeGennaro will lead the pack, following notable performances last season. At the county championship meet, Trenery placed fourth in the 200 freestyle, Valera clinched seventh in the 100 breaststroke and DeGennaro took fourth in both the 100 freestyle and breaststroke.
The Lady Raiders have an experienced core of senior swimmers in Amelia Condell, Colleen Gillen, Jamie Trela and Gabby Suriani. They are anticipating to carry key roles of leading the team back into the success they found several seasons ago.
Home against:
(12/3) Summit
(12/17) Cranford
(1/7) Governor Livingston
(1/21) Union
Away against:
(12/9) Plainfield
(12/23) Westfield
(1/9) Kent Place
(1/13) New Providence
(1/14) Oak Knoll
(1/20) Elizabeth
Ice Hockey (17-6-3)
The ice hockey team concluded the 2023-24 season as one to forget. Completely flipping the narrative, the Raiders wrote the 2024-25 season in the history books, winning their first ever Kelly Cup, finishing first in the division and reaching the county semifinals.
There were goals galore all season. SPF scored 117 goals, averaging 4.5 goals per game with 13 different goal scorers written on their score sheet. The defense and goaltending was also noticeable, only letting up two goals per game with seven shutouts.
Seniors Nick Movesesian and Liam Bonifas are two names to keep an eye on throughout the season. Movesesian was the second leading goal scorer with 25 and he contributed 15 assists as well. Bonifas has been with the varsity team his first three years, tallying 41 career points coming into this winter and stepping up in crucial moments.
Juniors Jackson Murphy and Charlie Berry will see additional time, giving them opportunities to make more impact plays. The two combined for 27 points last season. Sophomore Charles Sacchetti had a debut season to remember, scoring 15 goals and dishing out eight assists. He is a threat for SPF whenever he steps on the ice.
Home against:
(12/9) Verona
(12/16) Nutley
(12/17) Oratory
(12/19) Mendham
(12/21) Mount Olive
(12/23) Glen Rock
(1/27) Montclair
(2/3) Montclair Kimberely
Away against:
(1/3) Glen Rock
(1/9) North Hunterdon
(1/16) Verona
(1/29) Montclair Kimberley
(2/5) Montclair
(2/20) Clifton
Track
Coaches Jeffrey Koegel and Richard McGriff continue to develop talented athletes into top performers in the state. The track team as a whole earned nine first place finishes last year. Sixth of them were attributed to West Chester University commit Delaney Farley. Most notably, the senior was the county and sectional champion in the 55 meter dash with times of 7.27 and 7.26 seconds.
Juniors Max Handler, Michael Sylvester and Justin Timchak will be called upon in relay events, competing as top contenders throughout the winter.
Seniors Jonah Tamayo and Mia Savare are the leading runners in the mid-distance events. Tamayo was the Union County Conference Mountain Division champion out of 116 competitors while Savare placed fifth out of 44 runners at this meet during the cross country season. Being in excellent shape entering the winter sets them up for personal records and many medals.
Boys Wrestling (18-8)
The LaFamiglia mentality, initiated and promoted by head coach Marc Fabiano, has inspired a culture that radiates in the gyms on the wrestling mats and across the entire school community.
The team posted their best record since 2022 at 18-8, placed eighth in both the Mike Dessino Invitational and Holmdel tournament and sixth at the county championship.
Senior Paul Boyle won 22 out 27 bouts with 14 of them being by pin. The talented varsity wrestler competed at 190 and 215 pounds, finding more success at the lighter weight. He brought home a silver medal at the Mike Dessino Invitational and was a state semifinalist. Seniors Thomas Dowling and Daniel McArdle are also essential elements to the success up and down the Raiders roster.
Home against:
(12/17) Roselle Park
(1/3) Newark East Side
(1/7) Cranford
(1/12) Parsippany
(1/21) Summit
(1/23) Westfield
(1/31) Orange
(1/31) Glen Ridge
(2/7) Rutgers Prep
(2/11) North Plainfield
Away against:
(12/13) Irvington
(12/19) Union
(12/27) Holmdel
(1/9) Rahway
(1/14) Roselle
(1/28) Governor Livingston
(2/4) Brearley
(2/6) New Providence
Girls Wrestling (7-2)
Under 2025 coach-of-the-year Elizabeth Sandford, the Raiders repeated as Union county state champions and continued to make a mark as the fastest growing program. Junior Jaliyah Richards won her second consecutive individual county championship.
Richards is also the only female wrestler in school history to win a wrestling regional championship. At the same tournament, Ithaca College commit Hana Zamor and junior Harper Shimko placed fourth, respectively. These two also finished highly in the Freehold Tournament—Zamor in second and Shimko in third. This trio will be dangerous again this winter.
The Lady Raiders are setting the foundation for years to come of what this program will look like. So far, the team has performed outstandingly, encouraging other towns to start a girls program and then establishing who’s boss.
Home against:
(1/7) Cranford
(1/21) Summit
(1/23) Westfield
Away against:
(12/22) Garfield
(12/16) North Hunterdon
(12/20) Jackson Township
(1/4) Elizabeth
(1/28) Governor Livingston
(2/4) Brearley
(2/11) North Plainfield
The SPF teams are thrilled to commence the 2025-26 season today, chasing hardware and making lasting memories. Be sure to support the Raiders throughout this winter.
