Health & Wellness Directory

from e-Newspaper for Dec. 15, 2021

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freshman team that went undefeated last year. They’re long and wide.”

Sophomore Kelvin Vasquez is a 5-foot-10 guard who has made a comeback this season. Vasquez missed all of last season due to COVID-19 symptoms, but he’s back and making his presence felt.

“He’s a slasher,” D’Andrea said of Vasquez. “He’s really quick. He’s strong to the basket and gets to the basket a lot. He’s like our engine who gets us going. He’s a scrappy player who goes and goes.”

Junior Bernie Pimentel is a 6-foot-1 forward who makes plays, especially on the defensive side.

“He’s very good defensively,” D’Andrea said. “He’s probably our best rebounder. He’s developed into a decent basketball player. He should help us on the glass.”

Junior Ken Jaramillo is a 5-foot-8 point guard who will get minutes in place of McGeehan and Crudele.

“He’s developed a good midrange game,” D’Andrea said of Jaramillo. “He can play.”

Senior Shane Gilchrist is a 5-foot-9 guard.

“He can put it in the basket,” D’Andrea said. “He’s a smart kid. He knows the offense and knows what to do. I think we have seven or eight guys who will see vital minutes this season.”

The Vikings begin their season Friday night at home against Paterson Charter. They then tussle with league rival Hasbrouck Heights on Monday. The Vikings will welcome Bergen Tech, University Charter of Jersey City and local rival Belleville to the Bill Ferguson Memorial Christmas Tournament, the first tourney since the passing of the legendary coach and administrator earlier this year.

D’Andrea knows that better days are ahead.

“We’ve already seen some peaks and valleys,” D’Andrea said. “But I really think we’re on an upswing. I love the youth we have. I really think we have a chance to be pretty decent.”

That’s “coach speak” for “watch out!” The Vikings will be much improved this season.

Photo by Jim Hague The North Arlington High School boys’ basketball team looks to be vasty improved this season. Front row, from left, are Shane Gilchrist, David Martinez and Matt O’Mara. Back row, from left, are head coach Marcello D’ Andrea, Israel Alcantara, Will Hannon, Kelvin Vasquez and Oscar Torres.

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Kardinals try to rebound after roller coaster boys’ hoops season

By Jim Hague ogsmar@aol.com

KEARNY – The Kearny High School boys’ basketball team endured one of the wildest rides during the COVID-19 pandemic mania that took place a year ago. The Kardinals found themselves in a 1-7 hole during the shortened 15-game schedule, then found magic almost overnight, winning their last six games of the season to finish 7-8.

“It was definitely a crazy season,” said veteran Kearny head coach Bill Mullins. “It could have been worse, but we hung in there and didn’t quit.”

The Kardinals were decimated by graduation and returns only one starter from last year’s roller coaster ride of a season.

“We only have four guys who scored a single point on the varsity (squad) last year,” Mullins said. “We are very inexperienced. We had to get to work.”

Needless to say, it was an uphill climb for the Kardinals.

“It’s always a challenge,” Mullins said. “It’s certainly not easy. But the kids are working hard getting ready. They’ve put the time in.”

The Kardinals played together in the Bloomfield summer league and participated in a fall league together as well.

“We don’t have a lot of kids,” said Mullins, who is in his second stint as the head coach of the Kardinals. “But what we do have is camaraderie. The basic needs have to come from themselves. It can’t come from the coach. We try to get everyone to work together and bond together.”

The lone returning starter is a good one. Senior Ryan Gill is a 6-foot-6 forward who is extremely versatile.

“We want him both inside and outside,” Mullins said of Gill, who averaged close to 14 points per game last season. “We also need him helping on defense. This is his third season with me on the varsity. He’s a hard worker who gets up and down the floor well. He’s also a very smart kid, a very smart player. He’s a super kid. He’s a three-sport athlete, a good all-around athlete.”

Gill also played football in the fall and will be a mainstay on the baseball diamond, but a lot of people believe that Gill’s top sport is on the hardwood. A former Observer Athlete of the Week, Gill is a player to watch this season.

Another top player is 5-foot9 junior point guard Kasper Szymczak.

“We don’t have one point guard,” Mullins said. “We have about four. Kasper can bring the ball up the floor and run our offense. He does a pretty good job hitting the three (point shot). He’s worked really hard to turn himself into a solid player.”

Senior Juelz Hernandez is a 6-foot-2 swingman.

“He has a nice outside shot,” Mullins said. “I’m expecting him to step up this season and be more of a player. We need help under the boards and he’s stepping up and doing the job there. He has some ability and can get us about 12 points per game.”

William Medina is a 5-foot9 senior guard who can play either the point guard or shooting guard position.

“He’s a good outside shooter,” Mullins said. “He is also very strong. This is his first year at Kearny, so he’s getting used to things.”

Medina is a former student at Kearny Christian Academy, but is eligible to play right away for the Kardinals without having to sit out due to the transfer rules.

“He’s going to help us,” Mullins said of Medina.

James Rosario is a 5-foot-9 senior guard who will help with the team’s ball handling. Mardeo Lamas is a 5-foot-7 guard who will have a role in the backcourt.

“He’s fast and quick,” Mullins said of Lamas, who is a first-year varsity player like Rosario and Medina.

The Kardinals’ underclass

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Photo by Jim Hague The Kearny High School boys’ basketball team will look for its senior class to lead the way this season. Front row, from left, are William Medina, Kasper Szymczak, Mardeo Lamas and James Rosario. Back row, from left, are head coach Bill Mullins, Juelz Hernandez and Ryan Gill.

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