Sports

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

The Observer n www.theobserver.com

9 SPORTS & RECREATION

Town raises $3K for William Mullins, who has been diagnosed with Leukemia

William Mullins

Photo by Jason Bernstein

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

The Kearny community came together to support one of its own this past Tuesday as the Kearny High School boys and girls basketball teams hosted a double-header in honor and support of KHS senior William Mullins.

According to athletic director Vincent Almeida, the “Leukemia Awareness” event raised nearly $3,000 to support both the Mullins family and the John Theurer Cancer Center at Hackensack University Medical Center. The two games drew more than 500 fans total, which is nearly triple the typical attendance for a home basketball double-header.

“It’s wonderful what the people of Kearny and outside of Kearny are doing for my son and cancer research,” said William’s father and Kearny head boys basketball and volleyball coach BIll Mullins. “You don’t realize when you’re living your life how many people you’ve touched or how many friends you have. It’s really amazing. You see people that take an interest and it’s really, really nice.

“It was a very important night, a very touching night. William wasn’t there, but he appreciates it very much. What people are doing for him and also other cancer patients in helping to fight the disease.”

Mullins, an all-state volleyball player and basketball standout who is also among the top five in his graduating class academically, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in November.

“Kearny’s a special town and we showed it on Tuesday when everyone came out to support William Mullins,” Almeida said. “He’s a great kid who really exemplifies what we’re trying to instill in our student-athletes here. Someone who is dedicated, works hard, doesn’t allow outside factors to influence him negatively, someone who is willing to sacrifice for whatever program he’s in.

“It’s very powerful for everyone here in the school. William’s been running around this place since he could walk. He participated in all of the youth camps that we’ve had and then eventually became a high school athlete and thriving academically as well.”

Since William Mullins’ diagnosis, a couple of smaller activities within the school to raise funds had taken place, but last week’s basketball event was the biggest and most publicized to date.

According to Bill Mullins, the idea of a basketball double-header was first brought up by members of the girls basketball team. Soon thereafter as the season started in mid-December, the formal plans were put forth - an event

See MULLINS, Page 10

Belleville girls basketball enjoys bounce back season

By Jason Bernstein jason@theobserver.com

To fully grasp the meaning of the 7-2 start Belleville’s girls basketball team has gotten off to, all head coach Chris Cantarella and the upperclassmen need to do is think back to just two years prior when they went 0-13 in a Covid-shortened season and there were just nine players in the entire program.

“It’s a world different from what it was the last two years because of the record,” said Cantarella, now in his sixth season as head coach. “Most of the girls on the team have been through our Covid year, which was not good, as well as last year which was a struggle. The attitude is much different. They’re a lot more jovial, it’s a lot better to win than it is to lose. They come into practice a little bit more motivated and enthusiastic.”

Winning understandably does that to a team and the Bucs enter the second month of the season, tied for first in the Super Essex Conference - Freedom Division with Newark Lab at 7-1.

A big reason for the success has been a level of depth Belleville has not enjoyed in recent memory as Cantarella counts eight girls who are capable of starting. That depth has also allowed him to return to play a man-to-man defense that has allowed just 22.3 points per game.

“I have a little bit more depth this year so I can play a more physical type of man-to-man defense and doubling on ball screens,” Cantarella said. “When you have a little more depth you can do it. In our practice sessions, they’ve been working really hard at getting better at it.”

As part of that man-toman defense, point guard Ashley Cely is sure to be matched up with the opposing team’s top scorer. The return of the 5-foot-5 senior, who missed all of last season due to injury, has proven invaluable to the Bucs.

“She doesn’t do a lot of scoring, but she does a lot of everything else,” said Cantarella. “She rebounds, she distributes the basketball, she plays great man-to-man defense, she plays awesome helpside defense.”

The other point guard is sophomore Camila Cortes-Alonso (5-foot-5), who has been able to show more of her all-around game, since she is no longer counted upon to do everything on the offensive end.

“She’s a great basketball player who handles the ball very well and has a good mid-range jumpshot,” Cantarella said. “She was probably our best basketball player last year and has improved again this year.”

Another strong defender in the starting backcourt is 5-foot-6 senior Amelia Fabara, who is also the Bucs’ best player in transition.

At one forward spot for Belleville is Gianna DaSilva, a 5-foot-7 senior, who is strong in the post defensively and as a rebounder. Ath the other spot is junior Sheyla Amparo, who is