There was much hype going into the rivalry game between West Morris Mendham and West Morris Central, and Ryan McElwaine’s warm up tape only increased the intensity. Both teams were getting pumped and warming up with severe effort while the cheering sections were going crazy, but the West Morris Wolfpack fans kept on cheering their team to a 68-47 upset victory over the 18-2 Minutemen.

The Wolfpack came out of the gates with everything they had trying to avenge their last blowout loss to Mendham during a winter tournament, and proved to be successful. West Morris Central got off to a 7-0 run to start the game by converting on Mendham misses and turnovers.

After a loose ball Tim Drezwinski dove to the ground, and after obtaining the ball called a time out with 1:08 left in the first and a 9-4 lead. Not only were the Wolfpack playing tough, but also smart. Scoring for the Minutemen was almost non-existent in the first quarter due to a hounding 2-3 zone by the Wolfpack.

As time was expiring to end the first quarter Tom Cabarle drove to the lane, and put up an acrobatic lay-up as the buzzer went off to take a 13-5 lead.

As the second quarter began Mendham’s stars Caleb DeMoss and Tore Vicarisi began to heat up. DeMoss hit a three pointer and Vicarisi had seven points. The two players combined for thirteen of the Minutemen’s twenty two points in the first half. Mendham also received great contribution from and Collin O’Donnel who came off the bench hitting two threes, and making a foul shot. The Wolfpack received quality minutes from Zach Nolan who produced five points and many turnovers. West Morris’ physical defender Ed McCracken continued to play strong defense while getting in the head of Vicarisi.

The two athletes battled for a jump ball while exchanging some words, but one can expect nothing else from a Mendham vs. West Morris Central rivalry. As time was winding down DeMoss took a three pointer and connected to bring the Minutemen within five going in to the second half.

As the second half began West Morris’ guard James D’Angelo began to heat up. He started off the third quarter with a three pointer, and the Wolfpack fed off of their pack leader. After the Wolfpack’s back court began their scoring streak the Minutemen were forced to take a time out with 2:54 left in the third trailing 40-27. The

Minutemen began to make a small run before the fourth quarter, and brought the game within ten with a score of 44-34.

The Minutemen tried everything they had to claw their way back into the game by switching defenses, and trying a full court press. Nothing could stop the Wolfpack back court from scoring. Timmy Drezwinski constantly drove to hoop scoring six of his twelve points in the second half while his counterpart, D’Angelo, had twenty of his twenty three in the second half. Cabarle produced many turnovers by showing his knack to find the ball looking like second team all group cornerback he was in the fall. He manufactured seven of his sixteen in the second half while Derek Kambour had three of his five.

Mendham’s Dennis twins contributed six points for the Minutemen while Vicarisi ended up with twenty three. Jake Mazzullo’s three pointer to end the game was the cherry on top to a quality 68-47 Wolfpack win.

Players of the Game:
West Morris: Team Win
Mendham: Tore Vicarisi