Submitted by By Matt Kipp
When the weather turned cold, sports heated up at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School.
Collectively, it was one of the best winter sports seasons the school has ever had. Some programs enjoyed their most successful season ever, while others experienced resurgence, and some continued standards of excellence.
No matter the circumstances for how each team arrived at winning levels, it was an ongoing display of success. Every winter sports team finished with a winning record, with some squads — or individuals — going on to compete deep in state tournament competition.
Ice Hockey
Entering the season, last year’s graduation of Jared Figueroa, the program’s most decorated player, loomed a large loss for the Raiders to endure. But that didn’t seem to affect the team much at all, and in turn, SPF put together the most successful season of its 13 year history.
Finishing with a program-best record of 15-4-6, the Raiders came in first place in their NJIIHL Kelly Division, won the Essex County Holiday Tournament, went to the Union County Cup semifinal, and even qualified for the State Tournament, among other accomplishments.
For nearly a month-long stretch ranging from December 19 until January 15, the Raiders rattled off a seven-game winning streak. During that span, the team swept a three-game set against Mountain Lakes, Parsippany Hills, and Pequannock to outright win the Essex County Holiday Tournament. In its final victory of the streak, SPF drilled Arthur L. Johnson (Clark), 11-2, in the Union County Cup quarterfinal. That win earned SPF the right to play archrival Westfield in the semifinal, and the Raiders did hang tough against the future champions in a 4-2 loss.
The Raiders also went unbeaten in their first seven games to open up the season.
Thriving on a balanced front line with excellent puck movement, the Raiders featured an arsenal of scoring threats. Senior captain Jonny Scheer led the team with a staggering 35 points (15 goals, 10 assists), and classmate Jack White put up 24 points (8 goals, 16 assists). Joining in double-digit points were Will White (18), Adam Glod (17), Tom Bruckman (16), and Kyle Remo (13).
Between the pipes, goalies Ryan Lamberta and Dalton Tango made it very hard for opponents to find the net. Lamberta saved 97 percent of the 364 shots he saw, while Tango, in his first year with the team, blocked 94 percent of his 129 shots against.
Though the Raiders’ season ended a bit earlier than hoped for in the state tournament, Scotch Plains-Fanwood hockey is now on the statewide map and has a bright future ahead.
Girls Basketball
After a mediocre start to the season the Lady Raiders found their stride towards the middle of the season. Seniors Nya Downing and Brianna O’brien seemed to finally figured out how to lead their team to wins.
Freshman Corinne Lyght played a crucial role for the Raiders all season starting some games and providing a spark off the bench whenever needed. Abbe-Gayle Burton also was a dark horse for the Lady Raiders leading the team in scoring and finishing second in rebounding. Both Lyght and Burton played in the most games for the Raiders
Earning a 10th seed and a first round bye game in the Union County tournament, the Lady Raiders were set to play crosstown rival and seven-seeded Union Catholic. The Raiders played tough and determined and left victorious with a final score of 38-34. A win lead by Senior forward Abbe-Gayle Burton and Junior guard Stefanie Devizio. In the next round the girls faced Roselle Catholic that had been dominant all year. The lady Raiders lost 28-61 against Roselle Catholic
The Lady Raiders had an impressive showing in the first round of the state tournament defeating Elizabeth 56-26. Then going on to face long time rival Westfield in a game regarded as one of the Lady Raiders more difficult matchups of the season.
Already suffering a defeat to the Blue Devils the Raiders entered their game with their backs on the wall. Considered to be a blowout the game was a polar opposite as the Raiders held their own for 3 ½ quarters of play against a talented Blue Devils squad. But a fourth quarter collapse lead to a 34-45 loss for the Raiders ending their season.
Boys Basketball
At the beginning of the season, the boys basketball team had its highest expectations since its 2008 state championship squad. SPF returned nine seniors: Brendan Beriont, Jack Brady, Lamont Cruise, Tommy Drubulis, Richard Jackson, Dwight Laylor, Ryan Muench, John Petris and Brogan Quigley.
Each of the Raiders top five scoring leaders were all seniors. Tommy Drubulis led in scoring with 318 points, Lamont Cruise in second with 279 points, Jack Brady in third with 240 points, Dwight Laylor with 201 points and Ryan Muench with 196 points on season. The Raiders were a senior lead team and it was apparent on the stat sheets.
Senior big man Dwight Laylor controlled the glass all year for the Raiders and lead them in rebounding with 122 rebounds for the season. Senior guard Lamont Cruise also chipped in with 36 rebounds on the year. Rebounding was crucial for much of the Raiders success on the year.
The Raiders got off to an assertive start of 9-0 with commanding wins over Woodbridge, Summit, Cranford, South Plainfield and Colonia. Tommy Drubulis lead the Raiders in three pointers made with 56 and Ryan Muench in second with 43 made attempts.
The Raiders finished the year at 20-7 accomplishing their second consecutive 20 win season. The Raiders entered the Union County tournament as the 9th seed and defeated the 16th seeded Roselle Rams 56-59 and then defeated the New Providence Pioneers 56-41. Advancing to the quarter finals and losing to the Roselle Catholic Lions 77-36.
Entering the state tournament the Raiders were confident and humbled after suffering a loss on their home court on senior night against the Roselle Rams. The Raiders looked to translate their frustration from the loss into a first round victory against Perth Amboy. The team did just that defeating Perth Amboy in the first round of the state tournament, then going on to face Phillipsburg.
Going in the game was widely anticipated around the state as a marquee matchup.
Wrestling
With individual wrestlers, Scotch Plains-Fanwood has always been a major player on the statewide scene. Those individuals all came together this year and not only made deep runs for themselves, but turned the Raiders into a force on the local level as well.
The Raiders surged to a 22-10 record against some of the areas top talent and sent a pair of wrestlers to the state finals in Atlantic City during a very successful season on the mats.
As far as team matches go, the Raiders enjoyed one of their best seasons of the decade. Highlights included a championship in the Holmdel Holiday Tournament, and North 2, Group 4 sectional tournament first round win over Sayreville. The Raiders also placed fifth in the Union County Tournament.
Before a loss to Middletown North in the sectional semifinal, the Raiders rattled off 10 consecutive match victories in January into February. That stretch began with a 33-30 triumph over Kearny on Jan. 26, and included massive blowouts over Union (62-6) on Jan. 31 and Glen Ridge (72-5) on Feb. 3.
Both Sam Wustefeld, who finished 37-2, and Jack Cannon, ending at 23-5, continued their seasons deep in the state individual tournament. The two both advanced past the district and regional tournaments to secure a spot in the finals at Atlantic City’s famed Boardwalk Hall. Wustefeld went all the way to the 195-pound final for the second consecutive year, but was ultimately downed by Jacob Cardenas of Bergen Catholic.
Girls Swimming
An expectation of excellence has been set forth by Scotch Plains-Fanwood’s lady swimmers over the past decade, and the Raiders exceeded those conjectures this winter.
Bringing home some hardware and ascending to the state’s top ranks, the Lady Raiders churned out another stellar season. Finishing with 12-3 record, the team won championships in the Union County and Section 2, Public B tournaments, appeared in the state finals, and had numerous swimmers set personal bests throughout the winter.
Photos courtesy of Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School.
(above) Wrestling went 22-10, and sent a pair of wrestlers to the state finals in Atlantic City.
(above) Sam Wustefeld (top) made it all the way to the state final in Atlantic City.
(above) Girls’ basketball finished with a winning record and won its first state tournament game in seven years this season.
(above) Ice hockey enjoyed its most successful season in program history, winning 15 games, its holiday tournament, and making County Cup and state tournament runs.
(above, l-r) Seniors Lamont Cruse, Jack Brady, Dwight Laylor, and Tommy Drubulis helped lead the boys’ basketball team to a 20-win season.
