Wrestling: Local greats on hand at Newton camp

I've never been a big fan of summer wrestling camps, most aren't nearly worth the money spent, but there's a good one coming to Newton High School in a few weeks.

Former New Jersey state champions Roman Fleszar and Dan Vallimont will be instructors on two of the five-day long camp that runs July 15-19. College of New Jersey coach Joe Galante and SIR Wrestling Club founder Shawn Hall are also scheduled to appear.

Fleszar, a recent inductee to the Region 1 Hall of Fame, was a two-time state champion at Kittatinny Regional High School and a two-time NCAA Division I All-American at Hofstra University. He currently serves as an assistant coach at Columbia University.

Vallimont also was a two-time state champion at Jefferson Township High School and a two-time All-American at Penn State. He's now an assistant coach at Hofstra.

The camp is open to grades 4-12 and registration fee is $200 per family. For information, or to register, contact Newton coach Eric Bollette via e-mail at ebollette@newtonnj.org.

Quad openings

High Point is looking for teams to fill two of its quadrangular meets for the 2013-14 season.

The Wildcats will host Bergen Catholic and Bound Brook on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2014 and Warren Hills and St. Joseph-Montvale on Saturday. Feb. 1, 2014. One team is needed to fill each event.

If interested, contact High Point athletic director Todd Van Orden at 973-271-7835 or by e-mail at TVanorden@hpregional.org.

Tournament time

There are several summer tournaments to be held in our area with the 22nd annual Kittatinny Tournament on tap for Saturday, July 20. It's a round-robin format and the pre-registration entry fee is $20 (postmarked by July 17). There is a $25 walk-in fee. For information, contact Michele Molfetto at 973-579-7525 or e-mail at tdc3@ptd.net.

The 27th annual Warren County Farmers' Fair Tournament is slated for Saturday, Aug. 3 at the Fair Grounds in Harmony Township. There are youth and high school divisions. High school weights are 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 171, 182, 195, 220 and HWT. Weigh-ins will be conducted using the Madison system. Fee is $25 (pre-registered by July 30) or $30 at the door.

First session (8-under, 10-under, 12-under) begins at 9 a.m., followed by the 14-and-under and high school divisions at 2 p.m. Satellite weigh-ins will be announced one week prior to the tournament. A $500 college scholarship will be awarded to the outstanding senior wrestler. For information, contact Ron Nauta at 908-684-8853 or by e-mail at ronnauta@verizon.net.

Golf and stuff

Two annual charity golf events are on the upcoming summer calendar.

The fifth annual Josh Tresslar Memorial Golf Outing will be held Monday, Aug. 5 at Minebrook Golf Club in Hackettstown. Registration is from 10 to 11:30 a.m., with tee time set for noon. A dinner will follow golf at 5 p.m.

There is a maximum of 144 golfers and last year's event drew nearly that total at 128. Entry fee is $125 per person due by Monday, July 1 and includes greens fees, cart, lunch, unlimited draft beer, prizes and dinner (5-9 p.m.). For information or to be a sponsor, contact Matt Tresslar at 908-797-3957 or by e-mail at tresslar@optonline.net.

The eighth annual Phillipsburg Wrestling Golf Tournament is set to be held on Friday, Aug. 23 at Southmoore Golf Course in Bath, Pa. It's a four-man scramble format with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. All proceeds will benefit the wrestling program.

Fee is $100 and includes greens fees, cart, prizes, hot dog and beer, hot buffet lunch and awards. For information, contact Cindy Silva at 908-454-5621. Deadline to enter is Tuesday, Aug. 6 or the first 144 golfers.

Baseball: Final Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

Skyland Conference
Delaware Division
		Overall	Division
x-Montgomery		(20-5)	(11-3)
Watchung Hills		(22-6)	(9-4)
North Hunterdon		(17-12)	(8-5)
wz-Hunterdon Central		(21-9)	(8-6)
Bridgewater-Raritan		(18-10)	(8-6)
Immaculata		(14-12)	(6-8)
Hillsborough		(9-13)	(4-10)
Phillipsburg		(7-18)	(1-13)
Raritan Division
		Overall	Division
y-Ridge		(16-8)	(9-1)
y-Somerville		(15-12)	(9-1)
Warren Hills		(11-14)	(4-6)
Delaware Valley		(9-13)	(4-6)
Voorhees		(6-16)	(3-7)
Franklin		(3-14)	(1-9)
Valley Division
		Overall	Division
xz-Bernards		(22-7)	(13-1)
Pingry		(17-8)	(11-3)
Gill St. Bernard's		(14-13)	(10-4)
Belvidere		(10-14)	(6-8)
North Plainfield		(8-14)	(6-8)
South Hunterdon		(6-13)	(5-9)
Bound Brook		(6-15)	(4-10)
Manville		(3-15)	(1-13)
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Freedom Division
		Overall	Division
x-Newton		(18-7)	(13-1)
Jefferson		(18-11)	(10-4)
North Warren		(14-10)	(9-5)
Lenape Valley		(13-11)	(7-7)
Wallkill Valley		(8-13)	(7-7)
Hackettstown		(10-14)	(5-9)
Kittatinny		(7-15)	(4-10)
Hopatcong		(2-23)	(1-13)
American Division
		Overall	Division
x-Montville		(17-8)	(11-3)
Sparta		(17-9-1)	(10-3-1)
Pope John		(15-14)	(8-6)
Morris Hills		(14-12-2)	(6-6-2)
Mount Olive		(17-12-1)	(6-7-1)
Morris Knolls		(7-17-2)	(5-7-2)
Vernon		(11-13)	(5-9)
High Point		(5-14)	(2-12)
w-sectional champion
x-division champion
y-shared division title
z-county champion

Baseball: Newton's turnaround season ends in semis

Newton's baseball team has plenty to be proud of in what was a tremendous season -- including its first conference title and winning season since 2001.

Unfortunately, Thursday's 13-3 loss to Pascack Hills in the NJSIAA North 1, Group 2 sectional semifinals is not one to be featured on the Sussex County program's highlight reel.

The Braves (18-7) saw their four-game win streak and a bid for the school's first sectional title in 12 years end abruptly on their home field before a good-sized crowd at Memory Park. In all, Newton pitchers issued 14 walks, while the defense committed four costly errors. Very uncharacteristic for a team that usually doesn't beat itself with mental mistakes.

"We picked a bad time for a bad game," said junior center fielder Ben Cramer, one of Newton's top hitters who finished 2-for-3 with an RBI in the loss and a combined 7-for-11 with three RBIs in three playoff games. "It was just one of those days."

Lefty Nick Grant struggled from the first inning through his 3 1/3 frames, walking six and allowing five earned runs on four hits. The Braves ace dropped to 5-1 on the season, despite working out of a bases-loaded jam in the first inning. After allowing an RBI single in the third to Pascack Hills second baseman John Molinelli -- who walked three times on the day -- that tied the game at 1, Grant didn't make it out of a nightmare seven-run fourth in which he allowed two hits, a sacrifice fly and three straight walks before his departure.

"We were concerned about his pitch count, it seemed like he was 3-2 or 2-2 on every batter the first two innings," said Braves coach John Selitto, who lifted Grant in favor of Anthony Morro after 90 pitches. "He usually pounds the strike zone. He threw a similar game at Lenape Valley [an 8-6 Newton win on April 30]. He tends to get himself too amped up. He's young and needs to take the same approach every game and go about his business."

Selitto said all of his pitchers were available, except No. 2 starter Chris Branham, who threw 106 pitches in Sunday's 3-2 win over Glen Rock in the quarterfinals. That being the case, Selitto was forced to go with Morro out of the bullpen.

"It would've been asking an awful lot [of Branham to pitch]," the coach said. "In big moments this year he's come up to me asked for the ball. He didn't today. It was too important to his future [to not throw]."

Pascack Hills (11-14) took a calculated risk by throwing its No. 2 starter Corey Pic and saving ace Mike Benducci, a junior lefty, for Friday's sectional final against defending champion Mahwah. Pic, a right-hander, went all six innings, allowing two earned runs on nine hits with one walk and four strikeouts.

The Cowboys envoked the possibility of a 10-run rule win with four in the top of the sixth, as reliever Luke Leifken issued four walks, along with a two-run double to shortstop Justin Cirieco and a two-run single to Pic. Amazingly, the Bergen County school left a total of 12 men on base, despite scoring 13 runs on eight hits.

"They came right back at us," said Selitto, whose Braves led 3-1 after three innings thanks to Grant's two-run single with two out. "They're a much better team than their record shows. They're a quality team."

Morro, who started at first base, came on in that decisive fourth inning and issued two walks -- five straight bases on balls for the Cowboys -- and two hits as the visitors sent 12 men to the plate. Down 6-3, an error on shortstop Casey Thomas extended the inning when he couldn't field a routine grounder and get the force at second. Instead, the lead swelled to five runs and essentially took Newton out of the game.

Thomas, who had a tough day in the field, was subbing for starter Jon Bernotas, who was injured during pregame warmups when he was struck in the nose by a thrown ball. Bernotas, who had four RBIs in the previous three games, pinch-hit for Thomas leading off the sixth and grounded out to third.

Pic (5-2), who helped himself at the plate with three RBIs, retired the final five Braves in order -- three on weak ground balls, a flyout and a strikeout. Newton went 3-for-9 with runners in scoring position and had zero extra-base hits.

"Sometimes you tip your hat to the other guys," Selitto said. "We helped them a little bit. We didn't play well. We didn't hit the ball well. We lost a little bit of our swagger around the third or fourth inning. I don't think they got intimidated.

"What we had done well all year was get back in the dugout with 1-2-3 innings and be able to tack on runs. I would've liked to see how we matched up with Mahwah. I thought we were destined for [the title game]."

Despite the loss, Newton can look back on a special season, including its first Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Freedom Division title. In addition, the bulk of the team returns next year, sans senior starters Morro, second baseman Joey Selitto and Branham. Junior catcher Charlie Grotyohann had a breakout season behind the plate, while junior left fielder Justin Smith produced around 40 hits from the leadoff spot.

"This is still a relatively young team," John Selitto said. "I love the way the program has turned. We want this to be a regular occurrence, where we're playing for a state title. That has to be the norm. A lot of good things happened for us. I'm already excited for next year."

PASCACK HILLS (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Messinger rf 4-1-1-1, Cirieco ss 4-2-2-2, Poleway cf 3-2-1-0, Spelling lf 1-2-0-2, Molinelli 2b 2-1-1-2, Pic p 3-0-1-3, MacLetti cr 0-0-0-0, Weinstein 3b 3-1-1-0, Chiavelli c 2-0-0-0, Trumbetti cr 0-2-0-0, Benducci 1b 2-2-1-1. Totals: 24-13-8-11.

NEWTON (ab-r-h-rbi) -- Smith lf 4-1-2-0, Selitto 2b 2-0-0-0, Cramer cf 3-0-2-1, Morro 1b-p 3-1-1-0, Maker 3b 3-1-1-0, Grant p-1b 1-0-1-2, Branham cr 0-0-0-0, Leifken p 1-0-0-0, Vasquez dh/Castle rf 3-0-0-0, Thomas ss 2-0-1-0, Bernotas ph 1-0-0-0, Grotyohann c 3-0-0-0. Totals: 26-3-9-3.

Pascack Hills (11-14)            001     714    --  13   8   3

Newton (18-7)                       102     000    --  3    9   4

E -- Pic, Benducci, Weinstein; Thomas 3, Maker. DP -- Pascack Hills 1 (Pic-Cirieco-Benducci, 4th inning). LOB -- Pascack Hills 12; Newton 7. 2B -- Poleway, Cirieco. SB --  Thomas. CS -- Cirieco. Sac -- Chiavelli; Selitto. SF -- Spelling.

Grant, Morro (4), Leifken (5) and Grotyohann. Pic and Chiavelli. W -- Pic (5-2). L -- Grant (5-1). SO-BB -- Grant 2-6, Morro 1-4, Leifken 0-4; Pic 4-1. WP -- Pic 4; Morro 1, Leifken 1.

Baseball: Newton, Pope John among six still alive

We're heading into the final two weeks of the baseball season and six teams from the Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex area are still chasing state sectional titles.

Sectional semifinals among the public schools are slated to be played -- weather permitting -- on Tuesday. The championships will be contested on Friday. Non-Public quarterfinals are Tuesday, semifinals on Friday and championships on Tuesday, June 4.

In Sussex County, Newton and Sparta posted thrilling wins in quarterfinal games, while Pope John won its opener, 2-0, in the Non-Public North A bracket.

Over in Hunterdon County, North Hunterdon and Hunterdon Central are still dancing, while North Warren is the lone Warren County team still playing games.

I had a chance to catch Pope John against Vernon last week and the Lions are playing with a lot of confidence. With only one starting senior, the Lions are building for a banner year in 2014, but haven't dismissed a run this postseason, despite playing in a killer section.

Up next for coach Vin Bello's team is a quarterfinal date with St. Joseph-Montvale and ace pitcher Rob Kaminsky on Tuesday. Kaminsky, a lefty, features in a mid-90s fastball and a dynamite curve. He will most certainly be selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on June 6.

Pope John (15-13), which has reached at least the quarterfinal round the last five years and won its only sectional title in 2011, knows what it's up against on Tuesday.

"Anyone at this level can beat anyone at any given time," said Lions second baseman Axel D'Addario, one of the team's offensive leaders this season. "Our No. 1 goal is to win a state championship."

Bello said his team is an extremely heavy underdog with Kaminsky on the hill, but his Lions have prepared themselves for the playoffs by playing a very tough non-conference schedule, including games against Bergen Catholic, Don Bosco and Middlesex. Co-NJAC American Division foes, Mount Olive and Sparta, are both playing in Public sectional semifinals.

"We've played a lot of tough teams," Bello said.

Right fielder Michael Young also has been sensational on offense for the Lions, while right-hander Dan Cunico (4-3) will start against St. Joe. Lefty Ethan Collins (6-2) picked up the win on Sunday against DePaul.

Here's a capsule look at the other games on Tuesday involving Open Mike area teams:

North 1, Group 3

7-Sparta at 3-Paramus -- Sparta (17-8-1) rallied late on Monday to beat No. 15 seed Northern Highlands, 10-9, in the quarterfinals. Junior second baseman Austin Unglaub belted a two-out, two-run single for a thrilling walk-off win, after coach Sam Slobodzian's team had given up six runs in the top of the seventh and trailed by two heading into its final at-bats. Sparta, which hasn't won a sectional title since 2000, will now hit the road to face a good Paramus team, which beat Vernon, 9-1, in a first-round matchup. Sparta beat Vernon twice this season -- 9-3 and 6-3. Ace Kevin Foulds pitched 5 2/3 innings on Monday, so Dillon Mendel will likely start this one for the Sussex County Spartans, who have won four straight and have scored a total of 23 runs in their two state playoff wins.

Other semifinal: 12-Mount Olive at 9-Teaneck (Mount Olive lost to Sparta twice this season, 3-1 and 4-3).

North 1, Group 2

15-Pascack Hills at 3-Newton -- How 'bout them Braves? Coach John Selitto's team continued the program's best season since 2001 with an exciting walk-off win of its own on Sunday, 3-2, over No. 6 seed Glen Rock at Memory Park. Center fielder Ben Cramer continued his torrid postseason hitting with a 3-for-4 day, including a double and an RBI. In two playoff wins, Cramer is 5-for-8 with two RBIs. Right-hander Chris Branham (5-1) tossed a four-hitter and struck out seven for the win. Sophomore shortstop Jon Bernotas, who has at least one RBI in four straight games, delivered the walk-off hit with two outs for the Braves, who led 2-0 after six innings. Lefty ace Nick Grant (5-0) will start against Pascack Hills, which upset No. 2 seed Lakeland, 2-0, in the first round. Newton, which has allowed a total of seven runs in its last  four games, seeks its first finals appearance since '01.

Other semifinal: 4-Pequannock at 1-Mahwah.

North 1, Group 1

9-North Warren at 4-New Milford -- Patriots, who have won four in a row and six of seven, are still kicking after an 8-1 thumping of Park Ridge in Sunday's quarterfinals. Coach Jim Haupt's team, which beat Wood-Ridge, 2-0, in the first round, got strong performances from ace Alek Hladik (5-4), who had eight strikeouts, and Mike Clothier, who drove in three runs, against Park Ridge. Clothier is on fire at the plate, with seven RBIs in his last four games. Hunter Stevens (4-3) should get the ball against New Milford.

Other semifinal: 3-Emerson Boro at 2-Pompton Lakes.

North 2, Group 4

5-North Hunterdon at 1-Watchung Hills -- Lions advanced with a nice 5-3 win over Millburn on Thursday in the quarterfinals. Senior outfielder Andrew Gianos went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while senior outfielder C.J. Rasile was 2-for-4 with two RBIs against coach Brian Chapman's Millers. Tyler Smith picked up the win on the mound, so both he and Justin Trinity could pitch against Watchung Hills, which finished second in the Skyland Conference Delaware Division. The Warriors beat the Lions, 6-2, on April 16. Smith took the loss in that one. The second regular-season meeting was cancelled.

Other semifinal: 14-Perth Amboy at 10-Westfield.

Central Jersey, Group 4

12-Marlboro at 9-Hunterdon Central -- Red Devils are rolling right along -- beating West Windsor South, 7-4, in the quarterfinals for their 10th straight win. Coach Mike Raymond's team, which won its second HWS title, is 10-1 in the month of May. Shortstop Jeremy Ake belted a two-run homer -- his team-leading sixth of the season -- and ace right-hander Billy Maier (6-2, 2.10 ERA) struck out seven for his fourth win in his last four outings. Maier shut out Vernon, 10-0, on May 18 in the tri-county final. Mike Novello (5-2, 2.75 ERA) got the win over Howell in the opening round of the sectional tournament.

Other semifinal: 14-Brick Memorial at 2-Jackson Memorial.

Baseball: Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex standings

   Through games on May 23

Skyland Conference
Delaware Division
		Overall	Division
x-Montgomery		(19-5)	(11-3)
Watchung Hills		(21-5)	(9-4)
North Hunterdon		(16-11)	(8-5)
z-Hunterdon Central		(18-8)	(8-6)
Bridgewater-Raritan		(18-10)	(8-6)
Immaculata		(12-11)	(6-8)
Hillsborough		(9-13)	(4-10)
Phillipsburg		(7-18)	(1-13)
Raritan Division
		Overall	Division
x-Somerville		(15-12)	(9-1)
x-Ridge		(16-8)	(9-1)
Warren Hills		(11-14)	(4-6)
Delaware Valley		(9-12)	(4-6)
Voorhees		(6-16)	(3-7)
Franklin		(3-14)	(1-9)
Valley Division
		Overall	Division
xz-Bernards		(21-5)	(13-1)
Pingry		(17-7)	(11-3)
Gill St. Bernard's		(14-12)	(10-4)
Belvidere		(10-14)	(6-8)
North Plainfield		(8-14)	(6-8)
South Hunterdon		(6-13)	(5-9)
Bound Brook		(6-15)	(4-10)
Manville		(3-15)	(1-13)
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Freedom Division
		Overall	Division
x-Newton		(17-6)	(13-1)
Jefferson		(18-11)	(10-4)
North Warren		(13-9)	(9-5)
Lenape Valley		(12-11)	(7-7)
Wallkill Valley		(8-13)	(7-7)
Hackettstown		(10-13)	(5-9)
Kittatinny		(7-15)	(4-10)
Hopatcong		(2-23)	(1-13)
American Division
		Overall	Division
x-Montville		(17-8)	(11-3)
Sparta		(16-8-1)	(10-3-1)
Pope John		(14-13)	(8-6)
Morris Hills		(14-12-2)	(6-6-2)
Mount Olive		(16-11-1)	(6-7-1)
Morris Knolls		(7-17-2)	(5-7-2)
Vernon		(11-13)	(5-9)
High Point		(5-14)	(2-12)
x-division champion
z-county champion