The Hillbillies topped conference rival Glen Ridge High School yesterday 51-36 for their 17th victory of the season. After the first quarter Verona held a slim 15-13 lead but poured it on in the second quarter when they exploded for 18 points while limiting the Ridgers to just three points, sending the Hillbillies into the locker at half time with a comfortable 33-16 lead.
The Hillbillies went up by 21 points after the third quarter, giving Coach McElroy an opportunity to rest his starters and checking out his future talent. Anthony Huber and Brian Farrell, both recipients of the Verona Sports Boosters senior Athlete of the Week award, combined for 34 points. Sophomores Luke Weiss, Matt Braschi, Alex Kaslander, Max Vasile and freshman Frank Ferrari accounted for the balance of the Hillbillies scoring. Farrell and Kaslander combined for six three pointers from long range. The boys head to Garfield tonight to take on the 15-3 Boilermakers in a rare 7 p.m. start. Tonight’s contest is an-out-of conference game for the 17-5 Hillbillies.
Junior Amanda Langan’s 18 points was not enough to hold off rival Montclair Kimberley Academy yesterday as the Hillbilly girls dropped to 4-12 on the season with a 58-46 loss. Down 31-25 at halftime the Hillbillies battled back in the third quarter but just weren’t able to overcome MKA’s Gina Guccione and her impressive 32 points.
Verona siblings Amanda and Brielle Cummings combined for eight tallies. Seniors Emily Aaron, Michelle Frungillo and Julieanne Mascera combined for 15 points and sophomore Julie Rosenberg netted five aided by a one from outside the three point stripe. Next up for the Hillbillies is a Tuesday matchup at Caldwell High School.
