Steinert's new era starts with grind-it

Dec. 19 Boys Basketball
Why does Fish4scores love the Bleacher Creatures? Because they love us! Well, OK, that may be a stretch, as Kylie Kieffer
was actually asked by our photographer to hold up her newly acquired t-shirt. But since Kylie did so, we're going into spin
doctor mode and saying it means they love us! And they really loved their Spartans in enthusiastically rooting them on to a
big opening-night win (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos at jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
New season gets jump started by new guys as Spartans hold on for win
By Rich Fisher
Fish4scores.com
Dec. 19: It looked like it
might be a rough night for
Pat Carr when he came
off the bench early in the
first quarter still wearing
his warm-up jersey.
“Rookie mistake,”
teammate Steve Loney
said with a smile.
But Carr blocked out that
little gaffe just like he
blocked five shots as he
was a huge part of
“Newcomer Night” for the
Steinert High boys’
basketball team.
While the 6-foot-5 Carr
provided the defense,
fellow varsity newcomer Chris LaBelle, who had a stellar varsity debut, dribbles against the defense of Hightstown's
Chris LaBelle was a big Khalil White (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos at jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
part of the offense with eight points and eight assists as the Spartans took an exciting, entertaining 4946 win over visiting Hightstown in front of a packed house tonight.
It was the unveiling of coach Dave Perry's
new-look team, as David Stec was the
lone Spartan with any substantial varsity
time last year, although Jeff Cohen,
Garrett Mazur, Loney and Carr did see
bits and pieces of time. Not enough to
consider any of them true returning varsity
players.
And yet they all played their role to the hilt
in their first full game together in the big
time..
Loney scored six of his 12 points in the
fourth quarter, put the Spartans up for
good with two foul shots and sealed the
win with two more. Cohen had 10 points
and hit two 3-pointers at crucial times,
while Mazur tallied eight points and
played tough underneath while Stec had
seven points.
The Spartans big front line of 6-5 Mazur,
6-5 Stec and Carr did a good job on
Hightstown’s Kessly Felizor, who
averaged a double-double last season but
had to work tirelessly for 13 second-half
points and 10 rebounds.
“He scores on putbacks a lot and we
weren’t putting him in position to
rebound,” Hightstown coach Matt
Durstewitz said. “He was in there with
Garrett Mazur grabs a rebound over Hightstown's Khalil White and
trees so it’s different when you’re the
Patrick McNulty (Photo by John Blaine/purchase photos at
smallest out of the front line you’re going jbsportsphoto@aol.com).
against.”
It all added up to a great start for Steinert in its Valley Division debut.
“This means a lot,” Loney said. “Going into Trenton with a 1-0 record, it gives us a lot of confidence.
You can’t ask for much more than that. We worked hard and came out with a W.”
They really had to work hard to keep from suffering a complete collapse, as the Spartans let a 31-21
halftime lead disappear in the third quarter.
Steinert built its advantage at the free throw line, going 14-for-15 in the first half (and 18-for-20 in the
game). LaBelle was 8-for-8 in the second quarter, and also fed Mazur for several easy lay-ups. And
that was after picking up two quick fouls.
“He played real well,” Loney said. “After those two fouls in the first quarter he really settled down and
played a phenomenal game.”
In the third quarter, however, no one played well offensively as Hightstown began pressuring and the
Spartans committed five straight turnovers to start the half.
“We did it on the defensive end,” Durstewitz said. “That’s how we were able to get back in it.”
“We started rushing it; they rushed us up,” Loney said. “We gotta slow it down. We’re not a fast paced
team. When we started rushing, that’s when it got bad.”
It got so bad, that Hightstown took a 34-33 lead, thanks to a 13-2 run to start the third. Cohen came up
huge with a 3-pointer to keep the Rams’ run from getting totally out of control. Hightstown responded
with five straight for another lead, 39-36.
Paging Mr. Cohen.
Swish!
Another three by the senior guard tied it at 39-39. Steinert made it 43-39 before Felizor scored five
straight to give the Rams their last edge at 44-43.
Hightstown had a chance to extend the lead but forced Felizor into a missed shot. Loney hit two foul
shots with 2:27 left and the Spartans had the lead for good. The Rams had two straight opportunities
to answer but missed a baseline jumper and then, after Steinert missed the front end of a one-andone, Felizor was thwarted trying to drive baseline in the Spartan forest.
“We knew they would give him the ball, he’s their best player,” Loney said. “Pat Carr did a helluva job
tonight. I can’t say enough about him. That kid is the hardest working kid I have ever met. He works so
hard. Him and Garrett are unbelievable.”
After Felizor’s missed attempt, LaBelle found Stec for a lay-up to make it 47-44 with 21.1 seconds left.
After a timeout, Hightstown’s Marquis Flegler was fouled on a 3-pointer with 5.1 seconds left and
nearly became a hero after hitting two straight. His third went off the front iron, resulting in two final
free throws by Loney with 3.1 seconds left.
Hightstown had one last-gasp effort but Fleger’s ultra-long 3-point attempt fell short.
Asked if he contemplated missing his second foul shot in order to start a scramble for the rebound to
waste time, Loney said “No, I was making that free throw no matter what.”
And in the end, it all worked out on Newcomer Night.
Follow Rich Fisher on twitter @fish4scores