Monday, January 28, 2008

By Rich Barton
NJS.com Staff Writer

Jimmy Schmitt hit two free throws down the stretch to help Elmwood Park clinch its 64-61 win over Pascack Valley in the opening round of the Jambo

ORADELL – Finishing games strong is something Elmwood Park has thrived on over the years. But this season, the talented Crusaders have not been able to get critical defensive stops down the stretch. Evidence of that has come in four of their five losses this season, where they have had fourth-quarter leads before falling.

They stumbled into the first round of the Bergen County Jamboree with two straight losses and faced a hungry Pascack Valley team that led most of the way. Much to the delight of EP head coach Pat Gabriele, his players picked an opportune time to come up with their best defensive stretch of the season.

Ryan Velez hit a three-pointer to put Elmwood Park ahead to stay. From there it was all defense for the Crusaders. Jimmy Schmitt capped the comeback with a steal and two late free throws to close out the scoring as 18th seeded Elmwood Park held the Indians, the No. 15 seed, scoreless over the final three minutes in a thrilling 64-61 triumph.

“We’ve lost so many close games, it’s nice to finally win a big one,” said Gabriele. “Our problem has been getting defensive stops in the fourth quarter. Today, we made eight straight stops to end a game against a very strong, disciplined team. That is huge for a team like us that needed turn things around after two straight losses to Saddle Brook and Passaic.”

Kenny Spooner had the hot hand early for PV.

Kenny Spooner had the hot hand early for Pascack Valley. He hit his first five shots from the floor and had 12 points in a 14-5 run to open the game.

The Crusaders then made a concerted effort to get the ball inside to 6-7 center Ryan Belisle. They did just that and the sophomore delivered. He hit all six of his first-quarter shots to keep Elmwood Park from crawling into a bigger hole.

They cut the lead down to one on a three-pointer by Ken Littlejohn. The Indians answered with an 8-0 spurt to close out the first half and go into the locker room with a 40-31 lead.

Pascack Valley maintained the lead for most of the third quarter until Spooner picked up his fourth foul with 2:08 to play in the period on a charge taken by Schmitt. Jared Forestieri took advantage of it by hitting a pair of elbow jumpers to pull Elmwood Park into a tie going into the fourth quarter, 52-52.

The Indians came out and scored on their first two possessions of the final stanza to go up by five. From there, the Crusaders defense clamped down and stayed within striking distance. Velez put them ahead for the first time in the game with a three-pointer for a 62-61 lead with 2:18 to play. Neither team scored a field goal over the final 2:18, but the game was not without plenty of excitement.

Ryan Velez's 3-pointer with 2:18 to play gave EP its first lead of the game.

Schmitt committed a rare mental error by traveling in the backcourt with just over a minute to play, giving the Indians the first of three chances to pull ahead.

The Indians misfired on their first two opportunities and they fouled the Crusaders, who were in the bonus. But Elmwood Park was not able to pad its lead as it missed the front ends of two separate one-and-one trips to the free throw line.

With the 8.2 seconds left and the Indians going for the win, Schmitt knew he had to atone for his earlier miscue. He stole the inbounds pass and was fouled with 5.5 seconds to play to go to the charity stripe for another one-and-one. But the senior was not going to let this game get away, nailing both free throws to make it 64-61.

Pascack Valley never got off a final shot. Belisle stole a long pass just before the buzzer sounded, lifting Elmwood Park to the comeback win.

Belisle led Elmwood Park (10-5) players in double-figures with 16 points. Forestieri added 15 points and five assists, and Velez had 11. The Crusaders also got a boost off the bench from Karl Walker with nine points and six rebounds.

Sean Liddy (18 points, 10 rebounds) finished with a double-double for PV.

Sean Liddy had a strong outing for Pascack Valley (11-5). The senior forward notched a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Spooner, also a senior, was the game’s high scorer with 19 points. But that did not take away the sting of a dejected Indians’ squad.

“Anytime you lose a game you’re frustrated, especially in this type of atmosphere,” said Pascack Valley head coach Al Coleman. “We didn’t pass and catch as well as we should have. When Kenny Spooner and (Mike) Thomas picked up their fourth fouls, I think that hurt us defensively because they couldn’t be as aggressive. But give Elmwood Park all the credit. We were both in pressure situations in the fourth quarter. They capitalized and we didn’t, that was the difference today between a win a loss.”

Elmwood Park will advance to next Sunday’s Round of 16, where it will face the two-time defending Jambo champion, Don Bosco Prep.

“We have nothing to lose, we’re just going to play hard and have fun,” said Forestieri, a junior. “Two years ago, we lost to St. Joe’s, so I understand what it’s like to be in that situation. We already won a game here and the pressure is off of us now. All we have to do is go out and play loose, and you never know what happens.”

Photos by Michael J. Coppola

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