North Hunterdon High School
Athletics Department

North Hunterdon (92) at William Allen (PA) (89) – Boys Basketball

Posted: December 17, 2017 | Entry Type: Post

Michael DelSantro scored 30 points to lead North Hunterdon to a 92-89 come-from-behind win over William Allen (Pa.) in the Lehigh Valley Roundball Jamboree at Whitehall High School in Whitehall, Pa.

Wes Reinagel netted 25 points for North Hunterdon, which trailed by as many as 21 points in the third quarter. The Lions outscored William Allen 33-18 in the fourth quarter. DelSantro hit seven 3-pointers, while Reinagel nailed four 3-pointers.

Xander Braun added nine points and Jack Malley tallied eight points for North Hunterdon.

Source: Lion Athletic News North Hunterdon (92) at William Allen (PA) (89) – Boys Basketball North Hunterdon (92) at William Allen (PA) (89) – Boys Basketball

Wrestling: North Hunterdon’s Gapas, Long Branch win big at Neptune Classic – North takes Fourth

Posted: December 16, 2017 | Entry Type: Post
​Congratulations to the North ​wrestlers for taking fourth at the annual Neptune Wrestling Classic. Andrew Gapas held his performance at the Neptune Classic Saturday under a microscope and he wasn’t totally pleased with what he saw.

“I didn’t do enough to get my shots,” he said. “I didn’t move my feet enough,” said Gapas, a North Hunterdon senior, who was eighth in the state championships last March.

Source: Lion Athletic News Wrestling: North Hunterdon’s Gapas, Long Branch win big at Neptune Classic Wrestling: North Hunterdon’s Gapas, Long Branch win big at Neptune Classic

Hunterdon County boyss winter track previews, 2017-18

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The 2017-18 indoor track season is already under way and there are a number of Hunterdon County athletes to watch from last winter who may be turning heads around the oval and in the field events.
BOYS
HUNTERDON CENTRALSenior Jameson Woodell was a Meet of Champions qualifier in the 55 hurdles and high jump last winter. He is one of …
Source: Lion Athletic News Hunterdon County boyss winter track previews, 2017-18 Hunterdon County boyss winter track previews, 2017-18

North Hunterdon (48) at Gill St. Bernard's (97) – Boys Basketball

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Paul Mulcahy recorded 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists as Gill St. Bernard’s, No. 4 in the NJ.com Top 20, defeated North Hunterdon, 98-47, in Gladstone.
William Soucie followed with a 16-point, 11-rebound double-double to go along with four steals and four assists while William Yarbrough tallied 15 points, four assists and three steals. Alex Schachne finished …
Source: Lion Athletic News North Hunterdon (48) at Gill St. Bernard's (97) – Boys Basketball North Hunterdon (48) at Gill St. Bernard's (97) – Boys Basketball

Hunterdon County Democrat Girls Basketball team previews, 2017-18

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DELAWARE VALLEY
Coach: Michael Haughey, fifth season
Last season: 17-7 (Lost to Hunterdon Central in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex Tournament quarterfinals; lost to Manasquan in the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 2 quarterfinals)
Outlook: Losing a player of Veronica Christ’s caliber may give some coaches the shakes, but Haughey is excited because the team possesses not only another legitimate scorer in …
Source: Lion Athletic News Hunterdon County Democrat Girls Basketball team previews, 2017-18 Hunterdon County Democrat Girls Basketball team previews, 2017-18

Mid-State 38 Football Player of the Year and other postseason honors, 2017

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PLAYER OF THE YEAR: It was only fitting that Matt Busher, arguably the best player in North Hunterdon football history, would end his illustrious Lions career by leading the team to its biggest win in decades.

With Busher throwing a pair of touchdowns, including a 34-yard game-winner to Jared McMahon in the third quarter, North Hunterdon avenged a loss to Phillipsburg by taking out the Stateliners in the North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 title game for the program’s first state championship since 1975.

Busher walked off the MetLife Stadium turf a state champion, having thrown for 2,433 yards and 20 touchdowns this season, his third as a starter, along with 538 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the ground. He also averaged 34.1 yards per punt.

For his career, Busher totaled 4,870 passing yards and 39 touchdowns to go with 1,252 rushing yards and 22 touchdowns. He’s the all-time leader in passing yardage, rushing yardage for a quarterback and total yardage in Hunterdon County football history on top of owning just about every offensive record in North Hunterdon history. The Lions went 22-10 in games started by Busher, who will play baseball at Old Dominion but goes down as one of the best football players in West Jersey history.

Source: Lion Athletic News Mid-State 38 Football Player of the Year and other postseason honors, 2017 Mid-State 38 Football Player of the Year and other postseason honors, 2017

North Hunterdon’s Matt Busher is The Hunterdon Democrat Football Player of the Year

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“People ask me all the time,” said Busher, The Hunterdon County Democrat Player of the Year, who finished with a Hunterdon County record of 5,993 total yards from scrimmage. “But no, baseball is my first love, always has been. Whatever season it is, that is my my favorite sport at that moment, but I’ve never reconsidered. I thought about it a little, but it never got too far.”

Busher knows one thing. He will never forget what transpired in the fall of 2017 when second-seeded North Hunterdon capped off a magical season with a 21-20 victory over top-seeded Phillipsburg in the title game of the North 2, Group 4 championship at MetLife Stadium, avenging its only loss of the season.

“It was crazy, it’s something I will always remember,” said Busher. “It hasn’t really sunk in completely yet, all that we accomplished. It probably will when we get our rings. I can’t wait for that day because that’s going to be when it really hits me.”

Source: Lion Athletic News North Hunterdon’s Matt Busher is The Hunterdon Democrat Football Player of the Year North Hunterdon’s Matt Busher is The Hunterdon Democrat Football Player of the Year

North Hunterdon High School Athletic Department wins the 2017 National Interscholastic Athletic Association Quality Athletic Program Award.

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Congratulations to the North Hunterdon High School Athletic Department for winning the 2017 National Interscholastic Athletic Association Quality Athletic Program Award. This is the first NJ High School to win this prestigious National Award. This is an accreditation of all the hard work the Board of Education, Administration, staff, coaches, students, parents, volunteers, etc have put forth in making North Hunterdon a great place for students to learn and grow. Pictured on the left  Richard Barton,  NIAAA President, John Deutsch, North Hunterdon Assistant Principal/Athletic Administrator and Don Bales, NIAAA Awards Chairman. Picture taken at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix Arizona on December 12, 2017. Click HERE to review the Press Release Post.

Kristin Wolf of North Hunterdon is the Hunterdon County Democrat girls soccer Player of the Year for 2017

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Kristin Wolf was a major part of that surprise county championship. The 2017 Hunterdon County Democrat Player of the Year missed her freshman season with various injuries, and entered her sophomore campaign with senior sister Madeline Wolf likely sidelined for the season after having hip surgery in May.

Source: Lion Athletic News: Kristin Wolf of North Hunterdon is the Hunterdon County Democrat girls soccer Player of the Year for 2017

North Hunterdons Chloe Gonzalez is the 2017 Hunterdon Democrat Girls Cross-Country Runner of the Year

Posted: December 8, 2017 | Entry Type: Post

Chloe Gonzalez competed in three varsity cross-country races last season as a freshman, and all three times were over 21 minutes. This fall the North Hunterdon sophomore won an individual title, ran under 18:50 twice at Holmdel Park and placed fifth in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions.

“What I would tell people is, don’t do it if you don’t love it,” Gonzalez said. “All I did was, I made my goals, put in the time and dedication, listened to my coaches and trained hard. That’s it.”

That simple but effective strategy propelled Gonzalez to the front of the Lions’ pack in a season reminiscent of North Hunterdon’s glory days of the 1980s. Thanks in large part to Gonzalez’ emergence, the Lions won section, group and M of C titles for the first time since 1986 when the program won its fourth straight M of C crown. 

At the Nike Northeast Regional, held at Bowdoin Park in Wappingers Falls, N.Y., Gonzalez placed eighth overall in 19:05 and led the Lions to first place and an automatic bid to the Nike Cross Nationals in Portland, Ore.

Click HERE to review the article in the HCDemocrat.com.

FOOTBALL: North Hunterdon’s Matt Busher is the Courier News Offensive Player of the Year

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“Being the quarterback, essentially the leader of the offense and one of the leaders of the team, having your teammates behind you means everything. And having a swagger, having that little attitude about you, it’s really an aspect every competitor needs and should have said Busher”.

Busher’s skills go beyond his demeanor, as he has the physical talents to match his mental toughness. The senior, who also handles the punting duties, did it with his legs and his arm, setting program and Hunterdon County records along the way.

Busher finished 153-of-287 passing for 2.432 yards and 20 touchdowns this season, tossing 14 interceptions, adding 556 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. He departs as Hunterdon County’s all-time career leader in passing yards (4,879), quarterback rushing yards (1,270), and quarterback rushing touchdowns (22), breaking some of the records set by Hunterdon Central legend Tom Bill, who later played at Penn State.

“He’s just a great kid,” Mazzetta said. “He does what he’s supposed to do, he’s very respectful, he’s heavily involved in the community, he supports the other programs, and I can’t say enough about him. His character is where it needs to be and he has a bright future. He has the swagger. He walks tall in the hallways, but he’s humble. He’s confident, but a humbled young man, and he works his tail off.”

Click HERE to review the article on the Courier news.com.

Hunterdon Democrat Boys Soccer Season in Review, 2017

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DELAWARE VALLEYA lack of offense made for a trying autumn for the Terriers. After a season-opening win at South Hunterdon, Del Val struggled to score in every match and staggered to a 3-16 finish. Del Val got scored one goal or less in 17 of its 19 games. The season also halted a two-year run of making an appearance in …
Source: Lion Athletic News Hunterdon Democrat Boys Soccer Season in Review, 2017 Hunterdon Democrat Boys Soccer Season in Review, 2017

Girls Cross Country: North Hunterdon is the NJ.com team of the year

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  • Nike Northeast Regional Champions
  • New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Meet of Champions
  • New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Group IV State Champions
  • New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association North II, Group Sectional Champions
  • Skyland Conference Champions
  • Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex County Champions

Left to Right: Volunteer Coaches Brian Walsh and Jeff Shanklin, Chloe Gonzalez, Emily Nugent, Angela Kearsley, Alex Carlson, Brenna Talamo, Ellie DiMarcello, Carleigh Haris, Sami Kehler and Head Coach: Sean Walsh.

One of the most decorated cross country teams in the state, coming into the state championship meet tied for the most state titles with eight, the Lions had swung and miss the last two seasons at the group meet after winning the sectional title.

When North Hunterdon finally got over that hump, winning the Group 4 championship, there was almost a sigh of relief in finally accomplishing its first state title since 2000. And once the Lions finally won the state championship, there wasn’t much that could stop them.

Source: Lion Athletic News Girls Cross Country: North Hunterdon is the NJ.com team of the year Girls Cross Country: North Hunterdon is the NJ.com team of the year

Girls Cross Country: Sean Walsh of North Hunterdon is the NJ.com coach of the year

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Sean Walsh knows well just how much work and how many positive influences need to be present in order for a program to succeed.

So when his North Hunterdon girls cross country team found itself at the top of New Jersey, winning the Meet of Champions team title, Walsh understood just how many deserved congratulations for the Lions’ success.

Walsh acknowledged his two assistant coaches in Brian Walsh, his brother, and Jeff Shanklin, as well as the Hunterdon Lions Track Club. With year-round training plus the support of the parents and the community as a whole, Walsh believes the amount of people involved in the process make the victories that much sweeter.

“There’s so many people involved,” Walsh said. “That’s the cool part about the community and the parents and the girls’ efforts and the track club efforts and the coach’s efforts. When they won the Meet of Champions, it meant so much more because so many people take pride in it and are a part of it. It makes just so much more special.”

Source: Lion Athletic News Girls Cross Country: Sean Walsh of North Hunterdon is the NJ.com coach of the year Girls Cross Country: Sean Walsh of North Hunterdon is the NJ.com coach of the year

North Hunterdon's Chloe Gonzalez is The Hunterdon Democrat Girls Cross-Country Runner of the Year, 2017

Posted: | Entry Type: Post

Chloe Gonzalez competed in three varsity cross-country races last season as a freshman, and all three times were over 21 minutes. This fall the North Hunterdon sophomore won an individual title, ran under 18:50 twice at Holmdel Park and placed fifth in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions.
Her progress was so stunning, the turnaround in her performance so dramatic …
Source: Lion Athletic News North Hunterdon's Chloe Gonzalez is The Hunterdon Democrat Girls Cross-Country Runner of the Year, 2017 North Hunterdon's Chloe Gonzalez is The Hunterdon Democrat Girls Cross-Country Runner of the Year, 2017

Lady Lion Cross Country team takes 21st at the 2017 Nike Cross Nationals

Posted: December 2, 2017 | Entry Type: Post

Congratulations to the Lady Lion Cross Country team for taking 21st at the 2017 Nike Cross Nationals.

  • Chloe Gonzalez placed 94th with a time of 19:15:8
  • Emily Nugent placed 111th with a time of 19:34:6
  • Ellie Dimarcello place 134th with a time of 19:56:1
  • Brenna Talamo placed 172nd with a time of 20:34:9
  • Alex Carlson placed 183rd with a time of 20:47:8
  • Sami Kehler placed 192nd with a time of 21:08:0
  • Angela Kearsley placed 195th with a time of 21:23:5

Click HERE to review all the results on Flotrack.org.

Source: Lion Athletic News Cross Country: Christian Brothers finishes seventh at Nike Cross Nationals Cross Country: Christian Brothers finishes seventh at Nike Cross Nationals

North Hunterdon tops Phillipsburg for N2G4 crown in a thriller

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The NJSIAA North Jersey, Section 2, Group 4 title game game started in about the sloppiest and most bizarre fashion possible, with three straight turnovers, four in the first five plays and then a 94-yard touchdown. 

And somehow, the game had an even crazier ending.

North Hunterdon overcame turnovers and a long Phillipsburg touchdown early with quarterback Matt Busher and wide receiver Jared McMahon connecting for a slew of incredible passes to come from behind in a 21-20 victory at MetLife Stadium on Saturday for the second state title in program history and the first since 1975.

​NORTH HUNTERDON (11-1) 0-7-14-0 — 21

PHILLIPSBURG (10-2) 7-7-0-6 — 20
SCORING PLAYS:
P – Morro 94 pass from Staggard (Oertel kick)
P –Walker-Sutton 1 run (Oertel kick)
NH – Honthy 12 pass from Busher (Spies kick)
NH – Wain 3 run (Spies kick)
NH – J. McMahon 34 pass from Busher (Spies kick)
P – Stagaard 24 run (kick failed)
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS:
RUSHING: NH—Busher 11-43, Wain 21-94, Honthy 1-10; P—Walker-Sutton 16-71, Staggard 5-50, Morro 1-(-4), Salahuddin 6-14.
PASSING: NH—Busher 18-35-2-3-240, Wain 0-1-0-0-0; P—Staggard 6-16-1-0-188.
RECEIVING: NH—C. McMahon 3-13, Honthy 7-81, J. McMahon 5-120, Ingenito 2-44, Wain 1-21; P—Morro 3-136, Boothman 1-22, Poremba 2-30.

Source: Lion Athletic News North Hunterdon tops Phillipsburg for N2G4 crown in a thriller North Hunterdon tops Phillipsburg for N2G4 crown in a thriller

Click below to review other articles by NJ.com, Courier News and Lehighvalleylive.com.

Hunterdon County girls volleyball season in review, 2017

Posted: November 30, 2017 | Entry Type: Post

NORTH HUNTERDON (19-7)
Despite going from 21 wins last season to 19 this fall, North Hunterdon was able to put together another terrific season.
Coach Kirk Hissner had to get his squad ready to go from the beginning after losing Sarah Jennison and Sara Gallo, two of the team’s top hitters, to graduation and the team had plenty of girls …
Source: Lion Athletic News Hunterdon County girls volleyball season in review, 2017 Hunterdon County girls volleyball season in review, 2017

Important Rules for Football Game at Met Life Stadium

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Important Rules and Information:

  • Tickets are to be purchased at Met Life Stadium – CASH ONLY (Credit Cards not Accepted): $9 for adults, $3 for students and senior citizens.  Ticket window will be open at 9:00am on Saturday. Ticket is good for the day so you can stay for all football games on that day.  If you leave and come back, you will have to purchase another ticket.
    • Fans are advised to arrive at least one hour before game time when their team is the second or third game of the day (North Hunterdon game begins at 1:00pm).
  • Parking is $12.  Parking lot will open at 8:00am on Saturday. NJ State Police will be patrolling the parking lot.
  • North Hunterdon is considered the visiting team and will be on the west side of stadium.
  • No alcoholic beverages/illegal substances. NJSIAA procedures and pertinent statutes to be strictly enforced.
  • Tailgating is allowed, but no alcoholic beverages/illegal substances.
  • No cans, bottles or containers are to be brought into Met Life Stadium.
  • No banners, streamers, powder or other such decorative material.
  • Solicitations. sale of publications/products or similar activities are not permitted without prior authorization from Met Life Stadium.
  • Fans should NOT bring bags, backpacks, briefcases, umbrellas or similar items into the stadium. All items brought into the stadium will be inspected. Any bags brought into the stadium must be a clear bag (click here for specifics).
  • Stadium regulations prohibit bottles, cans, alcoholic beverages, coolers, whistles and balls, or any other items deemed unacceptable by stadium management from being brought into the facility.
  • Posters, flags, noise-making devices, pointed objects, laser pointers, air horns, poles, fireworks, weapons, powder, and balloons are NOT permitted.  No mechanical noise-making devices will be permitted. 
  • Students are not allowed to throw anything out from the stands during the game such as flour, confetti, etc. Students will be removed from the stadium if there are any violators of this rule by MetLife security.
  • No spectators are allowed on the field at the conclusion of the game. 

To all our fans, please display good sportsmanship while at the game. Please cheer for our team, not against the opposing team, coaches or officials. Per NJSIAA, any person who engages in any verbal, written or physical conduct related to race, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or religion will not be tolerated, could subject the violator to ejection, and may result in penalties assessed against the team. In addition, reports of such violations will be forwarded to the NJ Division of Civil Rights.

Click HERE to review more information about the Football Sectional Championship.

Voorhees, North Hunterdon football shooting for sectional titles; playoff history

Posted: November 28, 2017 | Entry Type: Post

North Hunterdon and Voorhees have a long history together, so it’s only fitting they will have a chance to win sectional titles on the same field in a matter of hours. Located 6.6 miles from each o…
Source: Lion Athletic News Voorhees, North Hunterdon football shooting for sectional titles; playoff history Voorhees, North Hunterdon football shooting for sectional titles; playoff history

Cross Country: North Hunterdon girls crowned Regional Champs at Nike Cross Nationals Northeast Regionals

Posted: November 25, 2017 | Entry Type: Post

The North Hunterdon girls cross country team left their mark at Bowdoin Park in New York, winning the girls championship team.

A week after their first Meet of Champions team title since 1986, the Lions went 4-9-17-46-61 with top-20 finishes from Chloe Gonzalez (eighth, 19:04.5) and Emily Nugent (20th, 19:32.7). Ellie DiMarcello placed 33rd in 19:59.9 as Angela Kearsley (67th, 20:41.4), Samantha Kehler (87th, 20:57.1), Brenna Talamo (99th, 21:04.8) and Alexandra Carlson (137th, 21:37) rounded out the top seven runners for the Lions.

Source: Lion Athletic News Cross Country: Voorhees’ Romero, North Hunterdon girls crowned regional champs at Nike Cross Nationals Northeast Regionals Cross Country: Voorhees’ Romero, North Hunterdon girls crowned regional champs at Nike Cross Nationals Northeast Regionals

Click HERE to review the results on NYMilesplit.com.