On January 21, 2026, the Gold Gym at the Lions Den of North Hunterdon was electric as the North Lions faced off against the Delaware Valley Terriers in a high-stakes Unified Basketball clash. While Lions coaches Garrett Lelko and Chelsey Lindaberry had their team roaring with energy, Coach Daniel Casserly’s Terriers managed to hold their ground to secure a 55-41 final victory.
The opening quarter was a defensive battle, with the Terriers holding a narrow 14-10 lead by the end of the first quarter. Sean (Shaq Diesel) Pettegrove (Lion), who dominated the paint with 12 points, kept the Lions within striking distance early on. However, the Terriers began to pull away in the second quarter, entering the halftime break with a 28-15 cushion. This surge was fueled by a massive performance from Robert (Dunkzilla) McGlothlin (Terrier), who finished the night with a game-high 20 points.
The Lions refused to back down, mounting a furious comeback attempt in the third quarter by outscoring the Terriers 18-13. Jamie (Luck of the Irish) Sullivan (Lion) caught fire with 10 points, 1 rebound, and 1 steal, while Sylivia Buccini (Lion) chipped in 7 rebounds to tighten the game. Bettina (Bat Girl) Manasseri-Castro (Lion) also provided a spark on both ends of the floor, contributing 6 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals to bring the score to 41-33 heading into the final period.
In the fourth quarter, the Terriers’ “big three” proved to be too much to handle. Thomas (Primetime) Bentley (Terrier) lived up to his nickname by controlling the glass with 7 rebounds and adding 15 points. Jonathan (Mr. Clutch) Bailey (Terrier) was ice-cold under pressure, dropping 12 points, while Nathan (Showtime) Kries (Terrier) kept the momentum swinging with 9 rebounds.
The Terriers also saw contributions from Michael (The Big Ticket) Wojcik (Terrier) with 6 points and Tyler (Shake n Bake) Scherer (Terrier) with 4 rebounds to seal the win. Despite the relentless hustle from the Lions—including Elena (Storm) Plaza (Lion) with 4 points and Marisol Moreno (Lion), recording 4 rebounds and 1 steal—the Terriers maintained their lead until the final buzzer. It was a legendary display of teamwork and sportsmanship from both squads.
Thanks to Marielle (Swallow the whistle) Thorsen for refereeing a great game; medical coverage by Kristen (Ice Queen) Mandicz and scoreboard operations by Ellen (Broadway Show) Anderson.
