The Record from Hackensack, New Jersey • 30

C-6 THE RECORD HIGH SCHOOL TUESDAY, JUNE 9, 1992 title cca gives Paramus Catholic its firs PAROCHIAL run at the plate. A couple of errors, one on a potential double-play ball, opened the door, Out with relief specialist Mike Cebulski hurriedly warming up "I saw him go down when they had first and third, but I wanted to finish it myself," Ricca said he shut the door. Ricca (8-1) was scheduled to pitch Sunday's game, which was postponed because of wet grounds. "I was a little worried going into the game because I hadn't pitched since the semis May 29, and with the bad weather I haven't had much chance to throw. But the heat helped keep me loose and helped my fastball and curve." After giving up a ground ball single in the first, Ricca wasn't touched again until he gave up an infield hit in the seventh.

Meanwhile, PC (29-2) opened a 4-0 lead. It scored three times in the second inning with Ricca, An (I -v. at first sight for first A BASEBALL thony DeLallo, Todd Bojot, and Jay Arnesen getting consecutive singles. The third run came in on Sheldon's sacrifice fly. The other score came without a hit in the fourth as John Way and Joe Bischoff walked and the bases filled on a fielder's choice.

Joe Wa-leek's sacrifice fly knocked in the final run as the Paladins stranded a dozen runners. "Paramus Catholic didn't crush the ball today," said Paul VI coach Anthony Mitchell. "A couple of their key hits were bloopers to right, and that was the game. But their pitcher threw very well." "Ricca pitched a great game," said Bertolini. "He pitched well even in the last inning but, the miscues hurt us.

His ERA is misleading 3.90 because he's gone against the best teams and gave up runs late in the game after we had But before that happened, reserve catcher Mike Davis caught a Cebulski pitch the wrong way. "I was in my windup when he turned his head to see a play," said Cebulski. "I called out to him, but as he turned his head, the ball hit him in the throat." There was another injury which held up the game 20 minutes earli- New Jersey's 7 4 UJUaaaaaaaaaaBiaaiaaRiBs humid, but I'm happy with the win." Mike Cebulski, who had a hand in 16 of the Paladins' 29 victories, almost had the day off. But when a couple of seventh-inning errors allowed Paul VI to score, he rushed to the bullpen. "I thought I was coming in, but Mike Ricca worked his way out real good." All-County athlete photos Photographs of AU-Bergen and All-Passaic first-team athletes in baseball, softball, boys tennis, and boys and girls track will be taken today in The Record's Hackensack and Wayne offices.

Athletes should attend the photo session most convenient for them. Pictures will be taken in the Wayne office, 1350 Route 23 North, from 4-5 p.m. and in the Hackensack office, 150 River from 7-8 p.m. Athletes unable to attend should call The Record at 646-4430 between 3-8 p.m. to make other arrangements.

CARMINE GALASSOTHE RECORD Winning pitcher Mike Ricca of Paramus Catholic leaps for joy following the final out In the Paladins 4-2 Parochial A final win. FINAL STATE BASEBALL POLL a decent lead." Bertolini credits the club's success to hard work. "They've worked together all year and right up to this game. And even this week with graduation for the seniors and exams for the undergraduates, they kept on working. "That's why I call this the best team we've ever had at Paramus Catholic." Paramus Cath.

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SB Kuplec $-6alol. SF-WalatK, Sheldon. PITCHINO Ip Greenwood 4-1 4 9 Ricca WP-Rlcc. baseman er. It happened in the top of the fourth inning.

The Paul VI leadoff man walked and Don Manfredo grounded to short. Ken Sheldon flipped to Todd Bejot for the force, but the second baseman's attempt at a doubleplay flew over first. Manfredo took a deep turn rounding first and set off for second. Meanwhile, catcher Joe Wa-leck caught up to the ball and fired to second. The runner tried diving into the bag but was tagged out by Bejot for the second out.

"I was blocking the bag and catching the ball at the same time," said Bejot. "His shoulder hit my knee." The early diagnosis was a sprained right shoulder, but he was taken by ambulance to the hospital for X-rays. Manfredo was one of seven juniors starting for the Eagles, along with one sophomore. BOB KURLAND top athletes BASEBALL hits for the win, striking out six and walking four. ST.

ROSE 12, ESSEX CATH. 6 SUtt final (23-4) St. Raw 400 Ml i 10 2 (H4) EMX Cath. 020 OM I I I i 1. Cherry Hill West 2.

Hamilton East 3. Edison 4. Marlst 5. Toms River South 11. Cherry Hill East 12.

Paramus Catholic 13. Newark Eastside 14. St. Rose 15. West Essex 6.

Hoboken 7. Elizabeth 8. Clifton 9. Rutherford 10. Kingsway By Bob Kurland Record Stiff Writer PISCATAWAY Mike Ricca presented Paramus Catholic with something none of his illustrious predecessors could deliver a State Parochial A baseball championship.

The junior right-hander allowed only three hits as the Paladins defeated Paul VI of Haddonfield, 4-2, in the championship game Monday at Rutgers. It was his eighth win of the season, which tied the school's single-season record. And Ricca, the No. 7 hitter, was part of the lower section of the batting order that contributed four hits in eight at-bats, scored three runs, and drove in one. "That shows you the kind of batting order we have," said winning coach Ed Bertolini.

"Everyone helps out." Ricca carried a one-hit shutout into the seventh inning of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament game, but wound up with the tying It was love PISCATAWAY Joe Bischoff took a good long look at the Rutgers baseball field he hopes to play on for the next four years and found it to his liking. "As soon as I saw the field, I fell in love with it," said the Paramus Catholic first baseman Monday following the Paladins 4-2 Parochial A championship victory over Paul VI. Watching the senior in action was Rutgers coach Freddie Hill. "He's a strong kid and right now I see him having a shot as our designated hitter," said Hill. Knowing the coach was looking on bothered Bischoff at the start.

"I was a a little nervous," he said, "but after walking, I loosened up." The lefty swinger took a full-count third strike the second time at-bat, walked the third, and pulled a long double to right in the sixth. "At first I thought I had a shot at it going out, but the air was very heavy today 85 degrees and 16. N. Valley at Oemarest 17. Emerson 18.

Essex Catholic 19. Schallck 20. Middlesex 20. Paul VI (Haddon Twp.) Group 3 1. Hamilton East 2.

Toms River East 3. Hoboken 4. West Essex 5. N. Valley at Demarest 6.

Lakewood 7. Morris Knolls 8. Rarltan 9. Watchung Hills 10. N.

Valley at Old Tappan ParochialPrep Marlst St. Rose Essex Catholic DePaul Bishop Eustice 6. Pope John 7. St. Joseph (WNY) 8.

Gloucester Catholic 9. St. Joseph (Hammonton) 10. Union Catholic and sports media personnel. LINDA CATAFFOTHt RECORD Bergen Passaic Sofall Classic.

Group 1 1. Emerson 2. Schallck 3. Middlesex 4. Hawthorne 5.

Cedar Grove 6. Audubon 7. Dunellen 8. Brearly Regional 9. Florence 10.

Keyport Group 4 1. Cherry Hill West 2. 3. 4. 5.

6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Edison Elizabeth Cllfont Cherry Hill East Newark East Side Passaic Tech Randolph East Brunswick Vlneland Pair named By Ron Fox Record Staff Writer EAST RUTHERFORD For Kristin Somogyi and Rodrick Rhodes, modesty is just as much a part of their makeup as basketball talent. That was demonstrated Monday as they accepted with grace the New Jersey Athlete of the Year awards from the Nets and First Fidelity Bancorporation. Somogyi of St. Peter's (New Brunswick), the all-time state career scoring leader, didn't consider her incredible statistics to be enough to gain her the top prize. "I'm surprised," she said during the honor luncheon at Giants Stadium.

"I never thought I would win this, with all these great athletes I've been hearing about." The University of Virginia-bound point guard was named over six other girl finalists, and the 6-foot-8 Rhodes, who starred at nationally ranked St. Anthony of Jersey City, won over six other boys finalists. The two winners' schools receive a $1,000 scholarship in the athletes' names. "I'm not a man of many words," the University of Kentucky-bound Rhodes said. Later, he gave thanks all around.

"I know that I received the right guidance and support from my family and my coaches and my teammates." Rhodes averaged 23 points, 11 rebounds, four blocks, and four assists per game and earned a scholarship to Kentucky. Somogyi's story was doubly unique, since her 3,899 points broke the mark of 3,310 held for 24 years by her father, John. Girls runners-up were Kate Vedder, Morris Catholic soccer; Terry Ann Zawacki, Union tennis; Dana Wynne, Clifford Scott basketball; Christy Garth, Watchung Hills swimming; Tiffany Weather- Selected by Sports In The USA's panel of high school and college coaches GROUP RANKINGS Group 2 1. Rutherford 2. Kingsway 3.

Pequannock 4. Iselln Kennedy 5. Garfield 6. Holmdel 7. Governor Livingston 8.

Delran 9. Newton 10. Caldwell ParochialPrep A 1. Paramus Catholic 2. Paul VI (Haddon Twp) 3.

Holy Cross 4. Don Bosco Prep 5. Bergen Catholic 6. Immaculata 7. Christian Brothers 8.

Notre Dame 9. St. Joseph Regional 10. Seton Hall Prep Prato displays hey form in Sunday's LINOA CATAFFOTHE RECORD The Nets named Rodrick Rhodes of St. Anthony, shown blocking a shot in the 1990 Tournament of Champions, the male Athlete of the Year.

ford, Newark Science track; and Waliyy Dixon, Linden basketball; Toni Fortunate, Whippany Park Gregg Barr, Camden basketball; softball. Boys runners-up were Bryan Stout, Southern Regional John Murphy, Lodi football; Kev- wrestling; and Chris Wojcik, in Foley, Cherry Hill East football; Westfield lacrosse. St. Rose wins its run for the title I EAST BRUNSWICK St. Rose started and finished strong Monday, battering Essex Catholic, 12-6, at Middlesex County Tech to win the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association Parochial" baseball championship.

With four runs in the top of the first and five in the seventh, the Purple Roses of Belmar soared. LOCAL Passaic Valley High School needs a boys basketball team for its holiday basketball tournament Interested schools should call John Wallace at 890-2587 during the day. Delbarton School has an opening for the J.P. Flynn Memorial Boys Basketball Tournament, Dec 28-29, at Delbartcy. It also is PAROCHIAL Chris Matuch capped the win with a three-run homer in the seventh, which gave the Roses (23-4) a 12-4 advantage and left moot a two-run uprising by Essex Catholic in the bottom of the inning.

Kevin Wyunda (11-2) scattered six BRIEFS looking for junior varsity football games and varsity swim meets. Call John Kowalik or Brian Day at 538-3231. Immaculata High School needs a varsity football scrimmage for Sept 18 or Sept 19. Interested schools can call Pierce Frauen-heim at 722-0200. JB: SR-Mike Condon.

HR: Maluch. WP: Kevin Wvuda (11-2). LP: Lawrence Brown. The Record needs football schedules The Record needs the 1992 football schedules for all North Jersey high schools for use in the annual preseason high school football supplement Please send the schedules to: Joanne Hoerr, Sports Department, The Record, 150 River St, Hackensack, NJ. 07601.

1 STARS SHINE: lifton's Michelle.