WV Indians The Tribe with Pride |
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Recent Sports News
For the most up-to-date Athletic Schedules for Wayne Valley sports click on the link below! Come out and support our winter sports!Ski TeamBy: Kiera Clark
As winter looms ahead, the ski team is all bundled up and prepared for snow. Anxiously awaiting to get on the slopes, the team is completing in a minimum of six required dry-land training days. However, with no snow and warm weather in the forecast, it doesn't appear that will be happening any time soon. The skiers have undergone vigorous workout sessions to insure that they are in top physical condition to withstand the series of demands of ski racing. With forces not only from the snow, but also from their competition, the boys and girls teams are pressured to always work to their fullest potential. A constant pressure is applied on the Wayne Valley girls due to the talent of the Mountain Lakes and Immaculate Heart Academy teams. The girls team has three returning sophomores, all of whom qualified for first team all county, and two of them qualified for second team all-state. While lacking in numbers, the up-and-coming boys team sets their sights on competing for a state championship. The boys will have their work cut out for them racing against teams such as Delbarton and Don Bosco, who have ranked as the top two teams in recent years. Come out, throw on your heavy coat, and scream and cheer for your Wayne Valley Ski Racing Team at Mountain Creek. |
WV HoopstersBy: Donnie DeDio
Basketball is truly a team sport. In order to have a competitive team you need to have a skilled player at each position. A point guard is necessary to handle the ball and manage the offense. A good basketball team needs two shooting guards who can make baskets, score, extend the defense and open up the court for the offense to operate. A center and power forward are vital positions to establish an effective low post game and to battle for rebounds. A good team also needs a head coach who can put the pieces together and play a style of basketball that fits the personnel.
Wayne Valley basketball is fortunate to be led by veteran head coach, Joe Leicht. Coach Leicht has been guiding the basketball program at Wayne Valley since 2004. The legendary coach is on his way to winning 500 basketball games as a head coach—an achievement very few high school and college coaches can own up to. Since Leicht’s arrival at Wayne Valley, he has built the basketball program into a perennial contender in Passaic County and the Big North Conference. Coach Leicht has accomplished this by stressing hard work and offseason preparation. During an interview in preparation of this article, the coach stated that the only way to compete year in and year out “is for the players to prepare physically (weight room) and with their skills (in the off-season).” Coach Leicht also wants his players to acknowledge the great winning tradition Wayne Valley basketball has experienced over the years. He said, “I want the present players to live up to these greats and build their own strong link to the legacy for future players to emulate.” Wayne Valley is led by seniors Nick Goodwin, Nick Giuliano, John Zarka and Alex Kokos. Key contributors include Elijah Beard, Joe Scancarella, Charlie Pollack, AJ Tedesco, Chris Khayat and Brian Larranaga. Coach Leicht believes that his team plays best at a high tempo. He added, “We like to play a fast breaking pressing style. To do this, over a full 32 minutes, a player must be in outstanding condition.” Senior forward John Zarka agreed, “If we are going to compete with some of the teams we play, we have to be in great shape. That’s why Coach Leicht stresses conditioning so much.” Wayne Valley’s style of play also matches their personnel. Besides the 6-foot-2 Goodwin and the 6-foot-3 Beard, Wayne Valley does not have much size. To make up for this on the defensive side of the ball Coach Leicht said, “We stress pressure defense away from the basket.” This means that the coach wants his players to play in-your-face defense which includes double-teaming and trapping. If the opposing team is unable to get the ball out of the frontcourt, then they cannot get the ball to the backcourt where Wayne Valley is undersized. On offense, Coach Leicht likes to spread “out our offense to drag our bigger opponents away from the basket.” He continued by saying, “To do this, we must be able to shoot very well, thus the boys must work hard on their shooting in the off-season.” It is apparent when watching a Wayne Valley basketball game that the team has great chemistry. Kokos, Zarka, Giuliano and Goodwin have been playing basketball together since elementary school. Their Wayne PAL travel basketball teams were always highly competitive. Coach Leicht believes that the time his main players have spent on the court together has helped build team chemistry. He stated that, “The beauty of high school sports is that you are playing with people who you have grown up with for the pride in your school. You grow up together dreaming of what will be when you reach the high school teams.” Senior guard Alex Kokos agreed, “Chemistry is vital and is an important element in our success.” He went on to add that playing with the same guys for many years is key because “everyone knows each other’s game and knows where they like to be on the court.” Passaic County is a powerhouse for basketball and this year will be no different. Eastside, Kennedy, Wayne Hills, Wayne Valley, Passaic Teach, Passaic Valley and Manchester are considered to be top contenders for the Passaic County Championship. Both Kokos and Zarka stated that the goal of the season is to “win as many championships as possible.” Coach Leicht followed up by stating, “Our expectations are always the same each year. Play as hard as you can, with the passion to succeed, and we will always contend for league, county, and state championships.” Wayne Valley has all the tools to be a successful team. They have a veteran head coach, skilled players at each position, chemistry and a keen game plan. They have shown their elite status by starting the season with a 5-0 record and winning the prestigious JP Flynn Holiday Tournament. If Wayne Valley continues their effective play, they will definitely make some noise on the local and state levels. Hockey ShortBy: Colleen Mearon
With captain Mike West and assistant captains Braden Ploehn and Alex Depalma leading the charge, the Wayne Valley Ice Hockey team is looking forward to a more successful season than in years past. With no victorious celebrations in the 2013-2014 season and only 4 wins last year, changes had to be made. Players began offseason training much earlier, more depth was added to the team, and some impressive freshmen, including Chris Taranto, are expected to play integral roles in Valley’s hopeful turnaround. Defenseman Braden Ploehn tells us that him and his team “expect more wins this year, and hope to have at least a .500 record.” Many assume the Valley vs. Hills game will be one of their wins; Valley is predicted to be the stronger team this year. Their new-found confidence led them to a 3-3 tie in their first game against Ramapo High School. The following two games against Mahwah and Ramsey resulted in 5-2 and 5-1 defeats respectively. While a 4.33 goals against average isn’t typically a strong statistic in hockey, Junior Goalie Joseph Sponenberg has made some highlight-reel saves, using his glove hand on multiple occasions to rob the opposition. The margin of defeat in the prior two contests could have been much greater without the efforts of the potential All-County goaltender. Wayne Valley hopes to add some more offensive firepower as the winter continues. |