Saturday, June 23, 2012

By Richie 'Ballgame' Barton

Boys’ Sports Coach of the Year:
Kevin Kirkby, Pascack Hills Basketball

Kevin Kirkby led Pascack Hills all the way to the Group 2 state final.

To make a deep run in the state tournament most coaches would agree that two key components to success are size and athleticism. Kevin Kirkby had neither of those at Pascack Hills. But what he did have was experience, a bevy of shooters, players who played with heart on both ends of the floor, and the ability to adapt to any particular style that an opponent was uncomfortable playing.

Whether is was playing up-tempo and shooting threes or slowing the game down and forcing opposing teams to play defense much longer than they would like, the Cowboys were equally as efficient and as dangerous either way.

Regardless of the situation and the importance of the game, Kirkby always remained calm and his players showed the same type of demeanor throughout the season. That was most evident than in the Group 2 semifinals against Ridgefield Park in a game that was separated by no more than three points at any time in the fourth quarter.

His team remained poised on both ends of the floor and when Jared Shill missed what looked like the last shot of regulation, overtime was just seconds away. But the gritty Cowboys never quit and Brian Horn was able to rip the ball out of the hands of a Ridgefield Park player. Even with time winding down, he had the presence to put the ball take a dribble and put up a high-arcing shot that dropped as time expired to send Pascack Hills to its first-ever Group 2 final.

Runner-Up:
Ron Hayward, Marist Baseball

Ron Hayward led Marist from nowhere to county and state titles.

To sum up what Ron Hayward meant as head coach of the Marist baseball team comes down to a single play at possibly the most crucial moment in the program’s history. The situation was Marist was down a run with runners on the corners and two outs in the bottom of the seventh of the Non-Public B state championship game against Newark Academy.

Hayward could have easily let batter Tim Rodriguez swing away and hoped for the best. But he wanted his team to be aggressive and confident just as he was as both a coach and a player for Marist back in the 90’s. He did something that quite frankly nearly every baseball coach in North Jersey would not even consider trying.

He sent Steve Tsugranes from first early in an effort to create confusion and hopefully draw a balk or allow enough time for the runner to come home form third. His plan was successful as a balk was called, which tied the game before Rodriguez won it on the next pitch with a single in a wild 11-10 victory. Marist doubled its win total from a year ago and more importantly, finished off the year as champions. They won four straight one-run games in the state tournament and became the first team since Memorial (West New York) did it in 1988 to win Hudson County titles and state titles in the same season.

Honorable Mention:
Pete Zisa, Fair Lawn Volleyball
Evan Baumgarten, Ramapo Soccer
Chris Gaskin, Ridgefield Park Basketball
Scott Mahoney, Pompton Lakes Football
Jeff Remo, Mahwah Baseball
Mike Pounds, Ridgewood Lacrosse
Mike Hanchar, Northern Valley/Old Tappan Soccer
Bob Hurley, St. Anthony’s Basketball
Andy Escala, Tenafly Hockey
Kim Marchese, Ramapo Tennis

Girls’ Sports Coach of the Year:
Beth Powell, Northern Valley/Demarest Volleyball

Beth Powell led Demarest to the T of C girls volleyball final.

Coming into the 2011 season, Powell expected her team to be a championship contender. But after an early-season loss to rival Northern Valley/Old Tappan and then another to Livingston later in the week, Powell was uncertain on whether the desire to win would match the talent she saw on the court.

Powell never stopped believing and never stopped tinkering with her rotations until her team got on a roll. Even after a convincing loss in the semifinals of the Bergen County Tournament to Bogota, Powell knew this team had a special quality about them.

She had to figure out throughout the season whom she could ride when they made a mistake and who needed some words of encouragement. Her squad did not have one standout player that could carry the team by herself. But they did have a collective unit that could play with anyone when they were on their game.

Demarest avenged two regular-season losses to Old Tappan in the North 1, Group 3 final with an emphatic 25-12, 25-16 sweep. Then avenged another loss in the Tournament of Champions semifinals when a 25-21, 25-21 sweep over Livingston before falling to IHA in the T of C final to finish with a 24-4 record. It was a bumpy ride, but the Norsewomen bought into what Powell was preaching and it finally clicked at the right time for a team that went from underachievers to overachievers by season’s end.

Runner-Up:
Laura King, Lakeland Softball

Laura King took Lakeland from a six-win team to a 23-6 campaign in 2012.

After collecting just six wins in the 2011 season, Lakeland head coach Laura King had every reason to be demoralized with an unforgiving schedule coming up in 2012. She knew though that if her team could work hard throughout the summer and in the pre-season leading up the season that the close games they lost in 2011 could just as easily turn into wins in 2012.

The Lady Lancers did that and then some with five one-run victories in the first month of the season en route to winning 18 of their first 19 games. Behind freshman pitcher Jen Stoll and sluggers like Allie Yoffee and Nicole Mahoney in the lineup, the Lancers achieved heights the program had not seen prior to this season.

Lakeland finished the year with a 23-6 record and the school’s first appearance in the Passaic County final and first berth in the North 1 Group 3 semifinals.

Honorable Mention:
Jill Cullen-White, West Milford Field Hockey
Tommie Best, Lincoln Basketball
Tara Madigan, Northern Highlands Soccer
Jacob Brown, Ridgewood Track
Anthony Larezza, IHA Softball
Dianne Furusawa, River Dell Volleyball
Karla Mixon, Ridgewood Lacrosse
Eric Ganz, Pascack Hills Tennis
Helen Antzoulides, Rutherford Volleyball and Softball
George Wright, Ramsey Soccer
Brian Hay, Paramus Softball

Miscellaneous Awards:
Dave Jones Fan of the Year Award: Ed Bates

For the second time in three years, Ed takes the cake here. The guy is incredible for not only having the loudest voice ever, but also being at every big softball game of seemingly every team down the stretch without the benefit of a car. I literally don’t know if I could get to a local 7-11 without a car, let alone a game down in Toms River.

Best Dressed Male Coach:
Don Osbourne, Dwight Morrow Boys Basketball

Although he is nowhere near as svelt as he was when he tried to dunk (unsuccessfully, I might add) on our own Cory Doviak during his playing days at Bogota in 1990, Ozzy can still look the part. In his first year as the Dwight Morrow boys basketball coach, he set a standard for dapper dress.

You know a coach is in serious contention for the 'Best Dressed Award' when he brings his gear seperately and changes just before tip off. No wrinkles that way. And when frustration sets in during a game, unbottoning a sport coat is a great way to show displeasure.

Worst Dress Male Coach:
Chris Gaskin, Ridgefield Park Basketball

Chris Gaskin: Notice the shirt tails.

Admittedly Gaskin is one of our boys here at NorthJerseySports.com. I don’t know what’s worse though, his bromance with Doviak or his disheveled look in the fourth quarter of a tight game. It looks like a tornado ripped through the gym and just hit him. Just couldn’t get out of here without giving some love. If only this award came with a cash reward he could put the proceeds toward an iron.

Best Dressed Female Coach: Shenee Clarke, Teaneck Basketball

Clarke seems to win this award every year and her team matched her championship accomplishments with a county and section title. She is always dressed to impress and never wears the same get-up twice.

Not much more to say since I have to come up with something new every year. It’s officially a dynasty! Shenee has a stranglehold on this award.

Worst Dressed Female Coach:
John Way, Former Lodi Girls’ Basketball Coach

Technically Johnny isn’t a female. But he does dress terribly and there was no other place to mention so here he fits. It’s about the only place he fits these days. Yikes, try a salad there chief.

Best Statistician:
Jon Fass WGHT 1500 AM Radio

A pro's pro: Jon Fass.

Unfortunately, I didn’t see Fass enough this year. Probably because he actually does work when he’s at a game; unlike me who is a Chatty Cathy and can’t stop yapping with various coaches and fans on top. Luckily, I have a guy like Fass to help me out with stats when I lose focus, which is often.

Last five songs I added to my ipod:

Can’t Get Enough – J.Cole
Just an new track that kind of has an old school, latin feel to it. Love the hook.

Positive Bleeding – Urge Overkill
This was an underground song that got some airplay when I was a freshman in college. After almost 20 years of not hearing, I randomly heard it one day and it stuck in my head.

It Was A Good Day – Ice Cube
It’s ironic…..the Lakers beat the Supersonics. Hilarious.

Max-A-Million – Hey Fat Boy
This song reminds me of 159 in Hoboken, those were the days. It also reminds me of my boy Bandaid, who looks like a cross between Ernie from Sesame Street and the guy at the bottom of a can of Hawaiian Punch. Not to mention, I’m in his wedding next spring…in Poland of all places. I can’t wait to spend thousands of dollars to get dressed in a penguin suit and listen to polka. I could do that here for free.

Return of the Mack – Mark Morrison
This straight up just reminds me of my Belmar shore house and hitting up D’Jais for an afternoon of fun with about 25 people every weekend and shakin’ it up. It was also randomly playing on our porch on an early Sunday morning when I went out to my car to drive to a softball game I was playing in…only to notice all of the furniture from our porch was on top of my car thanks to the Guru, another boy from college who got the nickname because he never gave a straight answer to question with two possible answers then took credit for being right every time.

Best Referee/Official:
Vic Shack

I would have spelled his last name, but you say Vic Shack and everyone knows who you’re talking about. He always gives Cory and myself access to be as close to the field as possible when most umpires don’t, which is greatly appreciated.

Worst Official:
John Way

John Way practicing his out call between innings.

To be fair, Way is actually a pretty good umpire. But it looks like his outfit was painted on him or he has about 15 pounds of ham stuffed in his shirt. He’s the only guy I know who looks like he’s wearing a chest protector when he’s working the bases. Sadly, it’s probably the most spiffy outfit he owns. Not to mention he has the worst fantasy baseball team ever aptly titled, Worst Team Ever. Soon to be followed by worst figure ever and now you can add worst official. Pugliese and Tredy would be proud.

Best Mozz:
M & P in Hoboken

If you haven’t had their mozz, get it, you can thank me later. If you think you can find better, please send it my way with a tomato, some oil and a salt shaker.

Best Tailgate:
Ramapo Boys Soccer

I only went once because of Doviak’s love affair with the Green Raiders. But the one time I was fortunate enough to go, I supremely embarrassed myself by eating until I practically got sick in the parking lot like puppy that doesn’t know when to stop eating.

Favorite Team(s) to cover:
IHA and Ramsey Softball

Maybe it’s because the season just ended, but I got to spend a lot of time in the dugout with these teams down the stretch and they were both great. IHA was fun-loving and despite all the pressure on them, played as loose as could be, cracking jokes, etc.

Probably the coolest moment all season when in Ramsey’s loss to Pequannock in the North 1 Group 2 final. It was an intense atmosphere and out of nowhere in the second inning, someone asked who let me in here. I had no idea who it was, it was Ramsey pitcher Ally Mende. Even in possibly the biggest game of her career, she was nice enough to get me to chuckle. They were also a great bunch and even though I try to stay impartial, I was genuinely bummed when they lost. Just didn’t want their season to end.

Best Reporter at NorthJerseySports.com:
Sir Richie Ballgame

Really?

I would just like to let you readers be the first to know that I have been knighted by Queen Elizabeth of England herself and I now go by Sir Richie Ballgame, or Sir Richie Awesome is you prefer. What can I say? Great stories, a disappointing high school and college career as an athlete, good banter, preppy outfits with the collar popped…how much more could you possibly ask of writer? The answer, not much. All Doviak has on me is height and Birkenstocks. Richie B brings the party to the party.

With that, look forward to our Teams of the Year and our 2011-2012 finale of Athlete of the Year. I’ll give you a hint. Neither the male or female athlete of the year is Johnny Way.

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