MONTCLAIR- There is little argument that the team most people point to as favorites in the Super Essex Conference-Freedom Division is Shabazz, which recently captured the Newark Public Schools Holiday Tournament championship with a win over Arts which is a member of the SEC’s top division, the American.
Regardless of the plaudits for a team that some say would be better served situated in a higher division, the reality is that they are in the conference’s fifth division, and the teams competing with the Bulldogs for a division title this season are intent on doing just that.
One of those teams is certainly Newark Academy (5-2, 4-0) which remained unbeaten in the SEC-Freedom with a 57-46 victory over longtime private school rival Montclair Kimberley Academy (3-5, 2-1) on Thursday afternoon in the Cougars gym.
“We are definitely playing to try and win a conference championship, and we believe we have a talented team in order to achieve that goal,” said senior co-captain Zach Shirodkar, who scored 10 points, grabbed 5 rebounds and had 3 assists and 3 steals in a fine all-around effort vs. MKA. “We have a great mix of youth and experience and our coaches do a great job preparing us for each opponent.”
One of those youngsters is sophomore Chase Perilman, who had a strong showing vs. MKA scoring 17 of his game-high 21 points in the second half as the Minutemen maintained their fairly comfortable lead throughout. He scored seven points during a 14-9 run in the third quarter which opened up a 43-30 lead and MKA never got any closer than nine points the rest of the way.
“We’ve worked real hard together during the offseason and the chemistry is definitely there for us,” said the Minutemen’s up-and-coming 6-foot swingman. “I look to go hard to the basket or take the outside shot when the opportunity is there and may teammates do a great job finding the open man.”
Another key sophomore is point guard Gabe O’Brien, who provides his own brand of energy on both ends of the court and contributed 9 points and 4 assists vs. MKA.
Shane Sampson, who contributed 7 points and 6 rebounds vs. MKA, fellow senior Benjamin Derman and junior Lachlan Wallace provide some solid floor play, and the Minutemen have some length as well in 6-8 senior center Ayotunde Fagbemi.
Shane’s younger brother, sophomore Avery Sampson, is currently on the injured list, but is expected back later this month and will add more talent and depth to the rotation.
“We have a great group of kids who really buy into what we’re trying to do,” said third-year head coach Danny Petrillo, who is also a former standout Minuteman player. “We have good senior leaders with players like Zach who does a lot of different things out there to help his teammates succeed.
“And, we have some very good, young players who continue to get better each and every day.
“We know that Shabazz has a very good team and we look forward to playing them (with their first meeting of the SEC-Freedom Division home-and-home series being Thursday night, Jan. 15, in Newark), but we also know that you can’t take anyone for granted on our schedule.
“MKA is a great rivalry for us and I have so much respect for Coach Tony Jones who has done such a great job for such a long time, even when I was playing against them.
“We’re happy to come out of here with a well-earned victory and then prepare for our next challenge.”
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