Week in Sports: Falcons Wrestling Takes on Holmdel

Upcoming Game to Watch: Holmdel High School @ Monmouth Regional – Wrestling, Dec. 23

Monmouth Regional came off an impressive showing at the annual Matawan Ice Breaker Tournament during which both 106-pounder Joey Panchak and 126-pounder Dominick Cardella took first place in their respective weight classes, and Julio Hernandez finished second among the 120-pound class. The Falcons are looking to continue their early success.

Holmdel is 2-0 through two matches thus far, including a convincing 58-24 win over Bayonne on Dec. 17

About this column: Our sports columnists review the week in Monmouth County high school sports.

Game of the Week: Red Bank Regional vs. St. John Vianney – Boys Basketball, Dec. 19

After defeating cross-town rival Red Bank Catholic 45-42 in their season opener, the Bucs of defeated St. John Vianney, 67-64, in their second game of 2011 but needed overtime to do so.

Regional outscored the Lancers 9-6 in the extra period, receiving double-digit contributions from Asim Jules and Matt Raybon, who each scored 16 and 10 points, respectively. Additionally, Blake Brandon scored nine points for the Bucs and Seph Williams added eight.

Regular season action continues for Red Bank Regional after the holidays, when they take the court on Jan. 2 at Matawan. 

Athlete of the Week:  Emily Lavin, Girls Basketball, Middletown North High School

Lavin led her Lions to their first win of the season in the team’s opener against Manalapan. The 72-59 victory came thanks to a double-double from Lavin in which she scored 15 points while also grabbing a game-high 19 rebounds. The senior received help from teammates Mia Ehling and Maureen Ciccosante, each who scored 12 points, respectively.

Since the season-opening win, Middletown North has lost its only game, falling to Monmouth Regional 36-33. In that game, the Falcons held Lavin to a mere seven points, but she still grabbed four rebounds, a team high.