By The TimesLedger
DG Minor Division
Cosmo Maintenance had its game in high gear as the team overcame Donnelly Home for Adults, 59-43. Michael Berndt had his best game of the season, scoring 26 points on a combination of silky drives to the basket and deadly outside shooting. Jose Barcena added 21 points, while Andrew Lehr rounded out the scoring for Cosmo with 12, as both players helped to sweep the glass for Cosmo. Joe Lumley’s rebounding and Brendan Corrigan’s tough defense were also big factors in the game. For Donnelly, Jim Brady scored from every angle, pumping in 28 points.
In a contest that saw both teams take turns controlling the tempo of the game, Cosmo Maintenance outlasted Duffner & Voight, 35-33. Cosmo jumped out to a 12-point first quarter lead, as everything clicked on offense and Cosmo’s stingy defense wouldn’t budge. The second and third quarters belonged to Duffner, as Cosmo’s cold shooting and the offense of Mena Yacoub and Elliot Nasser gave Duffner an eight-point lead. Cosmo refused to quit, however, and came alive in the fourth quarter. Andrew Lehr’s jumper got Cosmo within three and Jose Barcena, fighting off an ankle injury, hit two big free throws to give Cosmo a one-point lead. Sebastian Graziani then converted 1-of-2 from the line to give Cosmo a two-point cushion, but Mena Yacoub hit a driving layup to tie the score. On Cosmo’s last possession, Michael Berndt came off a high screen from Joe Lumley with six seconds to play and calmly nailed a 15-foot jumper to seal the win for his team. Point totals were Jose Barcena (16), Michael Berndt (12), Andrew Lehr (6) and Sebastian Graziani (1). For Duffner, Mena Yacoub had 13 points, Elliot Nasser added five and Joseph Angenbroich had six.
Mike Giaccio scored a career-high 23 points to lead Franklin’s Printing to a 50-30 win over Cherry Valley Deli. After being down 12-2, Giaccio went on his scoring spree, hitting from all angles. Playmaker Mike Wiederhold set up Giaccio with great passes and also added 12 points. Stifling defense and extra scoring coming from Max Meltze (5) Lucas Lay (5), Tommy Schreiber (4) and Angelo Castellano (1). Cherry Valley was led by Joe Likul with 16 points.
After trailing 16-13 to an undermanned Bashnagel Roofing team, Franklin’s Printing went on a 30-10 second-half explosion to defeat Bashnagel Roofing, 45-26. Max Meltzer was high man with 15 points. Mike Wiederhold added 14, 12 coming after the intermission. Angelo Castellanos had his best offensive game, coming up with 12 points. Lucas Lay, Tommy Schreiber and Anthony Romanelli added defense and hustle to a well-balanced Franklin’s Printing squad. Bashnagel Roofing was led by Adam Breidbart with six points. The Frankel brothers, Zach and Logan, playing in the same game for the first time, added terrific defense to keep the game close in the first half.
DG Bantam Division
In a real thriller, Varsi Deli put together a fourth quarter comeback to defeat Nappa and Sonoma Steakhouse, 31-29. Varsi held the lead for most of the first half until Nappa caught fire in the third period behind the hot shooting of Stephan Mare and Derek Lamacchia to take a three-point lead going into the last four minutes. Varsi’s defense tightened, however, and two free throws by Kenny Lehr got Varsi within a basket. A beautiful pass off the fastbreak by Patrick Berndt set up Chris Kekovski for the go-ahead basket, as Varsi’s defense held tough in the last seconds for the win. Both teams played excellent basketball with Varsi’s scoring coming from Chris Kekovski (12), Patrick Berndt (5), Kenny Lehr (4), Manny Barcena (4) and Louis Kabatnik (6).
Carvel scooped up a win against the tough defense of Metro Interior Contracting, 25-24. Carvel’s offense was led by Chris Garthright, who poured in 11 points. Steven Efkarpides pounded in nine, Danny Santeufemia added three and Andrew Silvestri hit for two. The defense was led by Kevin Conklin with two steals. David Rojas led all scorers for Metro with seven. Aris Santis and Joseph Schade both poured in five apiece, while Logan Frankel pumped in four and David Legaz hit for two. Mike Gallagher led Metro’s defense with three steals and great hustle.
Carvel managed a win against the tough defense of Varsi Deli, 26-24 in a real nailbiter. Carvel's offense was led by Chris Garthright, who hit from everywhere on the floor for a career-high 20 points. Danny Santuefemia, Andrew Silvestri and Anthony Merkele chipped in with two apiece for a total team effort. Dust Lee and Max Popper had two steals each. Varsi Deli’s offense was led by Louis Kabatnik, who pounded in eight. Chris Kekovski connected for seven, Patrick Berndt poured in five and Kenny Lehr pumped in four. The Varsi defense was led by Manny Barcena and Billy Brady.
DG Major Division
In a game that went back and forth until the third quarter, Graham Restoration beat DTX, 43-37. Tommy Franceschini, Joe Montgomery, David Anderkavich and Sal Bartellino scored big for Graham. Joey Graham, Joe Tortorella and Mike Gambino played a great defensive game.
DG Girls Division
In a terrific game by both sides, Verdi’s defeated Dr. Musaffi, 26-25. Verdi’s trailed for most of the game, but was able to squeeze out a lead with clutch baskets from Christine Kuzniewski, Megan Latham and Nicole Conforti. Shannon Kern and Lexi Mannix led the team with their great team effort and play-making. Dr. Musaffi’s Christine O’Donnell, Katie Bowler, Daniella Velucci and Tina Mavroudes played a very strong game in trying to secure the win.
DG Novice Division
The DG Nets defeated the DG Knicks by the score of 18-10 for their eighth win of the season. The Nets were led by the shooting of Jenna Schiffman, Travis Lippert, Mathew Mora and Nicolai Gallegos. Great defensive play was provided by Sarah Friedman, Sarah Ho and John Doyle.
