Varsity emerges Victorious over Kinnelon in County Preliminary

On January 30th, the Varsity team met Kinnelon for the Preliminary Round of the Morris County Tournament. Having not ever seen the team prior to this fateful match, Head Coach Reel and his team were sure to be prepared for anything; and would ultimately perform at a level that Kinnelon simply could not match. In typical fashion, Seniors Daniel Oyederian (fifteen points, ten rebounds), and Drew Stack (twelve points, eight rebounds) dominated the court on offense and attacked the boards, and with comparatively little offensive momentum for Kinnelon, the outcome would quickly become apparent. Though they hung with the Dodgers through the first quarter – holding them to a tie game of 13-13, Madison quickly opened a ten point differential to their advantage by the end of the half. In the ever-deciding third quarter, Kinnelon would score only four points against Madison’s thirteen, a trend of smooth control over the game that the Dodgers would carry through to its end. The final score was 54-36, Madison. 

JV did not have its County game on January 30th. The Freshman team does not participate in Counties.

Madison Sweeps MoBeard, All Teams Earning a Win

In a series of games very much akin to the first time these two teams faced off two weeks prior, the Varsity, JV, and Freshman games against MoBeard on February 1st weren’t anything of particular note. With regards to Varsity, the Dodgers immediately asserted themselves; scoring three times as many points as their opponent. And while MoBeard would come back to cut Madison’s lead to just two points by the end of the first half, the ever decisive 3rd quarter would see the Dodgers shatter any momentum MoBeard might’ve had entering into the second half. Though Max Masino would again lead MoBeard in points, his accomplishment would pale in comparison to the performances of Madison seniors Daniel Oyederian (twenty points, three rebounds), and Drew Stack (eleven points), and even rotation players like junior Jared Barnes (six points, one rebound). The Dodgers would cruise through the fourth quarter, out-scoring MoBeard for the 3rd time in the game and earning a comfortable victory. The final score was 51-38, Madison.

The JV team would also win comfortably, with a final score of 67-52. The freshman team did not play MoBeard.

The Dodgers Breeze Through Mountain Lakes in Mirror of Previous Match-Up

The next day on February 2nd, Madison played against Mountain Lakes for the second time; this time on their home turf. However, due to a significant loss in strength and seniority typical of a Mountain Lakes team, this match-up would follow the first; that being, a total wash-out. Although Tim Christ would put up an impressive eighteen points for Mountain Lakes, senior Drew Stack would top this with nineteen, along with nine rebounds; and while Christ lacked any players alongside him who could make any real impact, Madison had far from any such shortage. Seniors Tomasso Maher (eleven points) and Daniel Oyederian (sixteen points) also played quite well, and the Dodgers would go on to outscore Lakes in every single quarter; sailing to another win. The final score was 53-37, Madison.

In similar fashion, the freshman and JV teams would also score solid victories – with scores of 69-54 and 50-37 respectively.

Varsity Dominates, Earns Hard-fought Team Upset Over Jefferson in First Round of County Tournament

For the first round of the county tournament, on Saturday, February 5th, the Varsity team faced off against Jefferson on their turf. The Dodgers were seeded eleventh, whereas Jefferson was seeded sixth; meaning a victory would constitute a significant upset. However, the Dodgers have never been a team to consider the odds, and would go on to play arguably the best game they have played yet in the season so far. Jefferson hit hard – with multiple players earning over ten points, including Jake Studnick with a total of twenty points – but Madison’s top players hit even harder: Senior Drew Stack put up his fourth double double and a season high thirty-one points, followed closely by Daniel Oyederian with twenty one points and Carson Pacheco with twelve points. The entire team played with incredible synergy and efficiency; denying Jefferson extra opportunities. There was never quite a dull moment, as the teams raced neck and neck throughout the game, but the Dodgers would ultimately prevail in a hard-fought and well-earned victory. The final score was 77-59, Madison.

JV did not play Jefferson. The freshman team does not compete in Counties.

The Dodgers are set to face off against Roxbury at home this Tuesday, February 8th, at 4pm, at Boonton this Thursday at 7pm, and at Pequannock at 2pm for their County Quarterfinal match. Be sure to attend and cheer them on through another three wins to add to their streak! Go Dodgers!