It might not be a bright start for Jason Mittelman and his Glen Rock boys basketball team. The Panthers dropped to 0-3 to start the 2011-12 season after falling 77-57 to Becton at home on Thursday.
But fortunately for Glen Rock the team might have hit the toughest part of its schedule from off the first tip-off on Dec. 16 at home against Pascack Hills (50-27, loss) and at Elmwood Park (82-50, loss).
Along with Becton, the three teams could be three of the best teams in the North Jersey Interscholastic Conference.
Mittelman is hoping to get more victories compared to the 6-17 season for 2010-11.
"While last year the focus was on building a solid foundation, increasing the program's numbers and establishing our core values: commitment, responsibility, hard work, respect and integrity," said Mittelman, "this year we are about moving the program forward."
When it is all said and done in January and February, the Glen Rock head coach believes his team will be 'competitive' and collect several wins.
"It's about taking the next step and becoming more competitive...one practice at a time, one game at a time," said Mittelman. "The ultimate goal is not to have a good team every 5 or 6 years but to establish a program that competes on the highest level year after year. This year, our goal is to take a positive step in that direction."
Before the season started, Glen Rock was already behind with the loss of starting post player Brendan Dowling to an ACL injury during the football season. The Panthers also lost top scorer Brett Lederer to graduation.
Coming into this season Glen Rock brought back three senior varsity letter winners in guard/forward Michael Dwyer (6-feet), who was second team all-NJIC along with forward Tim Miller (6-1) and guard Conor Bradley (5-9).
One of the biggest newcomers is a freshman in guard/forward Khalil Williams (5-10), who has put up some big numbers in the first three games.
Inside and replacing Dowling is junior Cole Flashenberg (6-6) who moves up from the junior varsity from last season.
In addition to Flashenberg moving up from the JV, there are few juniors in guards CJ Tahinos (5-9), Ben Schwartz (5-10) and Ethan Gazda (5-10).
In terms of the battle in the NJIC Colonial A division, the Panthers have the toughest task with several quality teams that they will have to play twice this season in Pascack Hills, Elmwood Park, Garfield and Lodi.
Girls basketball
The Glen Rock squad has done what was expected of them by starting 3-0, taking care of Becton, 58-17, at home on Thursday.
The Lady Panthers dismissed the Lady Wildcats in the first quarter by going 21-4 and did not look back.
Nine Glen Rock players scored, led by Margi Rivara with 23 points. Sophia Lederer added 13 points.
Ice hockey
Bolstered by a big win over Ramsey, Glen Rock took care of visiting Princeton, 2-0, at the Ice House in Hackensack on Friday.
The Panthers raised its record to 5-2-1 on the season as goalie Harris Nebbia swatted away 28 shots to register the shutout.
Glen Rock received goals from Kevin Doyle and Matt Gilroy to provide the offense in the independent contest.
In the 2-1 victory over Ramsey, Panthers' Kevin Doyle lit the lamp a minute into the third period to give Glen Rock, the one-goal lead and then Nebbia did the rest in goal to preserve the win. Brandon Rosario also scored for the Panthers.
Boys bowling
The Glen Rock squad has been all strikes so far this season, raising its record to 5-0, after defeating Hawthorne, 5-0 on Dec. 19 before the holiday break.
Mike Bognar led the Panthers keglers with a two-game score of 378 including a game-high 193 in the second match. Tyler Blind added 341 overall score in two games.
Glen Rock varsity sports this week
Dec. 27
Ice hockey, Glen Rock at BSA Holiday Tournament, TBD
Girls basketball, Glen Rock vs. Kinnelon at Kinnelon Holiday Tournament, 5 p.m.
Dec. 28
Boys basketball, Glen Rock vs. Ridgefield at Ridgefield Holiday Tournament, 2 p.m.
Dec. 29
Girls basketball, Glen Rock at Kinnelon Holiday Tournament, TBD
Boys basketball, Glen Rock at Ridgefield Holiday Tournament, RBD
Wrestling, Glen Rock at Bergen County Championships, Rockland Community College, 9 a.m.
Dec. 30
Wrestling, Glen Rock at Bergen County Championships, Rockland Community College, 9 a.m.
