Whippany Park Downs Rival Hanover On Buzzer Beater

Our Third and Final GSBR game of the day took us to Morris County as Hanover Park traveled across town to Whippany Park. The atmosphere was fitting for a cross town rivalry with full student sections and a loud crowd.

The opening quarter was played at a fast pace with Hanover jumping out to an early 5-3 lead behind a free throw and two buckets from senior guard Anthony Reyes. Hanover employed a 3\4 court press from the opening tip which gave the Whippany backcourt issues and forced a number of turnovers.

Whippany took a timeout to calm things down after back-to-back turnovers gave Hanover Park a 12-5 lead. The Wildcats snapped a four minute scoring drought on a runner by senior Danny Sierchio with 1:30 to go in the quarter, giving them a lift and a much needed bucket. After a Hanover Park triple, Whippany used a patient final set of the quarter to find a cutting Alex Ruvo for a basket, but Hanover Park held a 16-11 lead after 1.

The teams went back and forth in the early part of the second, as Joel George of Hanover and Ruvo traded scores. Hanover pushed their lead to nine at 25-16 behind a pair of Odera Orjiekwe free throws. The Hanover press continued to cause the Whippany backcourt issues through the second quarter and was a key factor in their preservation of a steady lead throughout the quarter. Whippany got a huge shot on a buzzer beating three pointer by senior forward Gavin Giangeruso, but Hanover still led 33-27 at the half.

Whippany got it down to a one possession game early in the third after another Giangeruso three. He would add a free throw to cut the lead to 35-33 midway through the third. George drew a foul and restored the two possession lead but Sierchio dropped an open three from the corner and the lead was down to 37-36 for HP. Hanover had a small run towards the end of the third quarter and extended their lead back towards double digits...Then chaos happened.

Whippany made a run to start the fourth quarter and bring the lead back down to one possession late in the fourth. They proceeded to take a lead late and after the teams traded buckets to see the game tied at 65....Chaos, courtesy of junior forward Thomas Moran.

Case Agency Player Of The Game

Thomas Moran, Whippany Park

Who else? For what more could we ask for? Ice in his veins buzzer beater to win a cross town rivalry game. He had the major moment.

Honorable mention to his teammate Alex Ruvo for the overall game. The senior forward was a force in the paint on both ends of the floor. Ruvo finished with a double double--16&16.

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