Boys Basketball: Ridgewood rolls past rival Elmwood Park
By Danny Carlino Contributor January 20, 2012 10:06PM
Ridgewood's Andy Mazurczak drives to the basket as Elmwood Park's Marcellus Hunter defends. | Jon Langham~for Sun-Times Media
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Updated: February 27, 2012 8:11AM
Having a week to prepare for a “Pack the Place” game against your most heated rival it would be fair for Elmwood Park head coach Mike Wasielewski to expect a better start and overall performance than his Tigers had in their 67-51 loss at the hands of Ridgewood on Friday night.
The visiting Rebels took control from the opening tip, jumping out to a 29-12 lead early in the second quarter and making an already tough task into a near impossibility.
“We had no energy to start,” Wasielewski said. “We had a look in our eyes like we didn’t want to be there. I can’t think of something more disappointing than how we came out. If you can’t get up for this rivalry, I don’t know. To be honest, I have no idea or explanation of why we were so flat.”
Senior Julian Molina was the lone Tiger in double digits, scoring just 10 points. After the Rebels ran out to the big lead, Molina got into foul trouble, picking up three by halftime and a fourth early in the third quarter that limited his playing time and ability to lead any comeback effort.
Turnovers didn’t help Elmwood Park (8-7, 4-1) as the Tigers succumbed to Ridgewood’s pressure and turned over the ball 23 times on the night. They didn’t shoot particularly well either as Elmwood Park hit just 14-of-43 field goals for a paltry 34 percent in the game. Senior David Baratta scored eight points for the Tigers, while also pulling down seven rebounds. Dawid Lipiszko netted seven points and Alec Gomez and Elliott Perez each scored six. Elmwood Park came out and was able to outscore Ridgewood by two in the second half, but it was too little and way too late to have an effect on the outcome.
“Ridgewood came out very aggressive, and they made us pay,” Wasielewski said. “Ridgewood has a good team with experienced players, but I hoped our guys would show more passion to start the game.”
The Tigers continue their five-game home stand with two games this week. After hosting Chicago Academy Monday night in a nonconference tilt, Elmwood Park hosts Fenton on Friday night in Metro Suburban Conference play.
“I think we have to show more maturity and stop making excuses,” said Wasielewski. “We have to have better practices.”
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