NJSIAA cancels remainder of state tournament
“We understand that our decision will disappoint many, but believe it to be in the best interest of our studentathletes and all those involved with the games.”
Fusik, whose team is ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 11 nationally, said he was hoping to make it to Saturday when his Iron Mikes were scheduled to face Saddle River Day in the Non-Public B state title game at the RWJBarnabas Health Arena in Toms River.
“We addressed the team (on Thursday) that we were going to take it one day at a time,” Fusik said. “Saturday was our next big game and we see what happens from there. Our plan was to at least get to Saturday and see what happened after that, but you don’t want to put lives at stake.”
TCA ends its season with a 28-1 record after coming from behind to defeat Rutgers Prep, 53-48, in Wednesday’s Non-Public B South title game at Long Branch High. The Mikes, who had four players — two seniors and two freshmen — averaging doublefigure points this season, won their third consecutive Mercer County Tournament crown (plus record 10th overall) Feb. 28 and were eagerly awaiting a chance to chase a Tournament of Champions title, which they last took home in 2011.
Fusik heaped praise on his seniors Giana Hernandez-Boulden, Wisdom Maddox, Maniya Custis, Ciara Bailey, Molly Aromando and Taiylor Bussey.
“Our seniors bought in from day one and they led by example in practice,” Fusik said. “They came in and said, ‘we’re not worried about personal goals, we’re worried about team goals.’ They took our freshmen by the hand and helped lead the way. Our freshmen responded in big ways in big games. I’m really sad for them because everything we said to them prior to the year they did and accepted. Now, unfortunately, they don’t have as much to show for it as we would have liked.”
Trentonian sportswriter Red Birch contributed to this story