Rivalry time at East Rutherford

Kevin Carver


Rivalry time at  East Rutherford

R-S Central at East Rutherford basketball (Friday, January 26, 6pm and 7:30pm)

The first time these cross county rivals met nearly a month ago, both were close games until East Rutherford Ladies pulled away by 12 and so did the R-S Central guys.

This time, we head to the jungle of the East high gym. Normally, it's a packed gym and a high energy, high scoring affair for the guys. The ladies tend to have a low scoring game lately because they both make it hard on each other to score.

The East ladies hit enough 3's to win, while Central hit enough 3's to stay around. I am curious to see how this one plays out as East does have the inside advantage and depth. Central has been getting better and I am curious to see if Jada Logan plays or not.

On the guys side, Josh Searcy scored, but it wasn't enough to wreck Zyrion Wilkins and the Hilltoppers from winning the first game.

Does East have the scoring, defense or depth to upend the Hilltoppers this time? Both teams are very good, but runs are key in this one. For the record, East holds a 19-2 record over the last 21 home games. Going back to the last six games in the rivalry, it's tied at 3-3.

Super Bowl teaser

Jacksonville had New England on the ropes, but you can only hold back the Patriots for so long. Jacksonville's offense did exactly what it needed to do in the first half by controlling the clock and scoring points. It still didn't pan out as New England came back from 10 down in the fourth to rally into the Super Bowl.

Even with a cut on his right throwing hand, Tom Brady was solid when he had to be. The cut didn't effect him too much. By the time the Super Bowl is to be played, the cut should be healed enough to where it should only be a scar.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia proved me wrong. Case Keenum and the Vikings struck first, but it was all Eagles after that as they ran up 38 unanswered points to get to the Super Bowl.

The Eagles have been terrible in home playoff games over the years and the Vikings defense played out of their minds for most of the year. With the Eagles losing Carson Wentz, I didn't see Nick Foles as the guy to get it done. He hadn't played great, but he hasn't been completely terrible either. Anyhow, no Super Bowl prediction just yet. It will be next week before we hear that.

ACC Basketball

It's still early, but I don't mind talking a little March Madness. In the ACC, there is a lot of parody. From top to bottom, it's a stacked league. At the moment, Virginia, Duke, UNC, Louisville and Miami are locks.

I am a little worried about Clemson with the depth as Donte Grantham is done for the year with an ACL tear and Elijah Thomas as really the only true big man on the roster.

Notre Dame, N.C. State, Georgia Tech, Boston College, Florida State and Virginia Tech all have a shot to get in as I do believe the ACC will get at least 9 teams in the field when it is all said and done. We are just halfway through league play, but that's what it looks like to this point.