On Tuesday, February 5 the Colonia Lady Patriots suited up for their senior night against New Brunswick. While the Colonia girls tried to enjoy their last home game, they faced the New Brunswick Zebras in a grueling battle for the lead.
The Patriots and the Zebras came out neck and neck in the first quarter. Both teams were breaking past each other’s defense scoring one after the other. The score was 17-8 at the end of the first quarter with Colonia leading. Everything seemed to be looking good for New Brunswick, but Colonia wasn’t giving up. The Patriots gave New Brunswick a hard time overall, taking the lead in the second quarter.
For some Patriots this was going to be their last game ever. On February 5, 2019 Colonia high school basketball and Coach Mentzel said goodbye to 6 seniors that have dedicated all 4 years to the team. Colonia honored seniors Alexa Maglicano, Amaya Martinez, Casey Mulrooney, Caitlyn Hroncich, Gianna Reilly, and Cruz Mendez. All of the girls waited anxiously for the game to start.
Watch out for the Patriots.
Alexa Magliacano was able to knock down a three pointer for the lead with one minute left on the clock in the first quarter. Magliacano, playing her fourth year on the varsity squad carried the team with 12 points. She has played a total of 46 games in her high school career, and has hit 33 three pointers. She scored 26 of those in 2018-19 alone. She’s really brought her A-game this year.
Caitlyn Hroncich was able to get off on a hot start in the second quarter, even hitting her first 3 pointer of the night. Another varsity veteran closing out her season. Hroncich scored a total of 170 points in her last season. Nevertheless, Caitlyn was a bandit in her years on the team, collecting over 34 steals in her high school career. Her sticky fingers and quick reflexes landed her two very important steals in the third quarter, putting the Patriots ahead of New Brunswick. She was able to dominate in the third quarter and the only thing that brought her to a stop was an ankle injury.
Senior night problems.
Coach Mentzel had a tough decision to make for this years senior night. A well versed basketball player or fan knows that only 5 players can start the game. Therefore, it’s custom to have the seniors start on senior night. The problem was there were 6 senior and only 5 spots. Mentzel had to sit one of the seniors for the first half. No coach wants to make that decision, especially on the night these girls have been looking forward to all season. Fortunately for Coach Mentzel he didn’t have to make that call.
Casey Mulrooney a 4 year varsity soccer , basketball, and softball player stepped up to the plate. A well rounded student-athlete had her first senior night for soccer. She also has another upcoming senior night for softball in the spring. Humble, she stood up in the team room and offered her spot to other seniors who didn’t have another chance at a senior night. Coach Mentzel’s heart grew at this moment, he was so shocked in a good way. According to some of the Colonia Middle school teachers he was bragging about Casey all day before the game. He was so proud.
The Zebras’ are coming.
The Zebra’s started off their season in a downhill spiral. With their 2018-2019 campaign ranking 9th in the divisional roaster. The were coming off a long loosing streak. They were looking for blood a little motivation to bring them out of this hole. Senior Nakima Lue was on a roll scoring 22 points against the Patriots. She accumulated 45 free throws in one season alone. Things are looking up for her and her team. Along with senior Lynne Dominguez who also scored 6 points against Colonia. She was about to end the third quarter putting the Zebras ahead of the Patriots. But Amaya Martinez countered and scored a free throw putting Colonia on top.
The fourth quarter was truly a battle for the lead. The score board would jump in favor of both teams. As time was counting down in the last 4 minutes of the fourth quarter New Brunswick was in the lead by 3 points. Colonia hearts grew heavy but never lost faith that the girls would get the job done. Magiacano a strong player took one for the team and took a charge against freshman Ismel Martinez. She made two free throws which pushed Colonia head by two 51-49. With only two minutes left to solidify the girls senior night Lue scored 2 incredible 3 pointer which gave the Zebras the win.
