Wednesday, May 4, 2011
A girl who has played four sports during her high school career is known just as much for her schoolwork.
The competitive drive has been described by a number of our Fort Lee Patch Whiz Kids this year, but high school student athlete Megan Gimson may be taking that notion to a new level. The junior, who plays three sports during the school year, can often be seen with books in her hands, and then moments later can be playing either volleyball, basketball or softball for the Lady Bridgemen. “Ever since I was younger, I always wanted to do well. I have to do well,” Gimson said confidently of her schoolwork. “It’s just instilled in my brain…it is like messing up in a game, if you could have done better. You just want to do your best and whatever I do, I always try to do my best.” Megan is often seen working on both school and sports just moments …
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Freshman pitcher Amanda Maldonado pitches a two-hit shutout as offense explodes yet again.
For years, Fort Lee and Westwood have played each other in softball, and recently the result has been a recurring theme of Lady Cardinal victories. But that was not the case Monday afternoon, when the Fort Lee Lady Bridgemen defeated Westwood, exacted some “revenge” and won 14-0 in a mercy rule shortened game. “It was attitude,” said Fort Lee head coach Bob Aughey. “We had an attitude when we came out to hit today, and [the girls] were very positive. I think it carried over into the game but everything was working.” Westwood pushed for an early run in the top of the first inning following an error and a base hit, but freshman pitcher Amanda Maldonado recovered with back-to-back strikeouts to prevent the threat. “It [was] definitely a …
Saturday, April 23, 2011
The senior becomes our first student athlete to receive the award in two separate sports.
Brianna Mattessich is a senior on the Fort Lee softball team and has been the starting third baseman for the Lady Bridgemen since her sophomore season. Last year, her play earned her a spot on the BCSL Honorable Mention team, but Brianna’s play to this point in 2011 may be rewarded with even more distinctions this time around. Mattessich is hitting .498 for Fort Lee and batting even higher in league play. “There has to be some girl that you don’t want to have beat you [with a big hit],” said Fort Lee softball coach Bob Aughey. “For Fort Lee right now at this point in the season, I think the girl that you would put on the top of your scouting list would be Brianna Mattessich.” Brianna had the lone hit for the team, a double in a 5-1 loss …
Friday, April 22, 2011
Fort Lee’s softball coach Bob Aughey seems to dispense one memorable line after another--just ask his players.
Boulderdash! Ricochet Rabbit! Where’s the ammo? It’s fair to say most people wouldn't hear or use these phrases on a daily basis, but they are all in the vernacular of Fort Lee softball coach Bob Aughey. The seven-year leader of the Lady Bridgemen is full of unique phrases: Coach Aughey tried to explain the “method to his madness” this week on a coaching style unlike any other. “It is more to lighten the mood and get the girls to laugh a little,” the softball coach said. “We try to work hard and within that framework of working hard, I think you need to have some levity and you have to have a good time.” The sayings pop up routinely during practice, pausing the drills for just a moment to react and then resume again. “With those sayings …
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Lady Bridgemen won by mercy rule in the fifth inning.
The Lodi and Fort Lee softball teams took to the field in less than ideal conditions for their game on Saturday. With a major rainstorm approaching and temperatures hovering in the low 40s, a majority of the student athletes bundled up in hoodies and sweatpants. But as it turned out they wouldn't have to play a full game, as the Lady Bridgemen shut out Lodi 10-0 in just five innings on Saturday. “The weather was pretty bad,” said senior Brianna Mattessich. “You can’t base it on the weather. You just have to go out there, play and be mentally prepared.” After the Lady Bridgemen and Rams played to a scoreless tie through the first inning and a half, Fort Lee came to the plate in the bottom of the second looking to take the lead. The home …
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Several players lost to graduation and the arrival of newcomers highlight season of change for the Lady Bridgemen.
After a rainout on Friday, when they were scheduled to play at Bergenfield, the Fort Lee softball team is expected to play their season opening game Saturday morning at home against Ridgefield. The team may look a bit different to fans from a year ago as Fort Lee graduated seven players, leaving five starting spots open for newcomers. One of the most notable losses is the departure of award-winning outfielder Amanda Alvarez. “I think the graduation of an all-county player at a school like Fort Lee is obviously a big loss,” head coach Bob Aughey said of Alvarez. “She provided not only the outstanding play but she led by example.” First baseman Jessica Stigliano has also moved on, as has pitcher Jaclyn Abrams, who pitched every inning of …
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Senior day the main story from last week as both teams now look to playoffs this week
From basketball to wrestling, and indoor track to bowling, here is the latest news in Fort Lee sports:
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Seniors step aside for others on one of the biggest days in their high school careers.
The Athlete of the Week Award typically goes to someone who scores a lot of points, finishes first in a race or leads their team to an impressive victory. But this week, the honor goes to two basketball players who made a contribution off the floor. On Thursday, the Fort Lee Lady Bridgemen held their senior day ceremonies where players in their final year compete in the last home game of their high school careers. Most coaches will play all the seniors they can as a nod of appreciation, but some teams run into a problem of they have too many seniors and too few starting slots. This was the problem that plagued head coach Stacie Zafiris and the Lady Bridgemen. With six seniors on the team and only five players allowed to start, it …
Friday, February 25, 2011
Decorated gyms and heart-felt speeches highlight the last home game for senior athletes.
In a fast paced world, it is sometimes difficult to stop and reflect on how you reached this point in life. Well, the Fort Lee basketball teams did just that this week, as they paused from their normal routine to honor their graduating student athletes. The festivities started on Wednesday night as the Bridgemen hosted Dwight Morrow. Prior to the game, Fort Lee head coach John Ziemba called the team managers, graduating cheerleaders and senior players on to the court with their families. Ziemba talked about everyone’s contribution to the team and went in depth about his two seniors. Forward Ryan Ford had what coach Ziemba called “a disappointing year” as the senior was academically ineligible for most of the season. Ford returned to score …
Sunday, February 20, 2011
A cancer research benefit basketball game and nail-biting finishes highlighted the week that was in Fort Lee Sports.
From basketball to wrestling, and indoor track to bowling, here is the latest news in Fort Lee sports:
Anna
8:57 am on Thursday, May 5, 2011
Wonderful to hear good things about kids at the high school! more ›