June 2, 2021
By Gianna Alberti, Alexa Borino and Alex Shapiro
Editor, Managing Editor and Editor-in-Chief
Having gone without a 2020 spring sports season due to Covid-19, LHS’ athletes are excited to be back practicing with their teammates and facing off against other schools.
Athletic Director Mr. Radigan said LHS’ athletes trained throughout the year and put their best effort into their sport.
“I think the No. 1 thing that makes our teams stand out from other schools is the amount of pride our student athletes show,” Radigan said.
He said he expects some of the spring sports teams to have success not only in the league but also at the state level.
“It’s great to just watch the kids do their best and represent the school and town the way they do after not having a season last year,” Radigan said.
Baseball
The baseball team’s record is 9-9. The young team is looking to overcome a tough start to the season.
Senior captain Nick Morelli said he tries to ensure everyone has a positive attitude during their games.
PHOTO BY LORS PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Nick Morelli prepares to pitch at a home game against Hasbrouck Heights High School on May 8.
“We need to improve our body language. We need to keep our heads high no matter what the score is,” Morelli said.
He said from a mental perspective, baseball is one of the hardest games in the world because a hitter can go four for four one day and the next day go zero for four.
“I have learned to control the controllables, and what we cannot control is not in our power. You must forget the last at bat or play in the past,” Morelli said.
Boys (junior varsity) lacrosse
The boys lacrosse team finished its inaugural season on May 24 with a record of 2-8. Despite enduring losses, junior Ryan Pando said the team maintained a positive mindset.
Pando said his goal was to help create an environment where the players treat each other like family.
“We [held] ourselves accountable for mistakes made in practice or games to make each other better,” Pando said.
PHOTO BY MVPSHOTS.COM Junior Trystan Guzman, junior Ryan Pando and freshman Rob Thomson defends the goal at an away game against Bergen County Technical High School in Teterboro. This game marked the junior varsity lacrosse team’s first-ever win.
He said lacrosse has taught him the meaning of collaboration.
“Lacrosse is a team sport. We win and lose as a team. One mistake does not determine the outcome of the game. There are multiple times when we succeed but also fail,” Pando said.
Softball
With an 11-game winning streak that ran from April 17 to May 17, the softball team is on track to have a standout season. The team’s record is 15-6, with wins against schools within its division as well as out-of-league opponents.
Junior Stephanie Mizeski said some of her favorite team performances were against Cedar Grove High School and Columbia High School located in Maplewood. The team beat Cedar Grove away 7-2 on May 1 and beat Columbia home 4-3 on May 8.
“This is the closest our team has ever been since I’ve been playing softball, and we can trust that we have each other’s backs on and off the field.”
“In both games, we came around and had some rallies that brought in important runs across the plate to help us win. Columbia is a very good team, and the fact that we were able to come out of there with a win was huge,” Mizeski said. “It was especially memorable since it ended with a walk-off double by our pitcher [junior] Ella Tozduman.”
In each of these games, Mizeski brought in an RBI.
Columbia had a 2-0 lead in the second inning before the Lady Bears tied it 2-2 in the fourth inning. Columbia took a 3-2 lead at the top of the seventh inning, but LHS scored twice in the bottom half to win it.
Another season highlight was when Tozduman pitched a perfect game against Secaucus High School with 17 strike-outs and walking none at a home game on May 4.
PHOTO BY LORS PHOTOGRAPHY Junior Stephanie Mizeski catches the ball at a home game against Leonia High School on May 6.
The team pulled off an 8-0 win in which junior Jaylene Rivera hit two home runs with a total of three RBIs, senior Gianna Alberti hit two triples and an RBI and senior Alexa Borino had two runs and an RBI.
Mizeski said the girls’ bond has been the key to their success so far this season.
“This is the closest our team has ever been since I’ve been playing softball, and we can trust that we have each other’s backs on and off the field,” Mizeski said.
Boys track and field
The boys track track and field team has been off to a great start, having earned the title of league champions.
The runners and throwers are hoping their wins so far this season will give them the confidence they need to triumph at the state tournament and beyond.
PHOTO BY LORS PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Andrew Fernandez throws the shot put at a home dual meet against Dwight-Englewood School on May 4.
Senior thrower Andrew Fernandez said he is relishing the small amount of time he has left as an LHS student athlete. He said he feels a sense of responsibility as an upperclassman to be a role model and help shape the future of the track and field program.
“I like to motivate my teammates so they can improve their marks and become better. Once I leave, I know they are the ones who will continue our legacy and pass it on,” Fernandez said.
Covid-19 has changed the team dynamic this year, but Fernandez said he and the rest of his teammates are making the best of it.
“This season we do not have as many people, so we really get to see who can step up and be the next person to get the job done,” Fernandez said. “It has brought the best out of people and has made them want it even more.”
Girls track and field
Like the boys track and field team, the girls track and field team also won the league championship.
Senior runner Maggie Fodera said the smaller size of the team and the uncertainty regarding the pandemic has made this season especially difficult.
“It’s challenging to stay motivated this season because of the pandemic. It’s so easy to just make up excuses, but everyone must continue to work hard,” Fodera said.
PHOTO BY LORS PHOTOGRAPHY Senior Maggie Fodera strides through the hurdles at a home dual meet against Dwight-Englewood School on May 4.
She said she is excited to finish her senior season strong. Even though she will be running on Bryant University’s track team next year, she said she intends to approach every remaining race like it is her last.
“I love being competitive,” Fodera said. “It’s so satisfying after you finish a race and you know you gave it your all.”
Boys volleyball
The boys volleyball team finished its season with a 3-12 record on May 25.
Junior Lloyd Masika, who joined the team this year, said teamwork is crucial in volleyball.
“Everyone has responsibilities during the games. Some pass, hit or block, but in order to win, we need to have respect for ourselves, teammates and coaches,” Masika said.
PHOTO BY LORS PHOTOGRAPHY Junior Lloyd Masika prepares to bump the ball at a volleyball game at home against Millburn High School on May 4.
He said even though it is his first year playing volleyball, he enjoys the sport.
“Because I am a middle, I get the opportunity to block, so watching the other team jump up to get a kill only to be faced with the ball coming back down on their side is super satisfying,” said Masika.
