Play Of Seniors Sanchez, Canela, Verdecia Instrumental In Knocking Chiefs From Ranks Of Unbeaten
PISCATAWAY, NJ–If you recall, opening night last season when Perth Amboy defeated Piscataway in Amboy, we said that Panthers basketball was back. At that time, GMC Hoops didn’t realize that claim was a bit pre-mature. Perth Amboy would go on to lose eight of its next 10 games to slip to 3-9. However, the Panthers finished better by winning 8 of its last 15 games, and qualified for the North Jersey Section 2 Group IV State Tournament, where it lost to Linden in the first round.
Last night, again against Piscataway on the road, Amboy came up with a huge win. But this victory was much more significant in the rebuilding process of Amboy basketball. A program that has not had much to cheer about since winning the Central Jersey Group IV Championship over Bridgewater in 1993, defeated the top ranked, and previously undefeated Chiefs by the score of 72-60. While much has been talked about the talented sophomore class led by Hamilton Capellan and Jonathan Rodriguez, it was the seniors that led the way in this victory. Particularly, the efforts of Yoelbin Sanchez, Kearny Canela, and Victor Verdecia.
Sanchez, who struggled at times, particularly in the early part of last season, got a huge boost to his confidence and swagger with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds in the win over P-Way. The senior forward, who made seven field goals and three foul shots, also scored 11 points in the fourth quarter including a traditional three point play and an unconventional three point play on a one of two showing at the foul line followed by a layup after his teammates got the offensive rebound. Both were key plays in stemming the tide in the fourth after Piscataway rallied to close within single digits. Verdecia, who probably was the most consistent player on Perth Amboy last season, had two field goals, and went 8 of 10 at the free throw stripe including 7 of 8 from there in the final five minutes of the contest.
Then, there was Kearny Canela, the younger brother of former Cardinal McCarrick standout, Rolffi Canela. The younger Canela was the beneficiary of some great teamwork and passing with 13 points on six field goals including a three pointer. Other seniors such as Kent Encarnacion, who became eligible for the first time this season in last night’s game, and Wancel Arias, also contributed. Encarnacion had four field goals for 8 points while Arias added 6 points on three field goals. Perth Amboy outscored Piscataway in every quarter except the fourth.
Amboy had opened the year with a 59-46 loss to East Brunswick at home, but has since won six straight including victories over Colonia (53-40) and Piscataway on the road. Both the Patriots (ranked sixth) and Chiefs (ranked fourth) were ranked in the GMC Hoops Pre-Season Top Ten. Amboy was as well (ranked tenth). The Panthers, which has the most wins in the MCT/GMCT and Middlesex County Tournament and GMCT titles, has only had a Final Four berth in 1999 and Elite Eight GMCT berths in 1997 and 2003 as far as recent county/conference tournament success. Hopefully, this year’s edition of the Panthers will bring back some of the glory to a city rich in boys basketball tradition.