Sports

The Livingston High School ice hockey team began this season coming off the most successful year in the team’s history. The 2022 Lancers finished 22-4-3. They were Mclnnis Conference champions; the state champion runners up in the Public A division; posted 11 shut-outs; and played 15 games against the state’s top 20 teams. The Lancers finished the season ranked 15th in the state and first overall in the NJYHLL (New Jersey Youth Hockey League) rankings.

The Lancers commenced the 2023 season going 4-2-1 in their first seven games. The Lancers defeated Verona-Glen Ridge, Governor Livingston, Passaic County Tech, and MiddletownNorth, and tied Glen Rock. They lost to Summit and West Essex.

The team is led by senior captain Dylan Schultz, co-captain Brett Conklin, and junior co-captain Ryan Zales. Senior goalie Justinas Sanders, along with defensemen Alex Selvin and Reed Plotnick, have provided strong defense thus far.

Livingston High School hosted Ridge, Morris Knolls, and Monroe in the four-team, all level Whitey Dukiet Classic boys’ basketball tournament.

The annual tournament is named for Livingston basketball player and coach Bob “Whitey” Dukiet. In 1966, as a senior at LHS, he was named to the New Jersey All State basketball team and was elected to the 1966 Parade Magazine All-American high school basketball team. After sustaining a career-ending injury at Boston College, Dukiet went on to coach men’s basketball at Montclair State College, Dartmouth University, Princeton University, St. Peter’s College, and Gannon University. Dukiet also held summer basketball camps throughout his coaching career for the youth in the North Jersey area.

The Dukiet Classic varsity games were played on Tuesday and Thursday, December 27 and 29. The varsity squad defeated Monroe, 34-32 in the semi-final round, but was defeated by Ridge in the championship game.

The Livingston High School boys’ and girls’ track and field teams competed at the Coach Glynn Holiday Carnival at Ocean Breeze Athletic Complex in Staten Island on December 28, 2022. Forty-two schools were represented, with hundreds of competitors in each event on the track and in the field. The building was packed and everyone was looking forward to finishing 2022 with great performances.

Leading the way for the boys’ team was junior co-captain Luke Petryna with an outstanding day on the track. Petryna broke the school record in the 200 meter with a time of 22.65, which earned him the gold medal and the third fastest time in the state so far this season. He also placed third in the 55 meter dash and anchored a second place finish for the 4x200 meter relay (1:33.81, NJ#6) with Brandon Dong, Chase Wade and Chase Kaufman.

The Livingston fifth grade boys’ travel basketball team is off to a 3-0 start in the Suburban Essex Basketball League.

In the opening game, Livingston defeated, Millburn, 40-39. Leading the way were Blake Simon, who scored 14 points; Bryce Cullen, who added eight points; and Madden Mandelbaum and Ryan Traub, chipping in with seven points each. Solid rebounding and defense were provided by Matthew Gillock and Ryan Rosenberg.

Next, Livingston defeated West Orange, 50-19. Shane Manoff led Livingston with 12 points, while Simon added eight points and Traub chipped in seven. Defense and rebounding contributions were made by Brady Resnick, Jacob Epstein, and Trevor Adelman.

Livingston then went on to defeat Montclair by a score of 47-31. Simon scored 23 points; Manoff added ten points; and Bryce Cullen chipped in with six points. Jonah Cohen and Dylan Weaver provided a spark with their defense and passing.

JV LADY LANCERS WIN: The Livingston High School junior varsity girls’ basketball team defeated Nutley, 42-14, at home in the LHS Fitness and Wellness Center on Tuesday, December 20. Shown above, left, Lancer forward Jordan Spitz scores on a sideline jump shot. Above, right, Lancer center Melanie Yaari scores against the Raider defense. At right, Lancer Alexa Kay elevates to score. Don Schwartz Photos

FRESHMAN LANCERS DEFEAT WEST ORANGE: The Livingston High School freshman boys’ basketball team defeated West Orange, 45-36, on Saturday, December 17, in the LHS Fitness and Wellness Center. Shown here, Lancer guard Jack Steinberg, #24, hits on a jumper from the corner against the Mountaineers

VARSITY LADY LANCERS FALL: The Livingston High School varsity girls’ basketball team fell to Nutley, 21-14, on Tuesday, December 20, at home. On Thursday, December 22, the Lancers were also defeated by Central, 54-16. Shown during the Nutley game, above, left, Lancer guard Avery Reiman scores on a scoop shot against the Raiders. Above, right, Lancer Mia Viola, #20, sets and gets off a scoring shot. At left, Lancer forward Sophia Levitt drives to the basket.

School girls’ and boys’ swim teams won their first two matches of the season. The girls defeated West Orange, 71-23, on Tuesday, December 13, and Millburn, 61-33, on Thursday, December 15. The boys defeated West Orange, 81-13, on Tuesday, December 13, and Millburn, 62-32, on Thursday, December 15. All swim meets were held at the West Essex YMCA in Livingston. Shown above, left, Lancer Justin Xie powers through the water during a backstroke event. Above, right, Lancer Katherine Hall glides through the lane 3 water during a freestyle event.

The Lancers hosted St. Peter’s to a victory on Thursday, December 15, in the LHS auxiliary gym. Shown here, Lancer Ben Sun, left, attacks Max Huang of St. Peter’s. Huang defeated Sun, 5-2, in the sabre match, and the Lancers defeated St. Peter’s, 15-12.

TWO WINS FOR HOCKEY TEAM: The Livingston High School ice hockey team defeated Verona-Glen Ridge, 4-1, on Friday evening, December 9, at the Codey Arena. The next evening, the Lancers defeated Governor Livingston, 2 -1, also at the Codey Arena. The Lancer record now stands at 2-0. Shown above in the Governor Livingston game, Lancer center Dillon Schultz wins the face-off. At right, Lancer wing Zach Silva prepares to shoot on goal. Don Schwartz Photos