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Patriots Overcome 30-Second Curse to Beat Parsippany in Overtime

By Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer

January 2, 2024

NW_Boys_Par_01_hedshot (1) — Christian Otufale scored six points in overtime. Photo by Joe Phalon.

**Luke Stefankiewicz posted 10 points. Photo by Joe Phalon**.

With six overtime points, Christian Otufale led the North Warren Patriots to a 62-60 win over Parsippany December 22.

Down 31-23 at the half, the Patriots fought back to a tie at the buzzer.

“It was unbelievably exciting,” said head coach Rob Steingall. “These guys fought back here.”

Overall, Otufale scored 23 points with 30 rebounds.

Short of time displacement, the final 30 seconds of a basketball game are the longest 30 seconds in the known universe. That half-minute of hoops has dogged the Patriots through the first half of the season. They beat back that demon against Parsippany.

“We kind of gave them some chances to put us away but we kept fighting,” Steingall said. “And you know there was that three at the end of the end of the first half and you know we’ve been snake bit by that last 30 seconds of the whole season. We kind of gave them some chances to put us away but we kept fighting.”

After the game, Otufale said that his teammates moving the ball around in this game was the key to sustaining their momentum into the fourth quarter.

**Maximus Hambos added two points in the Pats’ strong second half. Photo by Joe Phalon.**

“Everyone was passing motion on the ball,” Otufale said. “I feel like we pulled it off, and I think if we all contribute, if we all work together, just put in that that 100%, we’re going to be all right.”

That team effort included Lucas Csezmadia’s 14 points and six rebounds and 11 points from Wilman Diogene. Luke Stefankiewicz added 10 points.

Joe Phalon, Contributing Writer

Contributing Writer

Joe brings decades of journalism experience to the Ridge View Echo, covering everything from local school boards to the U.S. Supreme Court. A former National Law Journal editor and Columbia Law School press officer, he now enjoys telling community stories in Blairstown, where he lives with his wife, Rose, and their two dachshunds.