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After Stumble, Patriot Boys Go on Hot Streak

January 17, 2024

**Christian Otufale shoots from the cheap seats. Photo by Joe Phalon.**

Working the game plan has been the key for the Patriot boys’ basketball team as they take a four-game winning streak into their next game at Morris Tech January 18.

Taking four out of five since their last home game against High Point January 3—a 63-46 loss—the Pats form increasingly disciplined play by team leaders such as Christian Otufale, who has consistently scored double digits in recent games.

But in the loss to High Point, Otulafe was held to just seven points in a game head coach Rob Steingall would prefer to keep in the past.

“We didn’t stick to our game plan,” Steingall said. “We like to fight from behind and we usually do but we didn’t today.”

Steingall pointed to several costly fouls, including a mid-court foul in the fourth quarter as examples of what the Patriots would need to overcome.

“It’s tough when you’re in a 10- or 12-point game when a guy gets fouled in mid-court, and you know it swings the game so,” Steingall said.

Lucas Csezmadia led the Pats against High Point with 12 points with Luke Stefankiewicz following with 10 including seven free throws and a three-pointer.

North Warren lost to Boonton 46-39 on January 6, but followed that game with three wins in a row, 59-46 over Kittatinny January 10, 50-40 against Hopatcong January 11, and a 48-40 win over Passaic Charter January 13.

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.