Kainan Brings TV Crowd To Their Feet

FORMER TV TEAM MANAGER SCORES HIS FIRST POINTS    

                                          

  The story-lines had already been established in the boys varsity Livingston Manor-Tri-Valley basketball game last Wednesday night but with the insertion of former Bears team manager Kainan Justiniano into the final minutes of the fourth quarter Tri-Valley fans were looking for something special to happen.

  Kainan, a junior, had served as the team manager for the last two years and was successful this year in securing a playing spot on the team roster but has had minimal playing time and had never scored any points. 

  With the Bears in complete control of the game and winning by 68-43 Kainan's team mates made several attempts to get the ball to Justiniano but several of his shots met with no success.

  Then at the 1:49 mark a pass from Jarred James to an open Kainan got the results everyone was looking for as his three-point shot ripped through the net and Tri-Valley fans shouted their approval. 

  Tri-Valley coach Brian Tingley later remarked, "even with all of our wins and some of them buzzer beaters in that gym, I have never heard a gym louder than it was when Kainan hit his shot."

  Tri-Valley fans have high admiration for Kainan who is known to be a nice kid, well mannered and well liked.

   About a minute later in the game another James pass to Kainan found the junior forward open under the basket allowing him to score his first career five points.

   Following the end of the game fans raced onto the court with hugs and congratulations for Justiniano. 

   In a fast-paced first quarter Tri-Valley jumped out to an early lead as a result of its stifling and smothering defense which resulted in numerous Manor turnovers and a 21-12 Bears first quarter lead. 

  Bears Sam Tingley opened the second quarter of play with two driving layups which  helped Tri-Valley outscore the Wildcats 23-6 to take a 44-18 half time lead. 

  Tingley continued his scoring in the third quarter with two driving layups and a three pointer as Tri-Valley's scoring pace upped the Bears third quarter lead to 63-47.

  Coach Tingley praised his team's efforts saying, " we came out with big energy early and took a big lead and we were in good shape at half time."

  "The guys did well defensively and on the boards," Tingley added.

  The coach had high praise for point guard Jarred James who he mentioned, "did a good job getting Kainan  the ball in places where he could hit a shot."

 Jarred is credited with having double digit assists as well as locking down Manor's high scoring point guard Matt Janik who finished the night with six points. Additional praise from Tingley went to "Mike Post and Stephen Carleton who had good games on the boards when our big guys got in early foul trouble."

  Kainan's five points in the fourth quarter led the bears  who outscored the Wildcats 10-6. 

  Livingston Manor committed 25 turnovers to Tri-Valley's 18.

  Sam Tingley led the Bears in scoring 13 points, Thomas Mungeer added 10 in this non-league game. Tri-Valley is 5-2 overall, 0-2 in OCIAA league play

  Terrance Lockhart led Livingston Manor with 11 points. Evan Taggart added seven points for the Wildcats who now post a 3-4 record.

  Manor coach Charlie Hicks was not available for comments. 

                                                        

                                                                  

                                                                    

Former Tri-Valley varsity boys team manager Kainan Justiniano scores two of his five first career points in the Bears 73-43 win over Livingston Manor.