Bergen Tech beats Clifton for key win by Sean Farrell of The Record
CLIFTON – Andrew Yoon is used to shooting last.
The captains at Bergen Tech always take the final shots at practice.
So when the Knights’ 6-foot-1 star stepped to the line with 4.4 seconds left and the game up for grabs, he felt at ease. The noisy Clifton fans to his right rumbled the wooden bleachers and started to boo with the hope of knocking Yoon off his game.
But this was just like any other day for the junior.
“I just ignore them,” Yoon said. “And focus on my free throws.”
A program that’s been accustomed to losing picked up another important victory. Yoon knocked down both ends of a 1-and-1 to quiet the crowd and end any chance of late drama. It closed out Bergen Tech’s 42-38 comeback victory over No. 18 Clifton on Tuesday to continue one of the most remarkable turnarounds in North Jersey.
The Knights went 3-19 a year ago, and start a pair of sophomores and juniors this season.
But they are now 4-2 under first-year coach Michael Mongelli and are only getting better.
“We appreciate every win,” Mongelli said. “We’re coming from a big academic school where the focus isn’t on sports. This is a change. The guys have worked this year. They want to win. It’s different.”
Since coming to Bergen Tech, Mongelli has tried to build a culture around defense. It’s what he focuses on every day and what he prioritizes at every practice, even if other drills have to be skipped.
“It’s hard to keep teenage kids engaged on the defensive end,” Mongelli said. “Believe me. But I have great kids who want to play both ends and want to win.”
The Knights are already starting to see the rewards for that commitment.
Clifton (3-3) had a chance to re-take the lead with about 10 seconds left, but Yoon stepped in the lane to block a shot and save the day.
“I watched him in the fall just work and work, want to be better and want to do the little things,” Mongelli said. “He does that, and he motivates the rest of the guys. He pushes us every day in practice. He brings 100 percent and we appreciate that. That’s what I look for in a captain.”
The Knights clawed back all afternoon after going down 14-5 after the first quarter. Clifton guard Brandon Sanchez converted a pair of 3-pointers before many of the home fans were seated.
But Bergen Tech’s sophomore duo of Marc Martinez and Brian Ibeabuchi slowly chipped away at the lead. They have a coach who trusts them to take open shots and teammates willing to give them the ball in key situations. They took advantage with their veteran leaders drawing most of Clifton’s attention.
“We’re lucky,” Mongelli said. “We have four or five guys on the court who can put the ball in the basket. It’s a nice luxury to have.”
Ibeabuchi chipped in seven points including a go-ahead basket late in the fourth quarter. Martinez poured in 20 points, and his layup with about 30 seconds left turned out to be the game-winning bucket.
“We’re more dedicated this year,” Martinez said. “And we’re playing together.”
A young team hungry for wins somehow escaped with another one.
“We knew nothing was going to be easy,” Yoon said. “We knew we were going to have to fight for every win. That’s just what we’re doing right now.”