In an exciting showdown for the Caldwell/West Caldwell Rec basketball championship, the Re-Vamped Kings came out as winners over a great Millerfight team in a game packed with intensity and unforgettable moments. Led by coach Joe Gianetta, the Vamps showed both their resilience and skill battling against a first year Millerfight team led by coaches Santiago Garces, Chris DePrenda, and freshman Nick Matanin. Both teams left it all on the court, but in the final moments, Millerfight fell just short, keeping Re-Vamped’s status as the champions of the league.

The Millerfight Team

Millerfight entered the league as an underdog, a newly formed team created this year by senior Ben Lattimer (previous Re-Vamped Kings player)  with a unique approach. Instead of sticking to a traditional one grade  lineup, Lattimer built a diverse roster, bringing together players from different grades at JCHS and even seeking out players from other schools. The team featured seniors Dom Gaffney, Ben Lattimer, Aidan Hartney, and Seton Hall Prep’s Michael Bravette, alongside juniors Nick Moyano and Teagan McOmish, as well as sophomore transfer Jake Matanin. With Josh Miranda rounding out the squad, Millerfight faced its ups and downs throughout the season. Many doubted their ability to make a deep run but they silenced critics with their relentless energy and determination, living up to their name by proving themselves as a true championship caliber team. Gaffney said, “We knew coming into this that we were a brand new team, but we believed in each other. No matter what people thought, we kept fighting, and making it to the championship showed how good we really were. Millerfight forever!”

The Re-Vamped Kings

The Re-Vamped Kings have been a staple of the Rec league for the past four years, originally founded by senior Cole Bazerman. Over time, the team has been transformed and reinvented  into a powerhouse, as reflected in their name. As freshmen, they were known as the “King Vamps,” a tribute to rapper Playboi Carti, but some essential free agent signings and a revamped coaching and management structure have taken the team to a whole different level. Bazerman now co-manages the team alongside senior Nick Kyriacou, maintaining a more traditional approach by assembling an all-senior roster for universal chemistry on and off the court. This year’s squad featured Bazerman, Kyriacou, Will Trafford, Skyler Brown, Ryan Felton, Sean Murtaugh, Chris Irwin, and Justin Rodriguez. Having won the championship last season with a nearly identical roster, the Kings entered this year topping the power ranking and were favorites to win it all. This clearly shows they were able to live up to their own standards and the viewers expectations.

The Game

The championship game was a hard fought battle from start to finish with both teams leaving everything on the court. In the end, the Re-Vamped Kings secured the title with a 37-32 win over a talented Millerfight team. Will Trafford led the Vamps with nine points, while Cole Bazerman added eight to the scoreboard. Sean Murtaugh proved to be a sharpshooter, scoring down two crucial late game threes that helped seal the win. The Vamps showed their chemistry with a well balanced scoring sheet across the roster. On the other side, Millerfight refused to go down without a fight, with Teagan emerging as the force that kept them within a close final score. Despite the resilience, Millerfight fell just short, and the Vamps came out as back-to-back champions. To add more to the very talented team, Cole Bazerman was later crowned with most points scored throughout the season and career in the league after the final game.

The Re-Vamped Kings proved why they were the team to beat, keeping their legacy as back-to-back championships (the first time in Rec-Basketball History).  Despite being a newly formed team Millerfight exceeded expectations and fought until the very end showing that they belonged in that championship game. Both teams put on an exciting performance, showing the competitive spirit of the Caldwell/West Caldwell rec league. As another season comes to a close, the Vamps celebrate their victory, while Millerfight announces they will no longer be a team with all seniors getting ready for college. Congratulations to both teams for providing fans with a season to remember.