By Greg Mattura – staff writer Record Sports Department
Bogota may have registered the most significant opening-night victory in North Jersey boys’ basketball.
The Bucs’ 53-46 win Friday came on the road against a Saddle River Day team capable of repeating as NJIC Patriot Division champion after last season going 16-0 in the division.
“Our kids were ecstatic after the game, because they are the defending champions and they do return a decent amount of people,” Bogota coach Jay Mahoney said Saturday.
Senior forward Tim Uzor scored 17, while senior guard Deiker Padrino, facing constant double-teams, scored 15 for the Bucs, who also played strong defense.
“I thought we played really good defense, and really hard,” said Mahoney, whose Bucs become the No. 1 challenger to Patriot favorite Cresskill. “To go up there and win on the road at Saddle River Day, it’s a terrific win.”
Eye openers (most of them career-highs)
Elmwood Park senior G Justin Lopez had 33 points, five rebounds and five assists in a 67-51 victory over Pompton Lakes. … St. Mary senior F Marc Dadika had 27 points and 18 rebounds in an 83-64 win over Becton. … Cresskill senior F Luka Radovich scored 28 in a 71-46 win over Palisades Park. … Hasbrouck Heights junior G Anthony Palmer hit five treys and scored 29 in a 73-39 win over Weehawken.
