Wednesday, June 30, 2021
The Observer | www.theobserver.com
Sports & Recreation WITH
Jim Hague ogsmar@aol.com
Kearny’s Osorio reflects on crazy college year at Moravian Needless to say, it wasn’t the most conventional college freshman year for Kearny native Samantha Osorio at Moravian College in Pennsylvania. Osorio, the 2019-2020 Observer Female Athlete of the Year out of Kearny High School, had to endure the pandemic-stricken school year at Moravian, one that resulted in just 10 games played. “The adjustment to college life was difficult, especially because of the pandemic,” said Osorio, one of the best all-around players to ever come out of Kearny High. “I couldn’t see friends. I couldn’t go out. I was totally quarantined. I got tested three times a week. So all of that did take some getting used to. I was able to go to some classes.” But 10 games doesn’t exactly make a season. It’s more like an extended scrimmage period. “It was really difficult,” Osorio said. “In the beginning, I had no clue what I was doing. I had to be up for the challenge.” As it turned out, Osorio was definitely ready for the challenge, averaging almost 10 points per game and 7.5 rebounds per outing. She recorded career-highs with 19 points and 11 rebounds, ironically at Drew, a school that was recruiting Osorio
out of high school. Osorio shot an outstanding 52 percent from the floor. Twice, Osorio was named the Landmark Conference Rookie of the Week. Although Osorio is able to retain her status as a freshman at Moravian, it’s doubtful that she will be eligible to receive any rookie awards this season because she played 10 games. But Osorio still has four years of basketball at Moravian, a place where Osorio is comfortable and loves playing basketball and going to school. “I really enjoyed the year,” Osorio said. “I couldn’t miss out on the year. I didn’t hesitate or second guess myself. I wasn’t going to allow the pandemic to just stand in my way. I was able to stay on top of everything.” Osorio admitted that she was indeed a little nervous before her first game against Lancaster Bible College. “The first game, I had no idea who was going to start,” Osorio said. “But then, I saw my name on this tape with the starting five’s name on it. I could almost cry. I had no clue whatsoever about starting.” Once the game started, Osorio showed no nervous jitters, scoring 14 points in See VIEW, Page 11
9
Lyndhurst’s Martin presented with Observer Female Athlete of Year
Becomes fourth Golden Bear girl to receive honor
Photo courtesy of Jim Hague
Carley Martin (center left) receives the 2020-2021 Observer Female Athlete of the Year award from Observer sportswriter Jim Hague. From left are Lyndhurst athletic director Jeff Radigan; Lyndhurst High School principal Laura Vuono; Michelle and Chuck Martin, Carley’s parents; Hague, Carley Martin, head softball coach Sara Fusco, head girls’ basketball coach Perrin Mosca, assistant superintendent of schools Joseph DeCorso and vice principal Frank Venezia.
By Jim Hague ogsmar@aol.com
LYNDHURST – There was always a connection between Carley Martin and Camila Alonso, going back to the days when Martin was just becoming a teenager and Alonso was breaking all kinds of scoring records at Lyndhurst High School. You see, Martin’s father, Chuck, the former boys’ basketball coach at Lyndhurst, used to run a basketball camp that Alonso regularly attended. That was all that young Carley needed as an inspiration to attend her father’s camp. You see, young Carley used to look up to Alonso back then some eight years ago. “Camila was my absolute idol growing up,” Martin said in an interview last March. “I remember her teaching me how to do drop steps and up-and-unders. I wanted to do whatever she did. I was absolutely obsessed with her. I wanted her fame and I
wanted her glory.” There was another aspect to Alonso’s game that intrigued Martin. Alonso was the last Lyndhurst girl to reach the prestigious 1,000-point plateau. That is, before Martin achieved the goal that she wanted to have since third grade. Four years ago, when Martin was still in grade school, she was approached by some of the local private high schools to see if Carley would attend there. No chance. “I wanted to play where my father once coached,” Martin said. “I remember going to practices with him when I was a little girl. I was the one who had the ball in my hands all the time. I always said that I wanted to be in Lyndhurst.” Martin wanted to do what her idol did in high school. Last week, Martin added another item in her attempts to be like Camila Alonso. Martin picked up The Observer Female Athlete of the Year award, becoming only the fourth Lyndhurst High product to receive the
year-end honor, and Martin became the first basketball player to receive the honor since Alonso received it in 2013. The other Golden Bears to receive the year-end honor from The Observer are Cassie Indri in 2008-2009 and Giulia Pezzolla, who won the award in 2018-2019. Martin, who was also a fine softball player to go along with her historic basketball skills, received her award last week from this sports writer with her parents, coaches and school officials present. “This means everything to me,” Martin said. “It’s the best news I’ve received all year. To get recognized this way it’s amazing. I honestly didn’t think I had a chance. I had no idea what the criteria was and should I be in the running.” The Observer’s Athlete of the Year (the male honoree will be featured next week) is given to the female and male athletes who perform their best in more than one varsity sport and conduct themselves See MARTIN, Page 10
