After leading Hudson Catholic to its first-ever Hudson County Tournament championship in May, Shawn Stacevicz has moved on to a different challenge, albeit one that’s not too far away up along Kennedy Boulevard.
Stacevicz has been named the new head softball coach at North Bergen, replacing the legendary Tom Eagleson, who retired after 33 years and Hudson County-record 634 victories at the end of the 2017 season.
The change of Stacevicz from Hudson Catholic to North Bergen happened rather quickly.
“I heard that Coach Eagleson had retired and the job opened up,” said Stacevicz, who was the 2017 named Hudson Reporter Softball Coach of the Year in June. “I just called and said that I was interested in the job. I thought to myself that it was a good job in a public school with a feeder program. You know who’s coming up and who you can work with.
Added Stacevicz, “Coach Eagleson was there for more than 30 years, so there had to be some talent there. The feeder program really intrigued me about the job.”
Stacevicz said that he was shocked with the response when he inquired about the Bruins’ job.
“They couldn’t believe I would be interested,” Stacevicz said. “I wanted to know the parameters. I wanted to know about the feeder program. I wanted to be involved with the younger kids. It’s a Group IV school and town. It’s a big place.”
Stacevicz was interested in knowing about the highly successful North Bergen girls’ softball program, under the watchful eye of John Solan, whose daughter Tara was a North Bergen High School pitching giant before moving on to Dowling College and later Ramapo.
“When I sat down with the people in North Bergen, I told them that this is what I wanted to do,” Stacevicz said. “They were all for it. I knew that it could be a very good fit for me.”
Stacevicz was asked about leaving Hudson Catholic after only two seasons.
“It was very tough for me to leave, especially after winning last year,” Stacevicz said. “We had a great run last season. But this just opened up and sort of just fell into my lap. It’s a good opportunity for me. I don’t have to try to go out and get kids. The kids sort of get interested when they’re younger and move right into the junior varsity and varsity.”
Stacevicz said that he is obviously familiar with the North Bergen program.
“I know some of the kids,” Stacevicz said. “Lauren Cabrera is a solid pitcher and it will be great to work with her. Angelique Rivera had a monster year last year and she’s back. Ariana Diaz has been cleared to play after blowing her knee out, so she’s back. We have some talented kids coming back.”
Stacevicz knows one thing about inheriting the program.
“The team still has Coach Eagleson’s fingerprints all over it,” Stacevicz said. “It’s his team. Things are going to be a little different. Coach was a little more laid back. I’m a little more different than him. I’m intense. I’m all about accountability and what they need to do.”
Sounds as if there’s a new sheriff in North Bergen town.
And it was quite surprising that North Bergen went outside of the comfort zone for a new coach. Usually, the powers-that-be, headed by Mayor Nicholas Sacco, tend to hire from within, not bringing in an outsider. So considering the timing and the fact that Stacevicz had no prior ties to North Bergen, it made the move a little shocking to say the least…
As for Hudson Catholic, there is no news about a new softball coach…
However, there is news to report on the Hudson Catholic boys’ basketball front. Jahvon Quinerly, the sensational Hawks’ superstar who was New Jersey’s top player a year ago, as well as The Hudson Reporter Most Valuable Player, announced his intentions on national television Tuesday night that he will attend the University of Arizona next fall.
Quinerly, busy playing AAU basketball all over the country these days, made the announcement on ESPNU Tuesday. He narrowed down his choices to Arizona and Villanova and chose Arizona.
Wherever Quinerly was headed, he was going to make a major impact on that program, because simply put, Quinerly has a chance this season to become the best player to ever grace the hardwood in Hudson County history.
With the rich and storied hoops history in Hudson County, that statement is saying a lot. But it’s true. Quinerly is the real deal.
Quinerly is also a real nice kid. Just recently, I learned about Quinerly going above and beyond the call in being nice to a local kid, who approached Quinerly at a camp and told him how much he liked the way he played.
Quinerly was so touched that he took the shirt off his back and gave it to the 8-year-old fan. That youngster has yet to take the shirt off since Quinerly gave it to him. It says a lot about the young man’s character. Mark my words. Quinerly will play in the NBA some day. I’ve said it many times and I’ll keep repeating myself until the typing fingers become little nubs. He’s a pro player if I’ve ever saw one. And he’s going to be an absolute joy to watch this upcoming season for the Hawks…
Speaking of the Hawks, they have advanced to the championship game of the Jersey City Recreation High School Summer League where they will face the surprising Lions of Lincoln.
Lincoln defeated Union and Hudson Catholic defeated the Patrick School in the league semifinals last Tuesday night.
It says a lot about the summer Lincoln has enjoyed when it’s said that the Lions are playing for the prestigious league championship. Kudos to head coach Bill Zasowski and his hard-working group. We will have more about the summer league finals next week…–Jim Hague.
Jim Hague can be reached at OGSMAR@aol.com.
