West End Grill takes home league championship

Members of West End Grill & Bar celebrate after winning the Hammonton Basketball League championship last week. From left: Andrew Ordille, Andre Clements, Lahtel Haskins (captain), Taman Bryant, Gary Harris, Paul Ordille and Josh Troche. Not pictured: Munchie Kinlaw. The league’s seasn ended with last week’s championship series, where West End defeated Winslow Junction. The Hammonton Basketball League is the oldest, continuing-run league in the state of New Jersey. (Courtesy Photo)

The 2022 Men’s Basketball League season ended with West End Bar & Grill securing the championship in dominating fashion. West End, led by league MVP Taman Bryant and captain Lahtell Haskins, completed the 2-0 sweep of Winslow Junction with a 71-53 win.

Finals MVP Josh Troche led the scoring with 21 points while Bryant added 18. Troche’s improvement throughout the season was a key to West End's near perfect record of 9-1 . Andrew Ordille, Robert Kinlaw and Gary Harris also helped West End with timely scoring in the playoffs. Winslow used the hot shooting of Joe Umosella and Rick Qurindongo all season but fizzled in the final game as they struggled from 3-point range. Rookie of the Year Ian Brown led the scoring with 21 in the loss.

After a controversial buzzer beater loss in Game 1, where Taman Bryant banked in the winning shot as time expired, Winslow Junction could not regroup to tie the series in the second game.

The league would like to thank Mayor Stephen DiDonato and councilman Thomas Gribbin for their award presentations, the staff at Hammonton High School for their help in running a great gym, and is extremely grateful for its sponsors.