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Current News
Watch JSZ Sunday 5.19 Baseball Highlights
It’s a championship Sunday on the diamond. The Hun Raiders made it four straight NJ Prep “A” state championships and Old Bridge topped South Brunswick to claim the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament title. We’ve got highlights and post-game reaction from both championship games! Old Bridge 2 South Brunswick 1 – Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament Championship Old Bridge captured its first Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament Title since 2011 with a thrilling 2-1 victory over rival South Brunswick. The Knights fell behind 1-0 in the first off a balk, but quickly regrouped on offense to go ahead 2-1 on a fielder’s choice and error in the second inning. Senior Matt Baker who technically allowed the Viking’s only earned run had a different persona after shaking off the early blunder. Baker allowed just five hits and finished with six strikeouts. JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez has the highlights: Sponsor! Thank you to Princeton Orthopaedic Associates for sponsoring our South Brunswick coverage! Hun 12 Peddie 0 – NJ Prep “A” State Championship Jack Erback pitched 6 2/3 innings of 1-hit ball with 12 strikeouts and added a three run homer in the 6th inning to put the exclamation point on Hun’s fourth consecutive Prep state championship. Third baseman Andy Blake added a solo homer for the Raiders who finish the year with an impressive 22-2 record. JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights from the title game in Hightstown: Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Hun and Peddie is brought to you by Princeton Orthopaedic Associates. They are the reason we can bring you great moments like the Raiders 4th title in a row!
Watch Saturday 5.18 JSZ Baseball Highlights
With the state playoffs ready to commence on Monday, Saturday was more conference tournament baseball action. JSZ brings you a pair of games from the Shore Conference Tournament plus Montclair’s impressive win in the Greater Newark Tournament. We’ll be posting all three games throughout Saturday evening! (4) Montclair 12 (2) Seton Hall Prep 1 – […].....Read More »
Watch Saturday 5.18 JSZ Playoff Lacrosse Highlights
The state lacrosse playoffs continued and JSZ has two games from the boys side – both of our games were one-goal affairs. Nery Rodriguez and Madison Bess brings us some exciting action from Saturday morning! (4) Westfield 9 (5) Bridgewater-Raritan 8 – Boys – North Group 4 Quarterfinal Round No. 20 in the NJ Top […].....Read More »
Immaculata Wins Somerset County Crown in 12 Inning Marathon
It might have taken twelve innings, four hours and six minutes and 370 pitches but Immaculata yet again reigns supreme in Somerset County. Junior Ryan Kabus stepped up with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 12th inning and delivered a bloop single to shallow right field for the walk-off hit in a 6-5 […].....Read More »
Watch Friday 5.17 JSZ Playoff Lacrosse Highlights
The New Jersey lacrosse playoffs are in full swing, and JSZ has you covered with action from all around the state. Check back throughout the night for boys and girls playoff highlights! Allentown 11 Seneca 6 – Boys – South Group 2 Quarterfinal Fifth seed Allentown advanced to the South Group 2 Semifinals with an […].....Read More »
"JSZ Polls"
Vote now for the final Game Balls of the spring sports season
Vote Every Sunday
Each week JSZ will bring you ten nominations, for current sports in different regions for our Game Ball Awards. These nominations are composed of athletes who had top, player of the week-worthy, performances across the State. You’ll be able to vote for your favorite athlete…the votes tallied, and the winners will be awarded a JSZ Game Ball & Game Ball Ceremony. (Polls closes every Tuesday at 3PM)
A sample of some polls are below.
Download our app to keep up to date with our latest news!
Reminder!
You can always nominate a deserving player for a Game Ball! Just email us (rich@jerseysportszone.com) with the following information:
- The player’s Name
- The player’s School
- The game/date played this week
- The player’s stats for that game
Game Ball Presentations
Reece Miller Wins Central Jersey Game Ball!
Toms River East’s Reece Miller took home the final Central Jersey Game Ball for his CG 2-hit shutout against Jackson Memorial. Check out his full ceremony right now: Take Our Poll
Mariah Villanueva Wins North Jersey Game Ball!
McNair’s Mariah Villanueva took home the North Jersey Game Ball for her performance during the game against Hudson Catholic. She finished with 14 Ks. Check out her full ceremony right now: Take Our Poll
Shane Paradine Wins North Jersey Game Ball!
Bayonne’s Shane Paradine took home the North Jersey Baseball Game Ball for his performance during the game against North Bergen. He finished 2/3 with 2 HR and 6 RBIs. Check out his full ceremony right now: Take Our Poll
Emma Springstead Wins Central Jersey Game Ball!
Raritan’s Emma Springstead took home the Central Jersey Softball Game Ball for her GW 2-run HR during the game against Manasquan. Check out her full ceremony right now: Take Our Poll
Vote now for the final Game Balls of the spring sports season
Jersey Sports Zone thanks our loyal audience for voting all year long for JSZ Game Balls. We have the final 60 nominees in high school baseball and softball. We’ll keep our polls open through Tuesday at 3:00 pm and visit high school baseball and softball practices or games to present JSZ Game Balls to six more great recipients. Thanks to NJM Insurance for sponsoring JSZ’s South Jersey Game Balls South Jersey Game Ball Nominees presented by NJM Insurance Take Our Poll Take Our Poll North Jersey Game Ball Nominees Take Our Poll Take Our Poll Central Jersey Game Ball Nominees Take Our Poll Take Our Poll
Julie Davis Wins Central Jersey Game Ball!
South Plainfield’s Julie Davis took home the Central Jersey Game Ball for her performance during the game against Carteret. She finished with 4 RBIs and went 3-3. Check out her full ceremony online right now: Take Our Poll
Feature Stories
Scottie Gives Back: Lewis Hosts Hoops for Homeless
Prior to his jump into college basketball with the Florida Gators, Scottie Lewis brought some of the area’s top basketball players to Ranney for his second annual Hoops for Homeless. Lewis was inspired to use his status as one of the top basketball players in the country to give back. The event featured a number of high profile future college basketball stars including Louisville’s Aidan Igiehon, UConn’s Jalen Gaffney, Rutgers Paul Mulcahy and Xavier’s Zach Freemantle to name just a few. The dunk contest saw Scottie’s younger brother, Jaylen Smith, a junior at Raritan High steal the show with some big throwdowns. The McDonald’s All-American is about to become a household name across the country in college basketball and eventually the NBA, but as you’ll learn in our feature, Lewis is determined to use his basketball platform to make a difference in people’s lives: Proceeds from Saturday night’s game which included a raffle went to Lunch Break, which provides food, clothing, life skills and fellowship to those in need in Monmouth County and beyond. Click here if you want to help
Midd. North’s Malori Bell Gets 1K!
The heart of a lion? This girl has that and then some. Middletown North’s Malori Bell became the 20th player in New Jersey softball history to collect 1,000 career strikeouts Thursday afternoon. Although she only transferred in a season ago the Fairleigh Dickinson University commit has earned the admiration and support from the Middletown community. That’s largely due to her hard work ethic and loving personality. Needing just two K’s coming against Ocean Township, Bell accomplished her milestone in just the first inning. She would go on to finish her three hit shutout performance with 13 strikeouts total. JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez has the story:
Mamma Mia! Cedar Grove Ace Mia Faieta Joins Rare Company with Milestone Strikeout
It sure seems like Cedar Grove star pitcher Mia Faieta’s new favorite number is 19. Faieta completed a no-hitter while striking out a staggering 19 batters Wednesday against Wayne Valley to become the 19th softball player in New Jersey history to record 1,000 career strikeouts. The milestone also came on senior night, where the Cedar Grove community was on hand to recognize the future Essex County legend. Faieta has put together one of the most dominant high school careers in recent memory and she’s far from done. Check out these numbers just through her senior season alone: 91 innings, 215 strikeouts, only 10 hits allowed along with a measly three earned runs. Watch JSZ’s feature on Mia Faieta’s record-breaking day here: Faieta has proven to be a valuable senior presence for the Panthers, who sit at 14-2 on the season and look to get to Kean University in June to compete in the Group 1 state tournament. Her remarkable effort on the mound Wednesday vs. Wayne Valley was one of many memorable performances through her career. Two days earlier, Faieta notched 20 strikeouts in a shutout against Verona — and she also made national headlines in 2017 for completing a seven-inning perfect game by striking out all 21 batters faced. Watch all 19 strikeouts from Mia Faieta’s milestone day vs. Wayne Valley here:
Seibel Strong: Notre Dame senior inspires team during cancer fight
Lauren Seibel is battling Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and the Notre Dame girls lacrosse senior showed what kind of fight she has on the field. As she’s set to begin a second round of chemotherapy, it would have been understandable for Seibel to put lacrosse on the back burner, but her love of the game and desire to be side by side with her team during her senior season was too strong. Her three goal, three assist performance in the Irish’s 16-2 win at Point Pleasant Beach on Thursday is a shining example of her spirit and determination. Seibel knows that she’s not in this battle alone. The support of Notre Dame and the entire lacrosse community shows how sports truly unites us all together. Watch JSZ’s feature on “Seibel Strong” and get ready to be inspired by one courageous athlete: Notre Dame coach Bryan Fisher is appreciative from the outpouring support from the lacrosse community. 1st class from @CoachGaravente and her @AtownRedbirds girls lacrosse team. Thanks for the kind card for Lauren and our @Notre_Dame_HS family. #oneheart pic.twitter.com/X9wShnyoIv— Bryan Fisher (@CoachFishND) March 29, 2019 Special thanks to @LTPSAthletics Boys and Girls Lacrosse Teams for their support of Lauren Seibel. First class gesture. #SeibelStrong @CoachFishND pic.twitter.com/1AcP30Aq7C— Notre Dame HS Athletics (@NDNJAthletics) March 28, 2019 A special thanks to Princeton Orthopaedic Associates for sponsoring JSZ”s coverage of Notre Dame and all Mercer County sports. Our sponsors allow us to tell stories that go beyond the score.
Devils Rooney wowed by JSZ Top Hockey Goals from February
Jersey Sports Zone’s Top 5 Goals from February were honored during the New Jersey Devils game against the Boston Bruins. Devils forward Kevin Rooney visited our honorees during pre-game and had quite a reaction to five tremendous goals! JSZ thanks the New Jersey Devils for giving high school kids in New Jersey lifetime memories. After our pre-game visit with Kevin Rooney, the goals of the month winners had pre-game dinner and their goals were on full display during the first intermission of the Devils Bruins game. Watch our recap from another special night: Kevin Rooney was quite impressed with each and every goal. Here’s his take on JSZ’s Top Goals: Congratulations to our JSZ February Goals of the Month winners #5: Matt Keane, Chatham #4: Gehrig Eckoff, Morris Knolls #3: Dan Quiles, Middletown North #2: Nick Ochlan, Freehold Boro #1: Michael Balzarotti, Delbarton Jersey Sports Zone wraps up the season with our second annual 2019 All-State Hockey Banquet. The top players in the state will be honored prior to the Devils/’Sabres game this Monday night and we will announce our 2019 JSZ Hockey Player of the Year!
NJ’s speaker and Woodbridge Mayor team up in broadcast booth
For the past 20 years, Craig Coughlin and John McCormac have been broadcasting high school and youth sports in Woodbridge. But the familiar duo wearing headsets on the sidelines at Woodbridge, Colonia and JFK High are known more for their high profile day jobs. Coughlin is the speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly and McCormac is the former New Jersey state treasurer and the current mayor of Woodbridge. When the headsets go on, the business of politics and government take a back seat to breaking down the keys to victory and spotlighting the kids battling on the court. “For both of us, this is just an awful lot of fun and something we love to do,” Coughlin said. “We’ve done football, baseball, basketball, hockey, soccer, wrestling, swimming – the only thing we haven’t done is tennis.” “How often do you get to call a game when a 1000 point scorer is in the game,” McCormac said. “The fact that the team did it at home and did it in a state tournament game just puts the icing on the cake of a terrific night.” JSZ spent time with Coughlin and McCormac during their broadcast of Colonia’s 56-36 boys basketball state playoff win over Cranford. Watch our feature “From the State House to the Broadcast Booth”
Recruiting
Recruiting Heating Up for Roselle Catholic 2020 Center Cliff Omoruyi
It didn’t take long for Cliff Omoruyi to become a household name in the New Jersey basketball scene and now the 6’11” Roselle Catholic center is making waves as a major Class of 2020 recruit. Omoruyi, who played alongside Kentucky commit Kahlil Whitney and Temple-bound guard Josh Pierre-Louis this past season, is becoming one of the hottest recruits in America. The Nigerian-native has begun piling up some major offers after his junior season and also playing in the NBA’s Basketball Without Borders showcase. Watch JSZ’s highlight reel of Cliff Omoruyi’s junior season here: Here’s just some of the most recent recruiting news featuring Omoruyi: #Pittsburgh will host fast-rising 4 ⭐️6’11” Cliff Omoruyi’20 of @rc_basketball & @NY_Lightning for an unofficial visit Friday. He has a 7’6” wingspan 👀#H2P 📷 @brandondorf5 pic.twitter.com/IgMSMcEGJu— Andrew Slater (@Andrew__Slater) April 19, 2019 Kentucky just offered top-60 junior big man Cliff Omoruyi, a source tells @Rivals @RowlandRIVALS https://t.co/5wmT93evNh— Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) April 12, 2019 Omoruyi exploded onto the scene this season and was arguably the most dominant paint player across the Garden State. He averaged 10.2 points per game and 6.3 rebounds per contest on a Roselle Catholic team that went 28-4 and won New Jersey’s Non-Public “B” North sectional title. His list of offers already includes (in no particular order): Seton Hall, UCLA, Kentucky, Virginia, Pitt, Xavier, Illinois, UMass, UConn, South Carolina, Ohio State, Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, NC State, Syracuse, Florida, Rutgers, Miami, Vanderbilt, West Virginia, Butler, Western Kentucky, Auburn, Georgia and Indiana. Omoruyi was named to Jersey Sports Zone’s 2019 All-Zone team, a collection of the best 40 players in New Jersey. Stay tuned in with Jersey Sports Zone as we follow Omoruyi’s recruitment, along with the other top Class of 2020 players from the Garden State.
RBC’s Gordinier commits to Boston College
One of the top returning players from Red Bank Catholic’s state championship team has committed to play football in the ACC for the Boston College Eagles. Charlie Gordinier saw his offers skyrocket following an outstanding junior season that saw 83 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and an interception. He also came on late in the season at tight end making a number of key catches. He’s projected at tight end at the next level. Gordinier held 14 FBS offers including LSU, UCLA, Michigan State, Syracuse and Maryland before choosing the Eagles. Gordinier will be reunited with teammates (QB Steve Lubischer) at BC, but first Charlie will be one of the top players in the Shore Conference looking to lead the Caseys to back to back state titles. Watch JSZ’s highlight reel from Charlie Gordinier’s junior season: I am extremely blessed and excited to say that I am committed to Boston College to further my academic and athletic career! #DecideToFly 🦅 pic.twitter.com/SJOWksw191— Charlie Gordinier (@cgordinier22) April 10, 2019
RC’s Josh Pierre-Louis to Reunite with Brother at Temple
Roselle Catholic guard and JSZ Player of the Year finalist Josh Pierre-Louis is officially back off the market. Pierre-Louis has given a verbal commitment to play Division I basketball in Philadelphia for Temple University and new head coach Aaron McKie. Noted for his thunderous high-flying dunks and competitive demeanor, Pierre-Louis teamed with Kentucky-commit Kahlil Whitney to create one of the most dynamic one-two punches in New Jersey basketball. He averaged 14.2 points per game in his senior season at Roselle Catholic and was a major reason why they won repeat titles in the Union County Championship and Non-Public B North sectional finals. Watch JSZ’s highlight reel from Pierre-Louis’ explosive senior season: Josh will reunite with his brother, Nate Pierre-Louis, who averaged 13.3 points per game as a sophomore at Temple. Josh was originally committed to UNLV but recently reopened his commitment following the dismissal of former head coach Marvin Mensies. JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez also profiled Josh Pierre-Louis earlier this month. Learn everything about the future Temple Owl: Josh and Nate both shared the news on their social media accounts: PHILLY YALL READY🤷🏽♂️?? pic.twitter.com/nFgzBZafs2— Nate Pierre-Louis (@Nate_PL) March 29, 2019
Hillside’s Brian Ugwu Commits to Rutgers
Hillside’s senior linebacker and running back, Brian Ugwu, officially made his decision and put the pen to paper on Wednesday afternoon. The 6-3, 228-pounder will attend Rutgers University next fall. Ugwu has had an accomplished high school career, leading his team to their first sectional title in 32 years. The multifaceted player received many offers from other Division I football programs such as University of Pittsburgh and Temple University. But, Ugwu decided to stay local and loyal to the team who has shown him love since the start of his recruitment process. JSZ’s Madison Bess was in Hillside for Ugwu’s special day:
Woodrow Wilson’s Stanley King Staying Home, Commits to Rutgers
Stanley King is ready to represent his home state at the next level. The 6-5, 175-pound wideout hailing from Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden put pen to paper Wednesday morning and officially signed his National Letter of Intent with Rutgers University. King has left a legacy as one of the best playmakers in South Jersey history. He was named an Under Armour All-American this season and posted 148 receptions, 2,516 yards and 28 touchdowns over his high school career. Watch JSZ’s highlight reel from King’s senior season: No. 8 was the main offensive weapon on a Woodrow Wilson squad that scored 34 points per game, accrued a 9-4 record and won the South Jersey Group 3 sectional title in a 22-14 win over Burlington Township. King was one of 12 wide receivers selected to JSZ’s All-Zone statewide team, joining the likes of Charles Njoku (UCLA), Jaaron Hayek (Villanova), John Metchie (Alabama), Ayir Asante (Holy Cross) and fellow Rutgers commit John Guaimano. This play making WR is staying home! Welcome to the Brotherhood, @StanleyK_‼️ pic.twitter.com/m2yfH8MxDq— Rutgers Football (@RFootball) February 6, 2019 King selected Rutgers over Western Michigan, where his high school quarterback and JSZ Zoneman Finalist Nick Kargman is committed to. King was initially verbally committed to Louisville but decommitted just before his senior year started.
Bergen Catholic’s Tyler Devera Commits to Maryland
Tyler Devera emerged as New Jersey’s top tight end during his senior season and the Bergen Catholic product has officially made his college commitment. The 6-4, 225-pound Wayne native revealed he will continue his football career at Maryland. Devera made the official announcement via his Twitter account during Super Bowl LIII. C O M M I T T E D❗️…. LOCKS LESSONS🐢🐢#FearTheTurtle pic.twitter.com/Sh5Eoo8jpe— ₮Đ (@TylerDevera) February 3, 2019 Devera was the top receiving option in on an explosive Bergen Catholic offense that made it to the Non-Public Group 4 title game. Devera had a team-high 45 receptions for 613 yards and five touchdowns. Watch JSZ’s highlight reel of Tyler Devera’s senior season here: Tyler Devera was one of four tight ends named to JSZ’s 2018 All-Zone team, alongside Red Bank Catholic’s Kevin Bauman (Notre Dame), West Deptford’s Jason Collier (Pitt) and Hun’s Dylan Deveney (Georgia Tech). Devera whittled his Top 5 list down to Maryland, Colorado, Louisville, UMass and Rutgers, where he decommitted from prior to the 2018 season.
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