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Current News
Camden Catholic 2018 Preview
Following an 8-2 year and an offseason of controversy that saw the firing of a Head Coach and the transfer of numerous players, Camden Catholic is back with a new leader at the helm. New Coach Cody Hall is preparing the Irish for Week 0 as they look to put the past behind them. JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez stopped by to training camp: 2018 Schedule Friday, August 31 – At Rancocas Valley Friday, September 7 – WOODROW WILSON Friday, September 14 – HOLY SPIRIT Friday, September 21 –WILLINGBORO Friday, October 5 – At Delsea Friday, October 12 –At Lenape Friday, October 19 – CAMDEN Saturday, October 28 – at Cedar Creek Wednesday, November 21 – at Paul VI Sponsor Shoutout! Thank you to NJM Insurance for sponsoring our Camden Catholic coverage. JSZ looks forward to brining you Irish Athletics all year long!
St. John Vianney 2018 JSZ Football Preview
St. John Vianney Reloaded For 2018 After 18 seniors graduated from the program, St. John Vianney has rallied and reloaded its team with some fresh faces and top talent. Former Matawan Regional High School and Kean University coach Joe Martucci is now the head coach and takes over a Lancers squad that’s a staggering 38-0 […].....Read More »
Rancocas Valley 2018 Preview
The Rancocas Valley Red Devils are back for 2018, watch their season preview now!.....Read More »
Summit 2018 Football Preview
Confidence is Key for Summit The Summit Hilltoppers ended last season with a 6-4 record, but like most schools in the Mid-State, they too have a handful of playmakers returning. Head Coach Kevin Kostibos says their experience and confidence will be the key this year’s success. Check out Summit’s Preview now: Hilltoppers’ 2018 Schedule: Thursday, […].....Read More »
Montclair 2018 JSZ Football Preview
The Mounties were a perfect 12-0 in 2017 winning the North 1 Group 5 title. What do they have for an encore? Watch JSZ's Montclair preview NOW!.....Read More »
Game Ball Polls
Every Sunday beginning in September you can vote on our Weekly Game Balls
Vote Every Sunday Starting in September
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!
Baseball:
Softball:
Reminder!
You can always nominate a deserving player for a Game Ball! Just email Courtney DuPont (courtney@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
Monmouth’s Guarino wins JSZ Web Gem of the Year
Monmouth Regional 3rd baseman Anthony Guarino won our fan vote for JSZ Web Gem of the Year. The Falcons senior is set to attend Rowan University this fall, but will officially close out his high school career next week when he plays in the Shore Conference Gridiron Classic as part of the Monmouth County squad. We stopped by Monmouth Regional to present Anthony with a JSZ Game Ball for winning the Web Gem of the Year: In case you missed it, watch all the best web gems captured by JSZ cameras on the diamond. Thanks to the athletes for all the great highlights! Take Our Poll Monmouth Building Center in Shrewsbury has been honoring Shore Conference athletes for the past four years. Thanks to the team at Monmouth Building Center for giving us the chance to honor great Shore kids in football, basketball, baseball and softball.
Jersey Sports Zone’s All-Zone Team & Game Ball Winners Shine in 2018 Phil Simms All-Star Game
Jersey Sports Zone took a big part in the 2018 Phil Simms North-South All-Star Game. Not only did our multimedia journalists bring you great highlights, but our 2017 All-Zone Football Team and JSZ Game Ball winners were key playermakers in this year’s North v South battle. A Closer Look at JSZ’s All-Zone Players & Game Ball Winners in the 2018 Phil Simms Game: Highlights of 2018 Phil Simms North-South All-Star Game:
JSZ Game Ball Tour makes final stop to Morris Catholic
With the 2017-18 sports season over, JSZ wraps up our Game Ball tour with a stop to Morris Catholic High School. Thanks to coach Nick DeGenarro and Grace Stairiker for making time for one more Game Ball presentation: Take Our Poll A special thanks to everyone who voted all year long around the state for our JSZ Game Balls. We’ve enjoyed honoring athletes from baseball, softball, boys basketball, girls basketball and football!
JSZ Game Balls come to Wayne Hills, Shore Regional
As the spring sports season comes to a close, JSZ is wrapping up our Game Ball honorees as we visit the state and honor great baseball and softball performances. It was great to spend time with Wayne Hills and Shore Regional prior to their season finales. Congratulations to Jenna Maguire and Sophia Fedak for winning our fan polls earlier this year: Monmouth Building Center in Shrewsbury has been honoring Shore Conference athletes for the past four years. Thanks to the team at Monmouth Building Center for giving us the chance to honor great Shore kids in football, basketball, baseball and softball.
Vote now for Courtney’s Mid-State Game Ball
Each week JSZ will bring you ten nominations, both baseball & softball, for our weekly Mid-State Game Ball Award. These nominations are composed of athletes who had top, player of the week-worthy, performances across the Mid-State. Vote for your favorite athlete now, and this week’s winner will be awarded a JSZ Game Ball & Game Ball Ceremony. (Polls close Tuesday at 3PM) Baseball: Take Our Poll Softball: Take Our Poll Reminder! You can always nominate a deserving player for a Game Ball! Just email Courtney DuPont (courtney@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
JSZ stops by Florence to deliver a pair of South Jersey Game Balls!
Following an 11-0 loss to division rival New Egypt, Junior Payne Walachy helped Florence redeem themselves with a victory in an 11-10 against the Warriors. Walachy finished the day 3-5 and contributed 4 RBI’s. Sitting currently at 9-9 Payne will look to help the Flashes as postseason play is right around the corner: Take Our Poll Florence’s Sam Cartier is no stranger in the batter’s box. In her junior year Cartier is batting .485 and has driven in 18 runs in 2018. In the Flash’s game against Maple Shade Sam went 3-4 and finished the day with 4 RBI’s. Watch her acceptance speech: Take Our Poll Each week Nery Rodriguez will nominate 10 players from the South Jersey area, the winner will receive a Jersey Sports Zone game ball on camera at practice as part of their ceremony! Voting closes at 3 p.m. Tuesday so cast your vote below: Did we miss someone? Email Nery: nery@jerseysportszone.com
Feature Stories
Summit 2018 Football Preview
Confidence is Key for Summit The Summit Hilltoppers ended last season with a 6-4 record, but like most schools in the Mid-State, they too have a handful of playmakers returning. Head Coach Kevin Kostibos says their experience and confidence will be the key this year’s success. Check out Summit’s Preview now: Hilltoppers’ 2018 Schedule: Thursday, August 30 – 4:00 @ Morristown Friday, September 7 – TBA @ Montgomery Saturday, September 15 – 1:00 WARREN HILLS Saturday, September 22 – 1:00 NORTH HUNTERDON Saturday, September 29 – 1:00 @ Scotch Plains-Fanwood Saturday, October 6 – 2:30 COLONIA Friday, October 12 – 7:00 @ Cranford Friday, October 19 – 7:00 ST JOSEPH MET. Friday, October 26 – 7:00 @ Immaculata Sponsor Alert! Coverage of Summit is brought to you by Equinox. Thanks to Equinox JSZ can bring you exciting Hilltoppers highlights all season long.
Montclair 2018 JSZ Football Preview
It doesn’t get much better than Montclair’s 2017 season. A perfect 12-0 with one of the most explosive offenses, the challenge to match near perfection in all three phases will be daunting. With QB Tarrin Earle off to Bucknell and Danny Webb at Army, the Mounties will turn to a strong senior group to fill the void. Josh Crawford (committed to Central Michigan) takes over the running duties and Charles Murphy makes the move from wide receiver to run the offense at quarterback. Defensively, Willie Matthews is a special player. Coming off a 183 tackle, 25.5 sack junior season, Matthews has D1 interest including Rutgers and is determined to take his already high level of play to rarified air. JSZ looks ahead to the 2018 Mounties: Montclair 2018 Football Schedule Saturday, September 8 – NUTLEY Friday, September 14 – at Washington (OH) Saturday, September 22 – EAST ORANGE Friday, September 28 – at Columbia Saturday, October 6 – at Seton Hall Prep Saturday, October 13 – BLOOMFIELD Saturday, October 20 – LIVINGSTON Friday, October 26 – at Irvington
2018 Phillipsburg Football Preview
Phillipsburg Returns with Unfinished Business After an undefeated regular season last year, Phillipsburg suffered two tragic losses leaving them with a 10-2 record and no sectional title. This season, Frank Duffy and his team say they have unfinished business. Both Jack Staggard and Joe Green believe that this year’s squad could have another undefeated run and challenge for the sectional title they missed out on in 2017. Checkout Phillipsburg’s season preview now: Stateliners’ 2018 Schedule: Friday, August 31 – 7:00 WARREN HILLS Friday, September 7 – 7:00 FRANKLIN Friday, September 14 – 7:00 @ Hunterdon Central Friday, September 21 – 7:00 UNION Friday, September 28 – 7:00 BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN Friday, October 5 – 7:00 @ Hillsborough Friday, October 12 – 7:00 WESTFIELD Friday, October 19 – 7:00 @ Ridge Thursday, November 22 – 10:30 Easton Game @ Lafayette College Sponsor Alert! Coverage of Pburg is brought to you by the Garnet Booster Club. Thanks to this dedicated booster club JSZ will bring you exciting Stateliner highlights all year long!
2018 Somerville Football Preview
Defending Group 3 Champs get a new Coach with the Same Expectations Somerville is excited for the 2018 season. After winning last year’s Group 3 Sectional Final at Rutgers University, the Pioneers’ head coach, Jeff Vanderbeek, resigned. This year Vanderbeek’s assistant, Dallas Whitaker, takes over. Fortunately, the transition has been smooth. Whitaker supports and will continue to develop the high intensity and fast pace football culture already present at Somerville. Check out Somerville’s season preview now: Pioneers’ 2018 Schedule: Friday, August 31 – 3:00 @ Delbarton Friday, September 7 – 7:00 @ Rahway Friday, September 14 – 7:00 NORTH PLAINFIELD Friday, September 21 – 7:00 VOORHEES Friday, September 29 – 7:00 @ Governor Livingston Friday, September 5 – 7:00 CRANFORD Friday, October 12 – 7:00 WARREN HILLS Friday, October 19 – 7:00 @ Montgomery Friday, October 26 – 7:00 @ Del Val
2018 Hunterdon Central Season Preview
The Red Devils’ Offense Returns with Experience: Last year Hunterdon Central was inexperienced and almost completely composed of underclassman. This season, second year head Coach Casey Ransone says he has established a new culture within the Red Devils’ organization, and believes his team’s experiences last year will make a big difference in 2018. Check out the Red Devils’ 2018 season preview now: Red Devils 2018 Schedule: Friday, September 7 – 7:00 @ Ridge Friday, September 14 – 7:00 PHILLIPSBURG Friday, September 21 – 7:00 @ Hillsborough Friday, September 28 – 7:00 WATCHUNG HILLS Friday, October 5 – 7:00 @ Bridgewater-Raritan Friday, October 12 – 7:00 UNION Friday, October 19 – 7:00 @ Old Bridge Friday, October 26 – 7:00. FRANKLIN
Hillsborough’s O-Line Returns to Lead The Way
Hillsborough Raiders 2018 Football Preview: The Raiders went 6-4 last season and averaged 28.2 ppg thanks to an impressive staff of skill players. However, this year’s star returners can only be found in the trenches. All five of the Raiders’ starting offensive lineman return in 2018, and they are ready for war. Check out season preview now: Raiders’ 2018 Schedule: Thursday, August 30 – 5:00 @ Colonia Friday, September 7 – 7:00 @ Bridgewater-Raritan Friday, September 14 – 7:00 @ Franklin Friday, September 21 – 7:00 HUNTERDON CENTRAL Friday, September 28 – 7:00 @ Ridge Friday, October 5 – 7:00 PHILLIPSBURG Week 6 – Bye Week Friday, October 19 – TBA @ Linden Friday, October 26 – 7:00 WATCHUNG HILLS Sponsor Alert! Coverage of Hillsborough is brought to you by Princeton Ortho. Thank you Princeton Ortho for allowing JSZ to cover and produce highlights of the Raiders all year long!
Recruiting
Josh McKenzie chooses Yale, Mater Dei’s Sillah is BC bound
Josh McKenzie is on his way to the Ivy league and the Yale Bulldogs. The Bergen Catholic running back chose Yale over 12 other schools leading up to his senior season at Bergen Catholic. McKenzie had a number of FBS offers including Rutgers, Boston College, Vanderbilt and Virginia, but opts to head to the Ivy League. McKenzie made the Friday night announcement via his social media accounts: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” … I am committed to Yale University ! #GoBulldogs #4For40 #GodsPlan pic.twitter.com/VabzmDVbhD — Josh McKenzie (@Josmckenzie) August 11, 2018 Watch JSZ’s Highlight reel of the newest Yale Bulldog: McKenzie has been hyped as one of the nation’s top running backs as far back as 8th grade and has equal prowess on the wrestling mat. JSZ’s Jay Cook profiled McKenzie’s return to the mat during his junior year with the Crusaders: In Middletown, Mater Dei Prep linebacker Shitta Sillah made Friday night headlines with his commitment to Boston College. Sillah had a long list of offers and heads to Chestnut Hill along with fellow Seraphs senior Izaiah Henderson. Beyond Blessed! pic.twitter.com/YUAIgNbiVR — Shitta Sillah (@ssillah9) August 10, 2018 Sponsor Shout Out! A special thanks to Equinox Fitness for sponsoring our Bergen Catholic coverage on Jersey Sports Zone. Great Crusader highlights and features are made possible thanks to their support!
Kahlil Whitney commits to Kentucky
One of New Jersey’s mega-recruits from the class of 2019 has made his choice. Roselle Catholic forward Kahlil Whitney has given a verbal commitment to play in the SEC for coach John Calipari and the Kentucky Wildcats. Whitney chose the Wildcats over Illinois, Oregon and Georgetown. Whitney was part of a Roselle Catholic squad that won New Jersey’s Tournament of Champions. Watch Jersey Sports Zone’s junior year mix-tape of the newest member of Big Blue Nation:
Watch the Ultimate Mix Tapes of Ranney’s Antoine and Lewis
The Ranney School broke through in 2017-18 with its first-ever Shore Conference championship and a spot in the state finals and an epic battle with eventual Tournament of Champions winner Roselle Catholic. The Panthers will be a contender to be New Jersey’s top basketball team in 2018-19 thanks to the senior duo of Bryan Antoine and Scottie Lewis. As they head into their senior season, Antoine and Lewis are ranked #9 and #10 in ESPN’s top national recruits in the class of 2019. Both players wrapped up their AAU careers with Team Rio and have one more chapter to write in high school. With both players expected to make their college choice in the fall, JSZ broke down every game we shot of the Panthers and compiled two amazing mixtapes that showcase the incredible talent of these two players. SCOTTIE LEWIS Final Seven Schools (in alphabetical order): Duke, Florida, Harvard, Kentucky, Saint John’s, Stanford, Villanova BRYAN ANTOINE Final Five Schools (in alphabetical order): Duke, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Villanova
Chase Jones ends recruiting chase, pledges to Wake Forest
Saint Peter’s Prep linebacker and wide receiver Chase Jones has made his college choice just one week before the start of the 2018 high school football season. Jones has given a verbal commitment to play in the ACC for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons as he made the announcement via his social media: pic.twitter.com/sefCjoFlrD — Chase Jones (@chase1jones) July 26, 2018 Jones is recruited for his defensive prowess and is expected to be part of the linebacking corps at Wake Forest. He’s a tremendous two way player for Saint Peter’s as he hauled in 38 catches for 537 yards and 5 TD’s last year. Watch JSZ’s highlight reel from his junior campaign:
Countdown to Kickoff: Breaking down Don Bosco RB Jalen Berger
As we gear up for the 2018 football season, JSZ is breaking down our film all during the summer to get ready for our team previews which begin on Monday, August 6th. Don Bosco Prep running back Jalen Berger is one of the top rising juniors in the nation and is very much on the major college football recruiting radar. Here’s a look at some of Jalen’s work during his sophomore season that saw him run for 940 yards for the Ironmen: Link: USA Today names Jalen Berger one of the top running backs in the class of 2020 Jalen Berger has 24 offers from elite college football programs: Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, Alabama, Boston College, UConn, Duke, Kentucky, LSU, Maryland, Michigan State, Nebraska, North Carolina, Ole Miss, Rutgers, Temple, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wisconsin
Countdown to Kickoff: Breaking Down Bergen Catholic
The Jersey Sports Zone team is getting set to preview the 2018 football season in August. As we countdown to kickoff, we’re breaking down the hundreds of hours of highlights we shot during the 2017 season. Bergen Catholic is coming off a sectional championship. Here are six highlight reels from Crusaders who should make a big impact in 2018: Tyler Devera – 2019 Tight End – RUTGERS COMMIT Rahmir Johnson – 2019 Running Back – NEBRASKA COMMIT Aeneas DiCosmo – 2019 Defensive End You’ll be hard pressed to find a more impressive final five schools and creative artwork! Commitment Time coming soon…This is my Top Five: Stanford🌲, Clemson🐅, Notre Dame☘️🌈, Michigan〽️, Northwestern🐱 pic.twitter.com/f9KqU7tGXl — Aeneas (@aeneas_dicosmo) May 1, 2018 Josh McKenzie – 2019 Running Back One of the biggest names on the board when it comes to New Jersey high school recruiting, McKenzie has 13 offers including Rutgers, Boston College, Syracuse, Harvard, Vanderbilt, Virginia and West Virginia: Anthony Corbin – Class of 2019 Linebacker Corbin has two Division I FBS offers from Air Force and Navy as well as five Ivy League offers. Jordan Morant – Class of 2020 Safety One of the top rising juniors in New Jersey, Morant has quickly piled up 13 Division I offers including Penn State, Michigan, Ohio State, Nebraska and Wisconsin A special thanks to Equinox Fitness for sponsoring JSZ’s coverage of Bergen Catholic. Because of Equinox, we’ll have many more great moments from the Crusaders in ALL sports during the 2018-19 season!
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