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Current News
JSZ Year in Review: Top Wrestling Matches of 2018
Jersey Sports Zone is about capturing great video highlights. As we get ready to turn the page towards the 2019-20 school year, we take one more look back at the top games captured by our cameras. Our series continues with wrestling. Plain and simple, New Jersey high school wrestling never disappoints. The state produces legit Division I talent year in and year out, and the 2018-2019 season was no different. Our list is a mix of the most viewed dual meets and state championship bouts from the season. #10: St. John Vianney’s Dean Peterson wins the 113-Pound State Championship It was a year to remember for Dean Peterson. The super sophomore rolled through his opponents all season long to a 39-0 record and his first state title. #9: Hunterdon Central’s Brett Ungar win the 106-Pound State Championship Brett Ungar and Tyler Klinksy each hadn’t lost a match all season long, but that would change when Ungar earned a major decision on his way to a state title. #8: Wall’s Rob Kanniard wins the 160-Pound State Championship Rob Kanniard might have had the most dominating season ever in New Jersey high school wrestling. He completed an undefeated 46-0 season, did not allow a single offensive point to be scored on him and won his first state. Kanniard now heads to Rutgers University to wrestle. #7: Howell 30 South Plainfeld 28 Howell and South Plainfield boast two of the most storied public school programs ever in New Jersey. The two powers clashed for bragging rights as the top public team in the Garden State. #6: Bergen Catholic’s Jacob Cardenas wins the 195-Pound State Championship Jacob Cardenas became the seventh wrestler in Bergen Catholic history to win multiple state championships after defeating Paramus’ Kyle Jacob, 6-3, in the state final. #5: Pope John’s JoJo Aragona wins the 138-Pound State Championship JoJo Aragona was ranked as the consensus No. 1 138-pound wrestler all season long and proved it once more by winning his first state championship. #4: Bergen Catholic 48 Delbarton 17 | Non-Public A North Sectional Final Bergen Catholic won 10 bouts and cruised through Delbarton to win its eighth-straight sectional crown. #3: Camden Catholic’s Lucas Revano wins the 145-Pound State Championship Anyone that’s seen Lucas Revano wrestle knows he has a thing for theatrics. Revano won his second consecutive state championship with an overtime pin. #2: St. Joseph (Mont.)’s Sammy Alvarez wins the 126-Pound State Championship It was the most heart-pounding, tense bout of the night in Atlantic City and it did not disappoint. In the first overtime period, Alvarez blocked, shrugged and spun for two against Robert Howard to win his first ever state championship. Alvarez, now committed to Rutgers University, also was named Most Outstanding Wrestler. #1: Blair Academy 45 Bergen Catholic 20 Bergen Catholic’s defeat of Blair Academy in 2018 was one of the most wild wins in all of America. The Bucs, however, used that loss as motivation to get revenge on Bergen Catholic at Lehigh University and secure their spot as the No. 1 high school team in America.
JSZ Year in Review: Top Hockey Games of 2018-19
It was a great year on the ice in New Jersey. From Don Bosco’s breakthrough at the Rock to great rivalries, our year in review series continues with the ten most viewed games from New Jersey high school hockey! #10: Middletown North 3 Middletown South 3 – Mayor’s Cup For the second straight year, the […].....Read More »
Wildwood Catholic Guard Commits to Temple Owls
Wildwood Catholic guard Jahlil White suffered a knee injury during the critical summer recruiting season, but it didn’t stop the Temple Owls from winning the services of the talented rising senior. White averaged 18.6 points and over six boards a game. He made his decision official via social media: White teamed with fellow D1 prospect […].....Read More »
Offers rolling in for Camden’s Ware
Camden’s Lance Ware has had a huge summer on the AAU circuit and some of the nation’s top programs have made offers to the rising senior. Jersey Sports Zone drops some of our best Ware highlights! 15 Division I schools have offered 6-foot-9 forward Lance Ware of Camden and that number should grow. Michigan and […].....Read More »
South Jersey Pitchers Petty and Nunan Get Set for Area Code Underclass Games
Rising juniors Chase Petty and Matt Nunan play for rival schools, but the two pitchers will become teammates in August at the Area Code Underclass Games in California. The two train together at the Baseball Performance Center, which is also sending a pair of rising seniors to the Area Code Games. JSZ’s Mike Frankel has […].....Read More »
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Game Ball Presentations
Morgan Tripodi of Woodbury Wins Final NJM Insurance Softball Game Ball
Woodbury’s Morgan Tripodi earned the final South Jersey Game Ball of the season for her performance against Paulsboro. The senior went 3-4 with a triple and three RBIs to lead the Thundering Herd to the win. Now Tripodi is helping Woodbury make a deep run in the South Jersey Group 1 playoffs! Take Our Poll Thanks to NJM Insurance for making South Jersey Softball Game Balls possible all year long!
Justin Merryfield of Haddon Twp. Wins Final NJM Insurance Baseball Game Ball
Haddon Township’s Justin Merryfield earned the final South Jersey Game Ball of the season for his performance against Camden Catholic. Merryfield hit a grand slam in the game to help lead the Hawks to victory. Check out Justin’s ceremony here: Take Our Poll Thanks to NJM Insurance for sponsoring JSZ’s South Jersey Game Balls all year long!
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
Feature Stories
South Jersey Pitchers Petty and Nunan Get Set for Area Code Underclass Games
Rising juniors Chase Petty and Matt Nunan play for rival schools, but the two pitchers will become teammates in August at the Area Code Underclass Games in California. The two train together at the Baseball Performance Center, which is also sending a pair of rising seniors to the Area Code Games. JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the story from Pleasantville:
Robert Howard Hungry for Team USA Gold Medal
New Jersey wrestling aficionados know Robert Howard as a three-time state finalist, winning an NJSIAA championship in 2018. But casual wrestling fans might not know Howard holds a U.S. wrestling record — he’s the only American wrestler to ever make three Cadet freestyle world teams. Howard placed ninth in 2017 and fell short at 13th last summer, but those finishes are long by the wayside. Robert Howard, is totally geared up to win a 55 kg (121 pound) gold medal for Team USA in Sofia, Bulgaria from July 29 to August 4. JSZ sat down with Howard and his club coach, Rich Bitetto, as he prepares for the biggest tournament of his life: Stay tuned with Jersey Sports Zone throughout the summer as we bring you behind-the-scenes feature stories and highlight reels of the top athletes in the Garden State.
Cedar Creek’s Malachi Melton Picks Purdue
Malachi Melton announced his commitment to play football at Purdue University during a ceremony at Cedar Creek High School. Melton projects as a defensive back and return specialist for the Boilermakers. He chose Purdue over other finalists Rutgers and Temple. JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the story from Egg Harbor City:
Simms Family Influencing Next Gen of NJ Football Players
The Simms family has become synonymous with professional football. New York Giants legend Phil Simms won a pair of Super Bowls with Big Blue — his son Matt was an NFL quarterback from 2012 to 2017, most notably spending three seasons with the New York Jets. Now, the father-son duo has begun shifting their focus onto the next generation of New Jersey players through their involvement at the high school level between Phil’s All-Star game and Matt’s business, Simms Complete QB. JSZ’s Jay Cook takes you behind the scenes of the Simms family and how these two quarterbacks are influencing Garden State football:
Long Branch’s “Pooter” ready for an encore of 2k season
The Long Branch Green Wave football team has enjoyed back to back sectional titles and running back Jermaine Corbett has been the catalyst for coach Dan George’s explosive run attack. Corbett toppled 2000 yards and 26 touchdowns in his junior campaign and heads into his senior season with over 3400 career rushing yards. Quiet and humble, Corbett prefers to do his talking under the Friday night lights, but JSZ was able to talk with him about what’s to come as Long Branch chases a three-peat Corbett has given JSZ plenty of highlights over the past two years. Check out Pooter’s best in his junior year mixtape Thanks to Rosario Realty for sponsoring JSZ’s coverage of Long Branch!
JSZ Presents Scottie Lewis Dunkology
For four years, JSZ cameras chronicled the incredible high school career of Ranney’s Scottie Lewis. The McDonald’s All-American is set to begin his college career with the Florida Gators. We salute his endless highlights on Jersey Sports Zone with Scottie Lewis Dunkology. We went through the archives and found every dunk we shot of Scottie in a Ranney uniform and here they are in chronological order! Lewis was one of our finalists for JSZ Mister Hoop Zone as he teamed with JSZ Player of the Year Bryan Antoine to give Ranney its first Tournament of Champions title
Recruiting
Wildwood Catholic Guard Commits to Temple Owls
Wildwood Catholic guard Jahlil White suffered a knee injury during the critical summer recruiting season, but it didn’t stop the Temple Owls from winning the services of the talented rising senior. White averaged 18.6 points and over six boards a game. He made his decision official via social media: 110% COMMITTED 🍒⚪️ pic.twitter.com/P47IDcL78Y— jahlil (@jahlilwhite13) July 19, 2019 White teamed with fellow D1 prospect Taj Thweatt to lead Wildwood Catholic to a 27-2 record in 2018-19. With both players returning, the Crusaders will be one of New Jersey’s top teams this season and will contend for the Tournament of Champions title. Here’s JSZ’s highlight reel of the newest Temple Owl:
Offers rolling in for Camden’s Ware
Camden’s Lance Ware has had a huge summer on the AAU circuit and some of the nation’s top programs have made offers to the rising senior. Jersey Sports Zone drops some of our best Ware highlights! 15 Division I schools have offered 6-foot-9 forward Lance Ware of Camden and that number should grow. Michigan and Oregon are the most recent basketball powers to extend an offer to the rising senior. Watch Jersey Sports Zone’s highlight reel of Lance Ware now!
Cedar Creek’s Malachi Melton Picks Purdue
Malachi Melton announced his commitment to play football at Purdue University during a ceremony at Cedar Creek High School. Melton projects as a defensive back and return specialist for the Boilermakers. He chose Purdue over other finalists Rutgers and Temple. JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the story from Egg Harbor City:
Jabri Abdur-Rahim commits to National Champ Virginia
One of the top recruits in the summer hoops season has made his college choice. Jabri Abdur-Rahim has made a verbal commitment to play for the University of Virginia. Abdur-Rahim chose the defending national champions over the University of Michigan. The 6-6″ forward is a four-star recruit rated as New Jersey’s top recruit and #44 in the nation according to 247 Sports. He averaged 17.7 points and 9.2 rebounds a game in his junior campaign. The Blair Academy rising senior made the announcement via his social media accounts: 100% committed #gohoos ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/REkuYPdudk— Jabri (@jabri404) July 10, 2019 Blair Academy won the Prep “A” state championship in 2018-19 with a win over Saint Benedict’s Prep in the final. Here’s JSZ’s junior highlight reel of the newest Wahoo:
Estime Express Gearing Up for Junior Season
After carrying the rock 156 times for 860 yards and reaching the end-zone 12 times in an eye-opening sophomore season, the Estime Express is gearing up for another championship ride from Montvale to East Rutherford. Rising sophomore running back Audric Estime exploded onto the North Jersey football scene last season and made his name known, week in and week out. Watch JSZ’s highlight reel of Audric Estime: Estime’s first varsity season coincided with St. Joe’s winning the Non-Public Group 4 state final in a 13-0 battle — Estime scored the game’s only touchdown. Since the win, his college recruitment exploded. Estime holds offers from Boston College, Nebraska, Maryland, West Virginia, Pitt and Duke, among others. Expect more offers to pour in as the year goes on. Stay tuned with Jersey Sports Zone throughout the summer as we keep you updated on all the most recent recruiting news while showing you top-notch video highlight reelsof New Jersey’s top athletes.
Saint Peter’s Prep linebacker commits to Ohio State
Cody Simon is ready to be a Buckeye, but first he has one more season in New Jersey leading the Marauders defense. The four star linebacker gave his verbal commitment to Ohio State over the weekend. JSZ has a highlight reel from one of the Garden State’s most explosive defensive players. Saint Peter’s Prep linebacker Cody Simon was one of New Jersey’s high impact juniors and the numbers back it up. Simon had 89 tackles, 4.5 sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries in 2019. He had the knack to make the big play with an 85 yard TD catch against St. Joe-Montvale and an 89 yard pick six TD against Bergen Catholic. With older brother Shayne in South Bend and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Cody made his pledge to the Big Ten and Columbus, Ohio: After much deliberation with my family and coaches, I have made the decision to attend THE Ohio State University‼️I am grateful to now be able to focus on my team and our success for the 2019 season. pic.twitter.com/e2CTj4U0VW— Cody Simon (@Cody_Simon30) June 29, 2019 Jersey Sports Zone has the film to back up the hype on this four-star prospect. Check out Cody Simon’s 2019 JSZ Highlight Reel:
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