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Current News
Vengeance for the A.C. Vikings Versus Holy Spirit
Atlantic City 52 Holy Spirit 28 The Vikings lost to the rival Spartans back in December, but A.C. certainly got its revenge in the rematch. Atlantic City smothered Spirit on defense ll day long. Teriq Chapman led the way for the Vikings on offense with a game-high 16 points. Stephen Byard chipped in with ten points in the victory. JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the highlights from this Cape-Atlantic League clash:
Watch Monday 2.17 JSZ Gordon Cup Hockey Highlights
The cup season is alive and well in New Jersey and Jersey Sports Zone has coverage from two Gordon Cup quarterfinals from Monday afternoon. Enjoy the highlights! Bergen Catholic 5 Seton Hall Prep 3 Senior forward Nick Stoebling pumped in a career-high four goals as the No. 3 seed Crusaders advanced past the No. 6 […].....Read More »
Camden Clips Wildwood Catholic in a Classic
Camden 63 Wildwood Catholic 54 (OT) It was one of the most anticipated games of the season, and it lived up to the hype. The Panthers outlasted the Crusaders in overtime in front of a capacity crowd of over 3,000 people at Neumann University in Pennsylvania. Devin Benson came off of the bench to score […].....Read More »
Watch Sunday 2.16 JSZ State Championship Wrestling Highlights
Jersey Sports Zone is in Toms River for the Wrestling Group Championships. We have in-depth coverage and extended highlights of every single match from Sunday afternoon. Enjoy the coverage — we’ll see you in A.C.! Delbarton 54 St. Augustine Prep 7 | Non-Public A Final For almost a decade the team state title has eluded […].....Read More »
Vote now for ACI Medical & Dental School JSZ Central Jersey Game Balls for Week 7!
Thank you to everyone who votes every single week. We’ve got another great group of high school basketball standouts who are nominated for a JSZ Game Ball! Every Sunday during the basketball season, JSZ combs through the boxscores and comes up with 20 nominees for boys and girls basketball from Central Jersey who are up […].....Read More »
"JSZ Polls"
Vote Now for NJM Insurance South Jersey Week 7 Game Balls
Vote now for ACI Medical & Dental School JSZ Central Jersey Game Balls for Week 7!
Vote Now For JSZ North Jersey Week 7 Game Balls!
Game Ball Presentations
Vote now for ACI Medical & Dental School JSZ Central Jersey Game Balls for Week 7!
Thank you to everyone who votes every single week. We’ve got another great group of high school basketball standouts who are nominated for a JSZ Game Ball! Every Sunday during the basketball season, JSZ combs through the boxscores and comes up with 20 nominees for boys and girls basketball from Central Jersey who are up for two JSZ Game Balls. The polls are open NOW through Tuesday at 3:00 pm. JSZ will pay a visit to a mid-week practice or game and present Game Balls to the winners of our polls. Thanks to coaches who have sent us nominations for their players. A reminder that you can email rich@jerseysportszone.com by Saturday night for any players who you think are worthy of a Game Ball nomination. Take Our Poll Take Our Poll Jersey Sports Zone is excited to have ACI Medical & Dental School join our team and present our Central Jersey Game Balls all year long in addition to allowing us to bring great highlights and features to Rumson-Fair Haven and Middletown North. One of the top technical schools in NJ, Advantage Career Institute Medical & Dental School in Central New Jersey offers a variety of programs in the in-demand medical and dental industries. Visit ACI.edu to learn more! Last Week’s Game Balls Thanks to everyone who voted at Monroe and Hightstown. Congratulations to Madison Carey and Ryan Hogan for winning last week’s polls:
Vote Now for NJM Insurance South Jersey Week 7 Game Balls
We’re getting closer to playoff time, and South Jersey standouts continue to put up some big numbers on the hardwood. Our polls are now OPEN, so get those votes in for your favorite player. The polls close at 3:00 pm on Tuesday. JSZ will award Game Balls to winners at a midweek practice or game. Take Our Poll Take Our Poll South Jersey Game Balls are brought to you by NJM Insurance.
Vote Now For JSZ North Jersey Week 7 Game Balls!
Another week of the high school basketball season means two more North Jersey basketball players will be honored for outstanding performances. Vote in the polls below for Week 7’s JSZ North Jersey Game Ball winner! The polls are open NOW through Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. and we’ll pay a visit to a mid-week practice or game and present Game Balls to the winners of our polls. Thanks to coaches who have sent us nominations for their players. A reminder that you can email Jay@JerseySportsZone.com by Saturday night for any players who you think are worthy of a Game Ball nomination. He’ll also reach out to the respective head coach of the winning player. North Jersey Boys’ Basketball Poll Take Our Poll North Jersey Girls’ Basketball Poll Take Our Poll
JSZ North Jersey Game Ball Tour Visits Ridgewood!
Big time players show up when it counts. Ridgewood forward Tristan Wennersten put up 29 points and 10 rebounds over Fair Lawn in a win during the Bergen County Jamboree last week. Wennersten accumulated 5,155 votes (37.7 percent) to win JSZ’s Week 6 North Jersey Game Ball. JSZ’s Jay Cook visited the Maroons for the presentation: Take Our Poll
Delsea’s Jimmy Reilly Wins NJM Insurance JSZ South Jersey Game Ball
Delsea’s Jimmy Reilly delivered in a big way for the Crusaders in a 75-71 win over Highland on February 4th. Reilly recorded a double-double, scoring 20 points and dishing out ten assists, in the Tri-County Conference clash against the Tartans. The junior guard garnered 37 percent of the votes in a hotly contested poll to take home this week’s NJM Insurance JSZ South Jersey Game Ball. Take Our Poll South Jersey Game Balls are made possible by NJM Insurance. Please submit nominations to MikeFrankel@jerseysportszone.com by Saturday evening.
Gateway’s Maddy Reed Wins NJM Insurance South Jersey Game Ball
Maddy Reed runs the show for the Gateway girls basketball team, and that was certainly on display against Overbrook. The Gators guard scored 16 points to lead Gateway to victory against the Rams. Reed received over 7,000 votes to earn this week’s NJM Insurance JSZ South Jersey Game Ball. Check out Maddy’s presentation here: Take Our Poll South Jersey Game Balls are made possible by NJM Insurance. Please submit nominations to MikeFrankel@jerseysportszone.com by Saturday evening.
Feature Stories
Leon Jones of Notre Dame overcomes serious injury to play again
In sports the saying goes “play every game like it’s your last.” For Notre Dame’s Leon Jones this almost became a tragic reality when the senior was briefly paralyzed during a playoff football game. After 48 hours in the hospital Jones regained feeling in his limbs and after lots of hard work, determination and physical therapy he returned to the basketball court to be honored on Senior Day. JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez has the story of one family’s emotional journey through uncertainty: Watch the highlights from Notre Dame’s 52-44 win over Council Rock (PA): Thank you to Princeton Orthopaedic Associates for sponsoring our Notre Dame coverage.
Elizabeth’s Phil Colicchio: Union County’s Gold Standard
For 20 seasons, Phil Colicchio manned the helm of Linden’s basketball program. He racked up 449 wins, three Union County titles, nine sectional titles and six Group 4 state championships. Now coaching in Elizabeth, Colicchio returns to where he got his start for the very first time. JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez has the story: Check out the highlights from Elizabeth’s 60-57 OT win over Linden:
Brick Stars special needs hockey team soaring to national heights
It started at Ocean Ice Palace nine years ago and the Brick Stars have grown not only in the size of their program but their skill on the ice. The program has taken special needs children and given them skates, equipment and everything else they need to get on the ice and play hockey. “Hockey is for Everyone” is the mission statement of this special organization and their players are thriving on the ice. Two players in the program are currently playing JV high school hockey and three Brick Stars will play for the USA National Special Hockey Team. The Brick Stars played their annual Super Bowl Sunday game against the US Wounded Warriors at Avon Pond and once again the local hockey community was out in full force. Players from CBA, Saint John Vianney, Saint Rose, Wall, Freehold Township, Central Regional, Jackson Liberty and Trinity Hall came to show their support. Watch JSZ’s story on the Stars meteoric rise and how the state’s top-ranked team in NJ high school hockey has a special bond with one player: To learn more about the Brick Stars visit their website HERE:
Saint Rose Hockey hosts special night for “Samvincible”
It was more than a hockey game on Friday night at Jersey Shore Arena in Wall. Saint Rose, dubbed the Frozen Roses on the ice, helped an inspiring junior as he continues the fight against a severe spinal injury. Watch JSZ’s feature on “Samvincible” Sam Jarmer is a junior at Saint Rose High School in Belmar who suffered a spinal injury when he was lifeguarding at Ocean Grove beach last July. Initially paralyzed from the chest down, Jarmer has made progress and his positive attitude and support are helping him make remarkable progress. The Saint Rose hockey team which is a tri-op with Donovan Catholic and Red Bank Catholic donated all of the proceeds from their senior night game against Notre Dame to help the Jarmer family with extraneous expenses. With a $5000 from a bank and over $2000 raised thanks to a capacity crowd on hand for the Frozen Roses 7-3 win over the Irish, it was a special night at Jersey City Arena in Wall. JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis spoke with an inspirational high school student who’s determined to get back on the beach: Please visit this link provided by Saint Rose High if you want to learn how you can help the Jarmer family and purchase “Samvincible” items: https://www.srhsnj.com/support-us/jarmer Here are JSZ’s highlights of Saint Rose’s 7-3 win over Notre Dame:
Marist’s Mission: Players Not Relenting Despite Impending School Closure
The news announced to the Marist High School community earlier this month echoed the same story heard at dozens upon dozens of private catholic schools across New Jersey. Despite attempts to fundraise, declining enrollment numbers would force the Bayonne-based school to close in June 2020 after being open for more than 70 years. Marist High School was an established part of Hudson County’s athletic history. The Royal Knights were among the most competitive teams from that area and even flirted with the nation’s top ranking in the late-1990’s. But now that the student athletes know their fate, they’re using it as motivation. The boys’ basketball team is one of the best in Hudson County and the state this season and they plan to go out with a bang. JSZ’s Jay Cook has the story about change, determination and learning valuable life lessons:
Former Devils great Driver builds powerhouse girls hockey program at Morristown-Beard
Bruce Driver had a stellar 15-year NHL career highlighted by a 1995 Stanley Cup win with the New Jersey Devils. That was just the first chapter of the defenseman’s hockey journey. Driver has spent the last 20 years coaching the Morristown-Beard girls hockey program approaching the 300 career win mark. The Crimson has won three straight NJ Prep championships and seven titles in the Women’s Interscholastic League of the Mid-Atlantic in Driver’s tenure. The NJSIAA is having its first girls hockey state championship this March as the sports continues to grow. Driver has been there since the very beginning and is excited to see where New Jersey girls ice hockey is headed. JSZ spoke with Driver and the Morristown-Beard girls after their 5-0 win over Trinity Hall to reach 8-1-1 on the season:
Recruiting
Camden’s Alijah Clark Commits to Rutgers
Rutgers’ 2020 recruiting class was filled with some of the Garden State’s best players. Now the Scarlet Knights have landed their first commitment in the class of 2021. Camden athlete Alijah Clark made a verbal commitment to Rutgers, announcing the news on his Twitter account. Clark reeled in five touchdown catches for the Panthers last fall, before an injury at quarterback changed The High’s offensive focus to the running game. Clark also finished with a pair of rushing touchdowns and five interceptions for The High in 2019, leading Camden to the Central Jersey Group 2 final. Check out new Rutgers commit Alijah Clark in action: #All in pic.twitter.com/Fnmxe7WdlP— (Cinco)Alijah Clark5️⃣ (@cinco_agent) February 6, 2020 Coverage of Camden is brought to you by Cooper University Health Care.
All-American Jalen Berger Commits to Wisconsin
The wait is over. Jalen Berger — a 2019 JSZ Zoneman Finalist and the consensus No. 1 ranked player in New Jersey’s Class of 2020 — has officially announced his commitment to Wisconsin. Berger made his decision official during the NBC broadcast of the 2020 All-American Bowl from the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Saturday afternoon. Committed!! AGTG #OnWisconsin 🦡 pic.twitter.com/cZLXzNhdwq— Jalen Berger (@JalenBerger) January 4, 2020 His announcement caps off a remarkable high school career for a player who was a national recruit courted by most, if not all, of college football’s elite programs. Watch Jalen Berger’s 2019 Highlight Reel HERE The Wisconsin to New Jersey connection is clear. Former Salem High School and South Jersey star running back Jonathan Taylor spent the last three seasons in Madison, putting together one of the best collegiate careers in NCAA history. Taylor was recently named an All-American and Doak Walker Award winner for the second consecutive season. He picked the Badgers over LSU, Penn State, Rutgers, UCLA, Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon and many others. The six-foot, 190-pound Newark native was a dynamic and dominant offensive player in his four-year varsity tenure at perennial North Jersey powerhouse Don Bosco Prep. Although he’s officially listed as a running back, the Ironmen offensive staff used Berger in a multitude of formations. On any given down, he could be found in the backfield, lined up in the slot, cast out wide or even in the shotgun taking a snap. His prowess on the gridiron translated to eye-popping numbers in his senior season. He accounted for 1,081 rushing yards, 338 receiving and 18 total touchdowns while leading his team to the Non-Public Group 4 state championship at MetLife Stadium. Berger headlined New Jersey’s representation at the 2020 All-American Bowl. Joining him were St. Joe’s (Mont.) OL Luke Wypler (Ohio State); St. Peter’s Prep LB Cody Simon (Ohio State); Bergen Catholic DB Jordan Morant (Michigan) and Delran DB RJ Moten (Michigan). Berger was one of six finalists for JSZ’s Zoneman Trophy given to the top high school football player in New Jersey:
Football Early Signing Day has dozens of JSZ All-Zoners sign to play college football
It used to be that the first Wednesday in February was the biggest day in the high school football recruiting cycle, but the December early signing day has become even more important to college football programs. Jersey Sports Zone has full coverage of athletes around New Jersey making their college decisions official. We’ll continue to update this page throughout the day. Don Bosco Prep Kyle Monangai held over 25 D-1 offers but was longing for more attention from Power 5 programs. Monangai, a 2019 JSZ Zoneman Finalist, caught the eye of Rutgers head coach Greg Schiano and has announced his commitment to play with the Scarlet Knights in the Big 10. JSZ’s Jay Cook has the story from Ramsey: Red Bank Catholic The Caseys have a tradition of turning out college football talent and it continues with Kevin Bauman signing at Notre Dame and Charlie Gordinier heading to the ACC and the Boston College Eagles: Paramus Catholic Devin Willock followed his gut. After decommitting from Penn State last week, Willock quickly made the decision to head to the SEC and sign his NLI with the University of Georgia with family as the deciding factor. Willock is one of three N.J. players to commit to SEC programs so far this season. JSZ’s Jay Cook has the story from Paramus Catholic: Ocean Township Trebor Pena was voted Shore Conference Player of the Year by multiple media outlets and the Ocean Township running back had the numbers to back it up with over 1500 yards on the ground and 19 TD’s. Pena was an original commit to Temple but made the switch in November to Syracuse University. He’s ready to make the transition from running back to slot receiver. Watch a great signing day ceremony from Ocean Township High: Cedar Creek Malachi “Max” Melton made a verbal commitment to Purdue over the summer. But after a coaching change at Rutgers, Melton flipped to the Scarlet Knights. Melton’s older brother Bo will be a senior wide receiver for Rutgers next fall. In fact both of their parents were athletes for the Scarlet Knights as well. JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the story from Egg Harbor City: Williamstown Aaron Lewis led Williamstown to back-to-back South Jersey Group 5 titles. Now Lewis is heading to Michigan, to try and help the Wolverines capture a Big Ten title. Meanwhile, fellow Braves seniors Jon Wood and Quinn Hart will remain teammates at the next level, as both sign with Sacred Heart. JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the story: More Signings from around New Jersey Bryon Shipman🏈 Wide Receiver🏈 Career over 50 catches, 1,000 receiving yards, 10 TDs, 20.3 per rec🏈 Jersey Sports Zone All-ZoneSPP ➡️ Holy Cross📲 @byronship_11 pic.twitter.com/4FFkL9oZ4x— St. Peter's Football (@SPPFootball) December 18, 2019 Isaiah Wright🏈 O/D Lineman🏈 All-State Honorable Mention🏈 Mini Max Award Recipient🏈 Jersey Sports Zone All-ZoneSPP ➡️ Rutgers University📲 @Mr_Renaissance_ pic.twitter.com/wgb9SnrDXd— St. Peter's Football (@SPPFootball) December 18, 2019 Welcome to the F.A.M.I.L.Y. @ShawnCollins10_ #CHOP pic.twitter.com/lgzFtknFBo— Greg Schiano (@GregSchiano) December 18, 2019 Welcome to the F.A.M.I.L.Y. @ReeeemX_ #CHOP pic.twitter.com/u0GnzcfCID— Greg Schiano (@GregSchiano) December 18, 2019 Welcome to the F.A.M.I.L.Y. @iamv15k #CHOP pic.twitter.com/ty21gpEyLI— Greg Schiano (@GregSchiano) December 18, 2019 Welcome to the F.A.M.I.L.Y. @bfelter1008 #CHOP pic.twitter.com/NYFmbihCNb— Greg Schiano (@GregSchiano) December 18, 2019 Welcome to the F.A.M.I.L.Y. @mack_elijuwan #CHOP pic.twitter.com/MczWpoz9Qm— Greg Schiano (@GregSchiano) December 18, 2019 Welcome to the F.A.M.I.L.Y. @AhmirrRobinson #CHOP pic.twitter.com/XpWQTJpQR9— Greg Schiano (@GregSchiano) December 18, 2019 Welcome to the F.A.M.I.L.Y. @Hunchoboychris #CHOP pic.twitter.com/yqY80Ol2fI— Greg Schiano (@GregSchiano) December 18, 2019 🅳🅴🅵🅸🅽🅸🅽🅶 the future of #Boilermaker football. Welcome to the family, @michael_alaimo.📍: Montvale, N.J.📏: 6-4 QB📈: Played at @SJRHighSchoolℹ️: https://t.co/QL7InhxuCk#BoilerUp x #NSD20 pic.twitter.com/Yu09Czh239— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) December 18, 2019 🅳🅴🅵🅸🅽🅸🅽🅶 the future of #Boilermaker football. Welcome to the family, @Clydewash42.📍: Mount Laurel, N.J.📏: 6-3 LB📈: Played at Lenape HSℹ️: https://t.co/QL7InhxuCk#BoilerUp x #NSD20 pic.twitter.com/G7LcRUbWAl— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) December 18, 2019 Congrats on your first 🅳🅴🅵🅸🅽🅸🅽🅶 🅼🅾🅼🅴🅽🆃 as a #Boilermaker, @SanoussiKane1. Welcome to the family.📍: Blairstown, N.J.📏: 6-0 S📈: Played for the @blairbucsℹ️: https://t.co/QL7InhxuCk#BoilerUp x #NSD20 pic.twitter.com/Va29Zw66KX— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) December 18, 2019 We’ve added a silent guardian, a watchful protector who earned First Team All-Jersey. Welcome, @leonlowery5!#JuicedUp | #NSD20 pic.twitter.com/3wyLYSzUm9— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) December 18, 2019
The Schiano Effect: JSZ All-Zoners flip commitments to Rutgers
Watch JSZ highlight reels of the newest commitments to Rutgers and follow along as the recruiting trail heats up leading to Wednesday’s early Signing Day period. On Tuesday, Rutgers head football coach Greg Schiano spoke at the third annual Jersey Sports Zone football banquet in front of the state’s top players talking about the importance of recruiting in-state talent. In the span of three days, Schiano and his staff have managed to get three members of JSZ’s All-Zone team to switch from Power 5 commitments to stay in-state and be part of the Scarlet Knights football program. That number could continue to grow leading up to the first early signing day period this Wednesday: Chris Long, Willingboro An original commit to Temple, Long was recruited by Fran Brown to Philadelphia. Long gave a glimpse of his future when he had a 7 catch, 212 yard, 3 TD performance at SHI Stadium in the Chimeras 50-14 win over Penns Grove in the South Group 1 championship. Long finished with South Jersey’s single-season receiving yards record topping 1600 yards with 20 TD catches. Brown was on the sidelines for the Willingboro victory and two days later Long announced his switch from the Owls to Rutgers: I just want to thank God because without him none of this would even be possible. For the next 3-4 years I will be taking my Talents to Rutgers University. Represent My state🙏🏾 #Chopnation @GregSchiano @RUCoachFran pic.twitter.com/C3dwAYoEHu— Chris Long™️ (@Hunchoboychris) December 10, 2019 Max Melton, Cedar Creek Wide Receiver Melton was a Big Ten commit to Purdue, but he is now on his way to Piscataway. Melton will join his older brother Bo on the Scarlet Knights roster and is projected to play in the secondary in college: COMMITTED⚔️‼️… Thanking God for every blessing he has given me. I will be representing my home state! #ChopNation @RUCoachFran @GregSchiano pic.twitter.com/7BYUu50In7— Malachi "Max" Melton (@melton_max) December 11, 2019 Tyreem Powell, Vineland Linebacker Another big name from South Jersey makes the switch. The original Virginia Tech commit made the switch to Rutgers. Projected as a linebacker in college, Powell played quarterback showing off his athleticism in his senior season at Vineland: IM STAYING HOME ! 🛡 ⚔️ #ChopNation @GregSchiano @RUCoachFran pic.twitter.com/UQNjjQrns4— Tyreem Powell (@ReeeemX_) December 12, 2019 Greg Schiano at JSZ Football Banquet Watch coverage of Greg Schiano’s visit to the JSZ Football Banquet including reaction from high school coaches in the Garden State along with Schiano’s message to the top players in the state:
Bergen Catholic Big Man Heading to South Bend
Bergen Catholic does it again — the Crusaders have produced yet another D-I basketball talent. Matt Zona, a 6-9 force on all areas of the court, announced Monday his commitment to join the Notre Dame Men’s Basketball program. The Class of 2020 power forward averaged 12.7 points per game, balancing his scoring between the low post and his high percentage three-point shot. Zona chose Notre Dame over other programs like Rutgers, Penn State, St. Joseph’s and George Washington, among a handful of other schools. Zona commanded a Bergen Catholic front court alongside Zach Freemantle, a Class of 2019 Xavier commit, en route to a Non-Public A state championship and a spot in the New Jersey Tournament of Champions final. The Crusaders ultimately lost to Ranney School in that game. Watch his JSZ junior year highlight reel here: Sponsor Shoutout! Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of all Bergen Catholic athletics is brought to you by Rothman Orthopaedics.
Lance Ware Commits to Kentucky
Lance Ware will be making the jump from the Olympic Conference to the SEC next year. The Camden senior committed to play basketball at the University of Kentucky, choosing the Wildcats over his other finalists; Michigan, Miami, Ohio State and Providence. Ware is considered a four-star recruit, and averaged 11.6 points per game to go along with 9.6 rebounds per game last winter. Ware is following in the footsteps of Camden legends Dajuan Wagner and Arthur Barclay, who played for John Calipari at the University of Memphis nearly 20 years ago. Watch future Kentucky Wildcat Lance Ware in action here: Coverage of Camden is brought to you by Cooper University Health Care.
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