Basketball
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.
Wheels Up….to Italy. Ranney’s Phil Wheeler skips high school and college for pros
Phil Wheeler electrified JSZ highlights last winter helping Ranney to its first Tournament of Champions title. The rising senior in high school who was reported to be transferring to the Patrick School has made the decision to forgo his final season of high school to sign a professional contract to play for Stella Azzurra’s academy which is a feeder program to their pro team in Italy. By playing overseas, Wheeler will not be able to play college basketball. This story was first reported stateside by Adam Zagoria of Zags Blog and Josh Newman of the Asbury Park Press: Here’s the Instagram post from Phillip Wheeler’s agent on his plan to sign with an Italian youth team. Wheeler did not have the grades for college and they felt this was the best route for him. pic.twitter.com/Zup9wjNKJl— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) August 7, 2019 NEW: Phil Wheeler, who helped Ranney to a Tournament of Champions crown last season as a junior, has signed with an Italian club. Wild move amidst rumors of an imminent transfer. MORE COMING: https://t.co/p9XytKlcZL pic.twitter.com/YSGGJKYRgb— Josh Newman (@Joshua_Newman) August 7, 2019 Wheeler spent his first two years at Rumson-Fair Haven before joining Ranney in his junior campaign. He made his season debut on January 13 and went on to average just under 11 points a game providing an athletic burst to Ranney’s rotation matching skyscraping dunks with Bryan Antoine and Scottie Lewis. The class of 2020 recruit had picked up five Division I offers from Saint John’s, Richmond, Monmouth, Seton Hall, and Providence, but college is now off the table as Wheeler looks to make an impact in Italy with the hopes of getting an NBA opportunity down the road. Watch JSZ’s highlight reel of Phillip Wheeler’s junior season:
Thweatt Picks His Elite Eight
Wildwood Catholic forward Taj Thweatt is one of the state’s top Division I basketball prospects. With the summer AAU slate coming to a close, Thweatt has narrowed his college choices to eight schools: Thweatt scored 20.9 points per game in his junior campaign and teamed up with recent Temple commit Jahlil White to lead the Crusaders to a 27-2 record. Here’s JSZ’s highlight reel of a dynamic inside-outside threat:
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!
JSZ Year in Review: Top Boys Basketball Games 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. We’ll continue the series here with boys basketball. The 2018-2019 season in New Jersey boys basketball was truly one for the record books. We were graced with three McDonald’s All-Americans (Scottie Lewis, Bryan Antoine and Kahlil Whitney) along with plenty of other top-tier talent — it all resulted in a thrilling season. Here’s a look back on the Top 10 most viewed games captured by JSZ cameras. #10 Roselle Catholic 48 Gill St. Bernard’s 44 | Non-Public B North Final Led by Kentucky commit Kahlil Whitney, Roselle Catholic battled and won their second straight sectional championship against Rutgers commit Paul Mulcahy and his Gill St. Bernard’s Knights. #9: Ranney 63 Don Bosco Prep 51 Villanova commit Bryan Antoine had an early season feast against the Ironmen back in mid-December. Antoine dropped 33 points — the third-highest point total in his final season. #8: Ranney 84 West Nottingham 72 Ranney secured a 12-point win against out-of-state opponent West Nottingham in the first game of the highly-anticipated senior seasons for the dynamic duo of Bryan Antoine and Scottie Lewis. #7: Ranney 56 Bergen Catholic 55 Ranney’s toughest test of the year to this point came on January 12 when the Panthers staved off a late-game push to defeat Bergen Catholic at the Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase at Brookdale Community College. #6: Gill St. Bernard’s 62 Ranney 60 Much of the hype this past season was on Ranney and Roselle Catholic, but it was Gill St. Bernard’s who shocked the NJ basketball scene by delivering Ranney it’s first in-state loss of the season. Forward Connor Murphy led the way with 20 points and 11 rebounds in the win at Kean University. #5: Ranney 54 Wildwood Catholic 50 | Non-Public B South Final Talk about going down to the wire — Wildwood Catholic gave everything they had in an overtime thriller, but it was Ranney’s postseason experience that proved to be the difference. Scottie Lewis led all players with 17 points and 13 rebounds in the win. #4: Roselle Catholic 62 Patrick School 61 Union County’s most intense rivalry did not disappoint as the Lions and Celtics went to the final second in an even battle. Kahlil Whitney recorded a 25 point, 10 rebound double-double — it was his sixth double-double on the season. #3: Ranney 56 Roselle Catholic 50 | Non-Public B State Final Ranney fell to Roselle Catholic in the final seconds of the 2018 Non-Public B state final, but did get exact revenge against the Lions in the state playoffs. Kahlil Whitney scored 26 points in his final high school game and Bryan Antoine led the Panthers with 21 as Ranney secured its first ever state championship in program history. #2: Ranney 67 Bergen Catholic 63 | Tournament of Champions Final After four years and over a hundred wins, Ranney’s legacy on the hardwood reached the ultimate peak when the Panthers defeated Bergen Catholic to win the 2019 Tournament of Champions final. It was the final high school game for the decorated and historic duo of Scottie Lewis and Bryan Antoine. #1: Ranney 61 Roselle Catholic 49 The most hyped game of 2019 came in a regular season bout between Ranney and Roselle Catholic. It was the first time the two schools met after Roselle Catholic’s late-game heroics to win the Non-Public B state title over Ranney in March of 2018. McDonald’s All-Americans Scottie Lewis, Bryan Antoine and Kahlil Whitney were all honored in a pre-game ceremony and even Kentucky head coach John Calipari was in attendance.
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:
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
College coaches flock to Princeton for Prep showcase
The Hun School is hosting Prep schools from ten other states in an NCAA certified scholastic event. Saint Benedict’s Prep joined the Raiders playing with teams from ten other states. With two courts running simultaneously throughout the weekend, over 50 college coaches are expected to visit Princeton this weekend. On the opening night of action, there were over two dozen coaches on hand to see Saint Benedict’s Prep dominate Malvern Prep. Shortly after the game, two Gray Bees picked up Division I offers. Aaron Estrada earned an offer from Drexel while Toby Okani was offered by Mount Saint Mary’s. The host school has six rising seniors who are all hungry to pick up their first college offer. JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the story on the Mid-Atlantic Independent School Shootout: Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of the Hun School is made possible by our friends at Princeton Orthopaedic Associates
Blair’s Jabri Abdur-Rahim Will Soon Announce Top 8!
Four-star basketball forward, Jabri Abdur-Rahim will announce his Top 8 college choices in the near future. The son of former NBA player, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, has over 30 colleges to choose from, some of which have the best college basketball programs in the country. Rahim is waiting to go on some upcoming college visits to help him determine where he would like to end up. His soonest visit will be with University of Virginia on June 28. JSZ’s Madison Bess caught up with Rahim at the Mid-Atlantic Shootout on Sunday to discuss his plans and goals moving forward:
Top 2020 Shooter Wilcher Commits to Xavier Musketeers
Arguably the best pure shooter in New Jersey’s Class of 2020 has made his college plans public, and Big East fans better get to know his name fast. St. Benedict’s Prep’s CJ Wilcher, a 6’5 shooting guard with a killer jumpshot, announced on social media earlier this afternoon a verbal commitment to the Xavier Musketeers. Commited!!!⚔️ pic.twitter.com/PUT53srf3V— CJ Wilcher (@CJWilcher) June 7, 2019 Wilcher, who was named to Jersey Sports Zone’s 2019 All-Zone basketball team, was the top scoring threat on a Gray Bees squad that reached a 27-5 record and made it to the NJISAA Prep A state final. Wilcher quickly transitioned from a role-playing three-point shooter as a sophomore into a legitimate top-tier scoring threat in his junior campaign at the Newark prep school. Watch JSZ’s highlight reel of CJ Wilcher here: Xavier’s scouts have made a home picking up talented New Jersey players. Bergen Catholic power forward Zach Freemantle (Class of 2019) was one of their most prized signees last summer. Stay tuned with Jersey Sports Zone throughout the summer as we update you on college commitments for top NJ players as well as top-level highlight reels.
Patrick School Guard Commits to Bonnies
Alejandro Vasquez has found a Division I home. The Patrick School guard has committed to play in the Atlantic 10 at Saint Bonaventure University. Watch JSZ’s highlight reel of the guard who has a knack to make big plays! The Patrick School featured two Division I guards in Clemson’s Al-Amir Dawes and Bucknell’s Alexander Rice. A third guard from the Pats joins the mix as Alejandro Vasquez announced his commitment to play for Saint Bonaventure. Vasquez average 17.1 points per game highlighted by averaging 24.5 points per game in a pair of games against national power Roselle Catholic. Saint Bonaventure went 18-16 last year falling by two points (55-53) to Saint Louis in the Atlantic 10 championship game. Head coach Mark Schmidt has a nucleus of diamonds in the rough with New Jersey roots. Union Catholic’s Kyle Lofton was an All-A10 freshman after averaging nearly 17 points a game and Mainland’s Osunniyi was one of the top shot blockers in the nation as a freshman. Montclair Immaculate’s Justice Winston joins this duo in the mix along with Vasquez. 110% Committed ⚫️⚪️🐺 #Gobonnies pic.twitter.com/7CKzw1T2ks— Alejandro Vasquez (@1amalejandro) May 30, 2019
Ranney’s Bryan Antoine undergoes shoulder surgery
JSZ’s 2019 Mister Hoop Zone is already on campus at Villanova and is on the mend after getting a torn labrum repaired. The guard underwent successful surgery on Friday. The procedure was performed by Villanova Team Surgeon, Dr. William Emper. The McDonald’s All-American is hopeful to be back on the court in time to debut for the Wildcats at the beginning of the 2019-20 college basketball season. “This is a tough start for Bryan,” stated Villanova head coach Jay Wright in a press release. “But he’s a very mature young man and he’ll work very hard to get himself back as soon as possible.” Antoine played through the pain of his shoulder injury during Ranney’s run to its first ever Tournament of Champions title. The guard will begin rehab as he takes summer classes at Villanova. Antoine discussed his shoulder pain in our JSZ Mister Hoop Zone feature on the recently graduated senior:
Mainland’s Watson Commits to Oregon
One of the top high school basketball players in the country has made her college choice. Mainland’s Kylee Watson has given a verbal commitment to play in the Pac 12 for the Oregon Ducks. Watch JSZ’s highlight reel of the dynamic forward! Kylee Watson is one of the top ranked recruits in the class of 2020 and her name has come off the board after the Mainland versatile forward gave a verbal commitment to play for the Oregon Ducks. Watson is a two-time JSZ All-Zone selection and led Mainland to the school’s first-ever state championship in girls basketball. Watson had offers from nearly every major basketball program in the country. The five-star prospect is ranked #18 in the class of 2020 by ESPNW. Watch JSZ’s highlight reel of the newest Oregon Duck and we’re looking forward to more highlights from Kylee in her senior season
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
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.
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
Scottie Lewis Brings Home Fourth Shore Dunk Title!
As if he doesn’t already have enough hardware from his high school career, Ranney’s Scottie Lewis captured his fourth straight Shore All-Star Dunk Contest Title Thursday night. The University of Florida commit that helped lead his team to their first ever Tournament of Champions Crown this season was the act to beat in Toms River. Lewis having won the previous three years automatically advanced to the final round as his colleagues got three dunks and two rounds to face off with him. Wall’s Quinn Calabrese made his presence known as he reached the Championship, but it was the McDonald’s All-American that walked away with his last Shore Dunk Title to end his high school career a perfect 4-0. JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez has the story:
Antoine and Miller take home top honors at 2019 JSZ Hoop Zone Banquet
Nearly 90 high school basketball players around the state came to the Renaissance Hotel in Woodbridge to celebrate a fantastic 2018-19 season. Ranney’s Bryan Antoine is JSZ’s 2019 Mister Hoop Zone and Franklin’s Diamond Miller is Miss Hoop Zone 2019. Jersey Sports Zone thanks everyone for attending from every part of the state! All-Americans Antoine and Miller Steal the Show with Top Awards Villanova-commit Bryan Antoine and future Maryland Terrapin Diamond Miller decisively won the Mister Hoop Zone and Miss Hoop Zone awards, respectively. Both players take their newly-minted honors with them to Atlanta next week when they’ll both compete in the McDonald’s All-American Game. JSZ’s Jay Cook and Mike Frankel have the story: Sights and Sounds from the Banquet Before the players, coaches and family sat down for dinner and watch our videos, JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez and Madison Bess were in our social media zone talking with the honorees and getting the festivities started. Bryan Antoine wins 2019 JSZ Mister Hoop Zone With a podium featuring three McDonald’s All-Americans, Ranney’s Bryan Antoine won the vote among coaches and statewide media. The Villanova signee closed out his high school career as the Shore Conference’s all-time leading scorer with over 2,500 points and teamed with fellow finalist Scottie Lewis to lead the Panthers first ever Tournament of Champions title. Antoine won the vote over Lewis, the Roselle Catholic duo of Kahlil Whitney and Josh Pierre-Louis and Gill St. Bernard’s Paul Mulcahy, who’s on his way to Rutgers. 2019 Mr. Hoop Zone Balloting Coaches: Kevin Diviero – Don Bosco Prep, Anthony Tavares – Newark East Side, Daniele Crincoli – St. Mary’s Elizabeth, Ben Gamble – Marist, Justin Salton – Watchung Hills, Mike Clemente – Central Regional, Mike Jones – Millville, Cameron Bell – Egg Harbor, Kevin Principe – River Dell, Billy Armstrong – Bergen Catholic, Ryan McKeever – Immaculata, Matt Bloom – Rutgers Prep, Dave Boff – Roselle Catholic, Daryl Young – Trenton, Chris Raba – Nottingham, Rich Roche – Notre Dame, Randy Holmes – Lakewood, Mike Puorro – Barnegat, Mergin Sina – Gill St. Bernard’s Media: Richard Greco – NJ.Com, Adam Zagoria – NY Times, Dave’s Joint, Sherlon Christie – Asbury Park Press, Mike Kinney – NJ.Com, Phil Anastasia – Philadelphia Inquirer, Rich Chrampanis – JSZ, Jay Cook – JSZ, Nery Rodriguez – JSZ Name High School 1st 2nd 3rd Total Bryan AntoineRanney193366 Scottie LewisRanney212737 Kahlil WhitneyRoselle Catholic191130 Paul MulcahyGill St. Bernard's63529 Diamond Miller wins 2019 JSZ Miss Hoop Zone Franklin guard Diamond Miller had a perfect season and a perfect ending to her high school career when she won JSZ’s 2019 Miss Hoop Zone. The McDonald’s All-American will represent New Jersey in the national showcase in Atlanta. Miller is signed with the University of Maryland. Future teammate Faith Masonius of Manasquan was a fellow finalist along with Saddle River Day’s Michelle Sidor (Michigan), Gloucester Catholic’s Azana Baines (Duke) and Manchester’s Leilani Correa (West Virginia). 2019 Miss Hoop Zone Balloting Coaches: Mark Knapp – Gill St. Bernard’s, Kathy Matthews – Union Catholic, Dawn Karpell – Saint John Vianney, Lisa Gedaka – Gloucester Catholic, Jacquelyn Dyer – Cranford, Bob Fusik – Trenton Catholic, John Truhan – Red Bank Regional, Michael Lazur – Ocean, Scott Beston – Mainland, Tammy Nicolini – Barnegat, Joe Montano – Red Bank Catholic, David Drew – Point Pleasant Boro, Lisa Kukoda – Manasquan, Jason Lantz – Atlantic City – Pete Vincent – Hudson Catholic, Audrey Taylor – Franklin, Steve Silver – Immaculate Heart Academy Media: Gregg Lerner – Shore Sports Network, Danny LoGuidice – Asbury Park Press, Brian Deakyne – NJ.com, Rich Chrampanis – JSZ, Jay Cook – JSZ, Nery Rodriguez – JSZ Name High School 1st 2nd 3rd Total Diamond MillerFranklin183161 Faith MasoniusManasquan27424 Leilani CorreaManchester16518 Michelle SidorSaddle River Day14615 Meet the 2019 JSZ All-Zone Boys Team NameSchoolName SchoolName School Jabri Abdur-RahimSeton Hall PrepVictor KonopkaDon Bosco PrepCJ WilcherSt. Benedict's Prep Babatunde AjikeCamden CatholicZach Martini Gill St. Bernard'sMatt ZonaBergen Catholic Dexter AkannoBlair AcademyBrad McCabeManasquan Anas AmosNewark East SideKyle McGeeSt. Mary's-ElizabethBryan AntoineRanney, 2019 JSZ Mr. Hoop Zone Khalif BattleTrenton CatholicGreg MeyersNew ProvidenceScottie LewisRanney, Mr. HSZ Finalist Dylan BedderNew ProvidenceAshton MillerSeton Hall PrepKahlil WhitneyRoselle Catholic, Mr. HZ Finalist Stephen BraunsteinCBAIan O'ConnorRumson-Fair HavenPaul MulcahyGill St. Bernard's - Mr. HZ Finalist Nick Cartwright-AtkinsMoorestownCliff OmoruyiRoselle CatholicJosh Pierre-LouisRoselle Catholic - Mr. HZ Finalist Jack Cavanaugh SpartaTrey PattersonRutgers Prep Jonah CharlesRutgers PrepNeal QuinnRamapo Josh CohenCBAAlexander RicePatrick School Al-Amir DawesPatrick SchoolColby RogersRoselle Catholic Mike DePersiaHaddonfieldAhmadu SarnorRanney Jordan DingleBlair AcademyDaniel SofieldJackson Liberty Doug EdertBergen CatholicTaj ThweattWildwood Catholic Elijah Hutchins-EverettMontclair ImmaculateLance WareCamden Dan FlemingHaddonfieldJesiah WestElizabeth Zach FreemantleBergen CatholicPhil WheelerRanney Rob HigginsMiddletown NorthJahlil WhiteWildwood Catholic Alex KlatskyRanneyDerrick WhitakerSouth River Meet the 2019 JSZ All Zone Girls Team NameSchoolName SchoolNameSchool Dakota AdamsManchester Twp.Jenna JordanSaddle River DayKylee WatsonMainland Destiny AdamsManchester Twp.Sarah KarpellSaint John Vianney Brelynn BellamySaint John VianneyLauren LithgowSaint RoseDiamond MillerFranklin - JSZ 2019 Miss Hoop Zone Mya BembryWest OrangeOlivia MilesBlair AcademyFaith MasoniusManasquan - Miss HZ Finalist Brielle BisognoToms River NorthAnna MorrisImmaculate Heart AcademyLeilani Correa Manchester- Miss HZ Finalist Taylor BluntPenningtonCortlyn MorrisBound BrookMichelle SidorSaddle River Day - Miss HZ Finalist Sajada BonnerSaint John VianneyLola MullaneyManasquanAzana BainesGloucester Catholic - Miss HZ Finalist Emma BosletBishop AhrOlivia MullinsRutgers Prep Isla BrennanMiddletown SouthShannon MulroyLenape Syndei CaldwellSaddle River DayJaida PatrickSaddle River Day Maniya CustisTrenton CatholicJenna PaulToms River North Daniya DarbyLincolnMariah PerezNewark Tech Dominique DariusBlair AcademyKelsey RansomBishop Ahr Emma DuerrMorris CatholicKemari ReynoldsManchester Twp. LaShae DwyerPatrick SchoolKennady SchenckFranklin Brynn FarrellSaint RoseKeona ShenckFranklin Breyanna FrazierMaristKira SidesMiddle Township Brazil Harvey-CarrLeap AcademyKenna SquierPope John Rahmena HendersonSaint John VianneyTaneshia TuckerUniversity Giana Hernandez-BouldenTrenton CatholicAmanda UlrichSecaucus Leah JohnsonPenningtonCaileigh WalshGill St. Bernard's Dezonie, Wright win JSZ Hoops Plays of the Year Thanks to everyone who voted for our JSZ Plays of the Year. Hudson Catholic’s Shane Dezonie won Dunk of the Year and Red Bank Catholic’s MJ Wright won clutch play of the year for his buzzer beater against Marlboro at the WOBM Christmas Classic. Take Our Poll Take Our Poll
Meet the JSZ 2019 Mr. Hoop Zone Finalists!
Jersey Sports Zone is proud to announce the five finalists for the 2019 Mr. Hoop Zone Award, our boys basketball Player of the Year voted on by various coaches and media from across the Garden State. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, March 20 during JSZ’s second annual All-Zone Basketball Banquet at the Renaissance Hotel in Woodbridge. Watch our profiles of these five outstanding players and learn more about JSZ’s top basketball honor. Be sure to check out our Miss Hoop Zone finalists as well! Last Year’s Winner: Bryan Antoine – Ranney This Villanova University bound four year starter has been the hype surrounding one of the most up and coming programs in New Jersey. Bryan Antoine dazzles fans with his electrifying dunks and quick scoring, but it’s his play in games that matters most. Antoine capped of a season in which he received McDonald’s All-American honors, became the Shore Conferece’s All-Time leading scorer with 2,481 points and led Ranney to a State Title with the program’s first ever Tournament of Champions crown. Kahlil Whitney – Roselle Catholic When Kahlil Whitney takes the floor, the price of admission feels like a steal. One of the state’s three McDonald’s All-Americans this year, Whitney is a versatile player that is willing to do whatever to help his team win. After making the move from Chicago to NJ to play for Roselle Catholic, Kahlil put the country on notice with his heart stopping slams and signature spin move to the basket, even earring an offer from the University of Kentucky. He will continue his basketball career as a Wildcat after leading RC to back to back Union County and State Sectional Titles. Scottie Lewis – Ranney One half of “The Greatest Show in Monmouth County” Scottie Lewis was the other key component in Tournament of Champions winners Ranney’s historical run. Lewis much like his counterpart Bryan Antoine has spoiled the Garden State the last four seasons with a barrage of dunks that will forever be embedded in the minds of high school basketball fans. The McDonald’s All-American will continue his college career as a Gator at the University of Florida. Josh Pierre-Louis – Roselle Catholic Not often two sets of teammates share the podium for our highest basketball honor, but this year it was undeniable that Josh Pierre Louis was a game changer in New Jersey. Roselle Catholic’s point guard who garnered national attention this season helped lead the Lions to another County and Sectional Title with his 69 steals and 14.2 PPG. After recently de-committing from the University of Las Vegas, Pierre-Louis has reopened up his college recruitment and has offers from Georgia, Temple, Rutgers, Seton Hall and many more! Paul Mulcahy – Gill St. Bernard’s Two words say it all about this next nominee, “Headband Highlights”. 6’6 Paul Mulcahy is one of the most interesting players on our list for the simple reason you don’t see consistency like this every day. Mulcahy led Gill St. Bernard’s to the Non-Public North Final in a season in which he averaged a Triple Double! The Bayonne native plans to keep exciting New Jersey in his college career when he laces it up for Rutgers University next year.
Meet the JSZ 2019 Miss Hoop Zone Finalists!
Jersey Sports Zone is proud to announce the five finalists for the 2019 Miss Hoop Zone Award, our girls basketball Player of the Year voted on by various coaches and media from across the Garden State. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, March 20 during JSZ’s second annual All-Zone Basketball Banquet at the Renaissance Hotel in Woodbridge. Watch our profiles of these five outstanding players and learn more about JSZ’s top basketball honor. Be sure to check out our Mr. Hoop Zone finalists as well! Last Year’s Winner: Diamond Miller – Franklin Making her second consecutive appearance on the banquet podium, University of Maryland commit Diamond Miller in no stranger to our Miss Hoop Zone process. Fresh off an undefeated season that landed Franklin its second Tournament of Champions Crown, Miller is a five-star recruit that earned Mc Donald’s All-American honors for her overwhelming style of play on both ends of the floor during her Senior season where she averaged 22 PPG and eight rebounds. Michelle Sidor – Saddle River Day Despite standing just 5’7, Michelle Sidor is one of the biggest threats New Jersey has seen in some time. The Michigan bound guard led Saddle River Day to the Tournament of Champions in a season where she averaged 26.5 PPG. JSZ was there earlier this season when Sidor scored her 3,000th career point. Faith Masonious – Manasquan This Shore Conference familiar face has much in common with fellow nominee Diamond Miller, the duo are both nominated for our prestiges award for a second straight year and they will continue their basketball careers as Maryland Terps. Faith Masonious is a team player in every aspect of the game, she’s won a Tournament of Champions Title and helped continue Manasquan’s reign as they captured their third straight State Sectional Championship. In her final season with the Warriors, Masonious switched from Forward to Point Guard to help lead a young ’Squan team through another year in the NJ Top 20. Leilani Correa – Manchester After transferring from Rutgers Prep to Manchester for her Senior year, Leilani Correa quickly made an impact on the small Group 2 program. Correa averaging 16.8 PPG and 7.5 rebounds helped lead the Hawks to their first Shore Conference Tournament Crown and Group 2 State Championship. Leilani will continue her career at West Virginia University. Azana Baines – Gloucester Catholic Making the trip from South Jersey is the pride of Gloucester Catholic, Azana Baines. Baines is a 6’1 Guard that caught the attention of many for her dazzling scoring performances this season that allowed her to finish with 512 points total on the year. Azana will continue turning heads in the ACC next season as a member of the Duke Women’s Basketball team.
Legacy Complete: Ranney wins 1st Tournament of Champions crown
Over 6,800 fans packed the RAC at Rutgers University to watch the Ranney Panthers become the first Shore Conference boys team to earn the Tournament of Champions title. In the final game for McDonald’s All-Americans Bryan Antoine and Scottie Lewis, the Panthers rallied from an 11 point deficit in the third quarter and held on in the final seconds. JSZ has the full highlights and post-game reaction: Ranney 67 Bergen Catholic 63 – Tournament of Champions Boys Final Scottie Lewis scored 20 points and hauled in 11 rebounds and Bryan Antoine scored 17 as Ranney rallied from an 11 point third quarter deficit to win its first ever Touranment of Champions title. Bergen Catholic raced out to a 10-2 lead early and held a 30-21 halftime advantage after a Zach Freemantle slam on an ally-oop to close out the first half. With Antoine and Lewis scoring 18 of Ranney’s 21 first half points, the Panthers supporting cast stepped up in the second half. Phil Wheeler had 14 points and Ahmadu Sarnor added 13. Sarnor broke a 63-63 tie with a free throw and Wheeler brought in a rebound on Bergen’s attempt to win the game. JSZ has the highlights and post-game reaction from a game with plenty of twists and turns:
The Perfect Year: Franklin Finishes 34-0, Wins 2019 TOC Title
It’s as good as any storybook ending you’ll find in high school sports around the country. Franklin was the consensus No. 1 team in the Garden State all season long, they had the consensus No. 1 player lead the way and ended a remarkable 2019 season with the first 34-0 record ever in N.J. girls basketball history. Franklin 65 Saddle River Day 57 – 2019 Tournament of Champions Final In her final high school game at Franklin High School, McDonald’s All-American Diamond Miller put together a game for the ages on the biggest stage of them all. Miller — a University of Maryland commit — stuffed the stat sheet with 25 points, 18 rebounds, 7 assists and 5 blocks to lead the Warriors to a perfect 34-0 record. Franklin is the first team in N.J. girls hoops history to ever reach a 34-0 record and is the first team since Shabazz in 2006 to finish undefeated. JSZ’s Jay Cook has all the highlights and post-game reaction from Toms River: