Basketball

Basketball players in New Jersey’s elite Class of 2022 continue to make waves on the national stage. This time, the headline comes from Jersey City. Mark Armstrong, a four-star combo guard from St. Peter’s Prep, is the latest Garden State product to give a verbal commitment to Villanova University. 2022 four-star Mark Armstrong has committed to Villanova, he tells me. Ranked 40th Nationally per 247Sports. pic.twitter.com/jNp8ogzLZP— Tipton Edits (@TiptonEdits) April 8, 2021 Standing at 6-3 and 165 pounds, Armstrong has been one of the most productive players across the state since his freshman season. The West Orange native averaged 14.2 PPG in 11 contests during a shortened season this past winter. He eclipsed the 1,000 point mark early in the season and has also led the Marauders in scoring in each of the last three seasons. Watch Armstrong’s JSZ Highlight Reel HERE Playing for head coach Alex Mirabel, Armstrong has blossomed into a complete player at St. Peter’s Prep. He’s shown the ability to hit three’s from beyond the arc and slash to the rim with smooth handles and a sweet touch. Armstrong is also active on the defensive end who collects steals and rebounds. Armstrong’s decision to commit to Villanova keeps a pipeline alive from head coach Jay Wright to the Garden State’s elite talent. Former Ranney star Bryan Antoine and former Rutgers Prep standout Trey Patterson are both currently on the roster for the Wildcats, who reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

All this week, JSZ will honor the top players in New Jersey from both girls and boys varsity basketball. Our week long celebration of the 2021 season concludes with the presentation of JSZ’s Mr. and Miss Hoop Zone. Watch highlight videos of every one of our honorees. The New Jersey high school basketball community made the most of a shortened 2021 high school basketball season. Even though there was a maximum of 15 games and no state playoffs, it didn’t stop great players from around the state to shine and make the most of their limited opportunities. All this week, we will honor our All-Zone teams starting with the girls on Monday and Tuesday followed by the boys All-Zoners on Wednesday and Thursday. Coming up on Friday, JSZ will announce our 2021 Mr. and Miss Hoop Zone winners. Click on each player’s name to watch their JSZ highlight reel and congratulations to all of the players who made this year’s JSZ All-Zone team: PUBLIC NON-PUBLIC   Name SchoolName SchoolMr. HZ Finalists Antoine ArnettSterlingDenver AnglinGill St. Bernard'sCorey Floyd, Jr., Roselle Catholic Gannon BradyOcean CityMark ArmstrongSt. Peter's PrepSamson Johnson, Patrick School Jerome BrewerCamdenJayden BrownMontclair ImmaculateWill Richardson, Bergen Catholic Tazir CanteyEasternJulian BrownBergen CatholicBen Roy, Manasquan Christian CevisWest MorrisZion CruzPatrick SchoolDJ Wagner, Camden Jack CollinsManasquanMatt DelaneySt. Augustine Prep Al-Fatir ConnorElizabethRay FordSt. Peter's Prep Jordan DerkackColoniaNoah HarrisRutgers Prep Austin GreenTimber CreekIsaac HesterRanney Aidan KehoePascack HillsZach HicksCamden Catholic Elijah LewisWatchung HillsTristan JeffriesSt. Thomas Aquinas Carlos LopezEgg Harbor Twp.Amare MarshallRoselle Catholic Chad MartiniWatchung HillsKeith Mency Hudson Catholic Diante MilesWildwoodMarcus PierceSt. Joseph Academy Dave OlaniyiNewark East SideElijah PerkinsRanney Chris RubayoMontgomeryJosh RiveraSt. Thomas Aquinas Derek SimpsonLenapeWisler SanonPaul VI Jack SeidlerMarlboroAkil Watson Don Bosco Prep Jon SpatolaMarlboroSimeon WilcherRoselle Catholic TaQuan WoodleyCamdenZakai ZeiglerMontclair Immaculate PUBLIC NON-PUBLIC   Name SchoolName SchoolMiss HZ Finalists Lauren AchterRamapoAbby AntognoliSaint RoseDestiny Adams, Manchester Township Nina BranchizioMonroeA'Nyah BarkerIHAZoe Brooks, Trenton Catholic Amaya BurchTimber CreekEmma BruenSt. John VianneyKatie Hill, St. John Vianney Kiley CapstrawWest OrangeMeg CahalanSt. John VianneyMadison St. Rose, St. John Vianney Rachel CapuaJackson MemorialSaniah CaldwellSaddle River DayAlexa Therien, Cherokee Julia CorsentinoRumson-Fair HavenAlly CarmanRed Bank Catholic Alexis DavisGlassboroChristina DalceRutgers Prep Mary Elizabeth DonnellyManasquanAaylah Del RosarioTrenton Catholic Keegan DouglasHaddonfieldElla FajardoGill St. Bernard's Kate HerlihyMiddle Twp.Hannah HidalgoPaul VI Brooke HollawellManasquanZanai JonesHudson Catholic Tara JohnsonUniversityMarianna PapazoglouWildwood Catholic Lexi Linton Jackson MemorialPaulina ParisSaddle River Day Brynn McCurrySpartaBelle PellecchiaRutgers Prep Colleen McQuillenCresskillJustine PissottRed Bank Catholic Grace MuntRumson-Fair HavenAlana RobinsonPope John Madison SchillerRamapoSophia SabinoRed Bank Catholic Ally SweeneySpartaAngelica VelezTrenton Catholic Chloe TeterRed Bank RegionalCaileigh WalshGill St. Bernard's Bella VitoMontvilleMia YanogacioRutgers Prep JSZ All-Zone Basketball Coverage Monday, March 15: JSZ All-Zone Girls Public Team (20 players) Tuesday, March 16: JSZ All-Zone Girls Non-Public Team (20 players) Wednesday, March 17: JSZ All-Zone Boys Public Team (20 players) Thursday, March 18: JSZ All-Zone Boys Non-Public Team (20 players) Friday, March 19: JSZ 2021 Mr. and Miss Hoop Zone announced

Andrew Solomon’s game-winning layup with 1.4 seconds in overtime was the fitting end to Manasquan’s 12-0 season. COVID affected the Warriors unlike any other basketball program. JSZ goes beyond the score to tell the inspirational story of a team that came together in the face of adversity. The Manasquan boys basketball team faced all sorts of adversity on the court during their perfect 12-0 season in 2021 but it pales in comparison to what the Warriors had to deal with away from the hardwood. Following the Warriors opening game win against Saint Rose, the boys basketball team was shut down due to COVID. During that time, head coach Andrew Bilodeau tested positive for coronavirus and on Feb. 9 the father of Andrew and Matt Solomon passed away due to COVID. Less than a week later, the brothers took to the court with their teammates and continued their shortened season. Bilodeau returned to the team as well but was forced to miss ‘Squan’s final seven games due to health concerns effected by COVID. With Marlboro and Manasquan tied at 56 in the Shore Conference final in overtime, Ben Roy dished to an open Andrew Solomon for the game winning layup in a 58-56 win. The Warriors made the most of their 12-game season scoring wins over Non-Public ranked teams Montclair Immaculate, Don Bosco Prep, Trenton Catholic along with Prep School Life Center Academy. JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the story of how Manasquan came together during a season that was one of the most difficult for high school athletes to endure. To watch JSZ’s extended highlights and post-game reaction of Manasquan’s 58-56 OT win over Marlboro in the SCT final, click here and watch it all with your JSZ All-Access Pass

There was plenty of hardware to be handed on the final Friday of the 2021 basketball season, and our cameras were all over the state to bring you the action. Stay tuned all night has the highlights roll in! Manasquan 58 Marlboro 56 (OT) | Boys | Shore Conference Tournament Pod “A” Final Andrew Solomon […] To access this post, you must purchase an All Access Pass. You can log in here or purchase an All Access Pass here. Become an All Access Pass Holder. You will be redirected to login or purchase page.

JSZ continues to highlight as many teams and players as possible as the season winds down. Check back throughout the night to watch all of the action! Mainland 57 Cedar Creek 23 | Girls The future is certainly bright in Linwood, as a young Mustangs team handled Cedar Creek to collect its 11th win of […] To access this post, you must purchase an All Access Pass. You can log in here or purchase an All Access Pass here. Become an All Access Pass Holder. You will be redirected to login or purchase page.

As the 2021 season winds down, JSZ has highlights from numerous conference playoff games from all over the state. Subscribe with the JSZ All-Access Pass to enjoy all our coverage from Wednesday night! Manasquan 45 CBA 35 | Boys | Shore Conference Tournament Pod “A” Semifinal Manasquan officially punched their ticket back to the Shore […] To access this post, you must purchase an All Access Pass. You can log in here or purchase an All Access Pass here. Become an All Access Pass Holder. You will be redirected to login or purchase page.

Rasheem Harris has been pumping in the points for Florence this season, and that trend continued against Pemberton. Harris scored 27 points against the Hornets to lead the Flashes to victory. He received over 12,400 votes to earn the NJM Insurance JSZ South Jersey Week 4 Game Ball. Take Our Poll South Jersey Game Balls are made possible by NJM Insurance. Thanks for the nominations and the votes this season. We’ll have baseball/softball game balls coming up this spring!

There was plenty of action on the hardwood on Friday night, and as usual JSZ had cameras all over the Garden State. Enjoy the highlights! St. John Vianney 62 Trenton Catholic 55 | Girls One of the most anticipated matchups of the year did not disappoint as St. John Vianney (11-0) defeated Trenton Catholic (9-1) […] To access this post, you must purchase an All Access Pass. You can log in here or purchase an All Access Pass here. Become an All Access Pass Holder. You will be redirected to login or purchase page.