Happy New Year! We continue to roll around the state and grab some of the best hoops games as the calendar turns over to 2023. Roselle Catholic and Manasquan tussle in a great battle down the shore while St. Thomas Aquinas keeps up the pressure in a GMC showdown. 

Roselle Catholic 68 Manasquan 59 | Boys

The state’s top-ranked Lions deployed a smothering defensive effort in the second half to erase a deficit and secure a win over the Warriors. Trailing 38-31 at the half, Roselle Catholic (2-3) outscored Manasquan (5-2) 13-0 in a third quarter that changed the game. Akil Watson led all Roselle Catholic players with 18 points in the win. Alex Konov turned in a game-high 21 points in the loss for the Warriors.

JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights from Manasquan:

JSZ’s coverage of Roselle Catholic is brought to you by Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth.

St. Thomas Aquinas 81 Monroe 34 | Boys

No. 3 St. Thomas Aquinas improved to 8-0 following an 81-34 win over GMC Red Division foe Monroe. The Trojans with an  impressive first half of scoring led 47-7 at the break. Michael “Deuce Jones” led all scorers with 19 points.

JSZ’s Nery Rodriguez has the highlights from Edison:

Thank you to Princeton Orthopaedic Associates for sponsoring our Monroe coverage.