J.P. Stevens looks to get revenge, build depth in second matchup at No. 8 Middlesex

In the 2023-24 season, J.P. Stevens went 20-6 – including 15-1 and a division crown in the GMC White Division – in head coach Tim Weber’s second season at the helm. But the senior-laden squad – a third-seed in the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament – was knocked out in the first round by 14th-seed Middlesex.

This time, Weber and his team are out for revenge.

The Hawks (3-8, 2-7 GMC White Division) will face off against the Blue Jays (10-4, 7-2 GMC White) for the second time this season, in a game that can be heard on Central Jersey Sports Radio. Pregame is at 5:15, and you can hear all the action with Mike Pavlichko and Alec Crouthamel. Click here to listen.

While this iteration of J.P. Stevens has not gotten off to the same success – in large part due to losing the aforementioned senior leaders – Weber and the Hawks are still looking to develop the talent to take over for the losses and reach the same heights as last season.

It starts with Aliyah Manley, the team’s top scoring option as just a sophomore. She has already surpassed her point total from her freshman season in 15 fewer games, and has filled the leadership role on the floor.

Do-it-all senior Chloe Chan fills the box score elsewhere, leading the team in rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks with a strong midrange game. Weber said Chan has also helped out a lot in providing leadership as a four-year player for J.P. Stevens.

Lining up across the court from the Hawks will be Jess Devine and the rest of the Blue Jays. Devine is the engine of Middlesex’s offense and scored 17 points with six rebounds, five assists, and six steals in the previous meeting between the two, a 66-33 win for the Blue Jays on January 2nd. She also scored 26 points, grabbed six rebounds, and dished eight assists in the 48-39 win over the Hawks in the first round of the GMC Tournament last season.

Weber says their strategy will be to continue to slow the game down and keep longer possessions on offense and defense, armed with a 1-3-1 zone that can help stymie opposing offenses. J.P. Stevens will need all hands on deck from their veterans, as the Hawks look to take down the Blue Jays for the first time in over a calendar year, and snap a four-game skid to get back in the win column.

Click below to hear J.P. Stevens head coach Tim Weber talk about the Hawks’ season and the upcoming game with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Alec Crouthamel: