Author: Chris Tsakonas

March 2, 2024March 2, 2024 by Chris Tsakonas

Three-peat, and this one’s for Brix! Colonia finds shooter’s touch after halftime to beat Millburn for third straight North 2, Group 3 state title

The Colonia boys’ basketball team has had a roller coaster couple of weeks, to say the least.

Two Fridays ago, they beat rival St. Thomas Aquinas to take their first Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament championship since 2015.

Just five days later, assistant coach Danny Brix passed away suddenly. The Patriots delayed their playoff opener a day out of respect, and to gather themselves emotionally.

Now, with Brix still on their minds, they’re on top yet again.

Second-seed Colonia (22-8) beat fourth-seed Millburn (22-6) Saturday afternoon at home to win its third straight sectional title, 61-53, and move on for a third straight year to the Group 3 semifinals, where their season has ended each of the last two years.

It was a tight game through the first half, with neither team leading by more than four. Millburn was knocking down threes, but Colonia had yet to find its groove.

After halftime – maybe feeling a little momentum from a thunderous Aiden Derkack dunk that brought the house down just before the break – they found that groove in a big way, jumping out to a double-digit lead, and them some, thanks to a 9-2 run to start the second half, leading at one point 48-34 in the third.

Millburn was able to get it to under ten in the fourth quarter, but Colonia kept at it and was able to hold off the Millers in the end. It was as close as ten with 2:21 left, but the combination of the sophomore Derkack and senior Jaeden Jones were able to help finish it out, hitting baskets and free throws down the stretch.

Derkack finished with 17 points, while Jones had 18, and Zach Smith added 10.

Colonia players are mobbed by their fans after winning their third straight North 2, Group 3 title, after a 61-53 win over Millburn on March 2, 2024. (Photo: Chris Tsakonas)

And afterwards, the team brought out Brix’s seat from the bench, with his jacket, and placed the trophy on it while the team took pictures around it.

Colonia will play its Group 3 semifinal at 4:30 pm this coming Wednesday, March 6, at Bloomfield High School against North 1, Group 3 winner and top-seed Ramapo, a 50-34 winner over second-seed Northern Highlands.

Click below for postgame reaction presented by Sportsplex at Metuchen!

Sophomore Aiden Derkack, senior Jaeden Jones

Colonia head coach Jose Rodriguez

May 2, 2023May 2, 2023 by Chris Tsakonas

Woodbridge looks to veterans to continue hot streak as Perth Amboy comes to town

When you look at Woodbridge baseball this season, one thing stands out: experience.

This year, the Barrons (10-4, 7-3 GMC White) are relying on their experience, returning several of the contributors that powered them to a 25-7 season and a deep state tournament run, which ended in the North 2 Group 4 title game against eventual Group 4 runner-up Hunterdon Central.

One of those veterans will be Eddie Nunez, who will be starting on the mound for Woodbridge against Perth Amboy (0-12, 0-9 GMC White). Nunez has taken his game to another level this year, with a 1.72 ERA in five starts this season.

Offensively, it’s been a collective effort for the Barons, with a team batting average of .324 on the season.

Leading the pack for them has been catcher Tyler Weber, who is hitting a team-high .452 with 16 RBIs. Ty Kobylakiewicz is hitting .400 with 14 runs batted in and two home runs. Drew Lukachyk has also been a power threat, leading Woodbridge with three home runs and 19 RBIs while also batting .400.

Now, the Barrons will look to build off a 4-3 win against Edison – led by a HR and three RBIs from Lukachyk – which earned them a split in the series.

Not only that, but Woodbridge needs just one win against Amboy to clinch sole possession of second place in the White over the 8-3 Eagles, who are done with divisional play.

Listen to Woodbridge head coach Michael Monaco speak about the Barrons’ success ahead of the Perth Amboy game with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Chris Tsakonas:

April 25, 2023April 25, 2023 by Chris Tsakonas

Cumiskey fans 10 to power Spotswood past South River to gain leg up in GMC Blue race

The game featured two future Division 1 baseball players on the mound: Spotswood’s Carter Cumiskey – a Seton Hall Commit – and South River’s Julius Rosado, who’ll one day suit up for Rutgers.

It was Cumiskey who got the better of Rosado this time around, striking out ten, giving up one run, and scattering five hits over five innings to get the win, in a 6-1 win Tuesday afternoon over the Rams in Spotswood.

The victory snapped a two-game skid for the Chargers (10-2) who were undefeated before two non-conference losses this past weekend.

It also puts first-place Spotswood at 7-0 in the Blue Division, with South River in second at 7-2, and would earn them at least clinch a share of the division if the two were to end up tied.

The teams meet again ion South River on Thursday.

South River (7-2) broke the deadlock in the top of the third, when back to back doubles from Rosado and Parker Lane gave them a 1-0 lead.

Spotswood answered in the bottom of the fourth. Casey Cumiskey – Carter’s older brother- scored from second after an errant throw from home plate to tie it, and then Sebby Saracino gave the Chargers the lead by reaching home off a wild pitch.

Spotswood kept that momentum going in the fifth, with John Lubin scoring on another wild pitch before Jackson Walsh hit a two RBI single to make it a 5-1 game. Spotswood would load the bases again in the sixth, leading up to a second run for Lubin after Carter Cumiskey drew a walk.

Spotswood sealed the deal with two scoreless innings from Breckyn DeAngelis, who got three strikeouts on six batters faced.

Rosado took the loss, allowing five runs – three earned – in five innings of work. He struck out seven, but also walked seven.

Click below for postgame reaction from Spotswood’s win over South River:

Spotswood sophomore Carter Cumiskey

Spotswood head coach Glenny Fredricks

April 3, 2023April 3, 2023 by Chris Tsakonas

No. 1 Ridge looks to start ’23 strong as Red Devils face No. 9 Immaculata on road to open season

By all accounts, the Ridge baseball team is the top-ranked team out of Somerset County in all the preseason rankings. Which would have to make them the favorite to win the Somerset County Tournament.

But you can’t do that without starting the season strong, and a good way to do that is to win on Opening Day.

That comes Tuesday when top-ranked Ridge travels out to Flemington’s Diamond Nation to meet No. 9 Immaculata to begin 2023. First pitch is set for 4 pm with pregame at 3:45. Mike Pavlichko and Chris Tsakonas will call all the action. Click here to listen.

Ridge has a mix of newcomers and veterans, both at the plate and on the pitching staff, and head coach Tom Blackwell Sunday night wasn’t ready to commit to a starter yet between his 1a and 1b, Connor Byrne and Brendan Callanan, both of whom are expected to be top pitchers for the Red Devils this season.

Click here to listen to Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Chris Taskonas talk with Ridge head coach Tom Blackwell about the season opener:

February 24, 2023February 24, 2023 by Chris Tsakonas

Colonia rides explosive team scoring in 64-45 N2-G3 semifinal win over South Plainfield

Despite trailing by ten early, fourth-seed Colonia was able to quickly regain its momentum offensively and take charge in the second half as the Patriots beat South Plainfield 64-45 to move on to the North 2, Group 3 title game against the winner of Payne Tech vs Snyder on Monday night.

The Tigers opened on a 12-2 run in the opening four minutes, but the Patriots (21-8) regained the initiative by ending the half with a 30-9 scoring advantage. After leading by 11 at the half, Colonia built on its lead further in the second half and got the stops they needed to stay in control of the game.

It was a collective effort on offense for the Patriots, as five players finished in double figures – led by junior Jaeden Jones with 16 points. It wasn’t just the juniors and seniors lighting up the scoreboard, either: freshman Aiden Derkack had 11 on the night, while sophomore Zach Smith had 12 on four three pointers. James Curet scored 13, while Anthony Gooden also had 11.

For South Plainfield (23-6), Tareak Williams was the leading scorer, scoring 17 points with 2 three-pointers. Also finishing in double figures was Brandon Dean with 15 points. As a team, the Tigers hit six treys, with four of those six coming in the 12-2 run at the beginning of the game.

Colonia now will play in the North 2, Group 3 final for the second straight year, after winning the title in 2022. They will face either 7-seed Payne Tech or 6-seed Snyder at home Monday night.

Click below for postgame reaction from Colonia’s win in the North 2 Group 3 semifinals, brought to you by the SportsPlex at Metuchen: