Tag: Skyland

January 22, 2026January 22, 2026 by Mike Pavlichko

Huge Thursday night GMC-Skyland crossover has No. 6 East Brunswick at No. 4 Hillsborough in rematch of 2025 CJ4 quarterfinals

Last season – the only one in Travis Retzlaff’s first six seasons as head coach besides the COVID year to finish under .500 – the East Brunswick girls basketball team reached the Central Jersey Group 4 quarterfinals.

Maybe they were a little early, but this year they seem right on schedule.

With their roster mostly in tact from last year – plus the return of a standout from injury – the Bears are now ranked No. 6 in the Bellamy & Son Paving Girls’ Basketball Top Ten, and Thursday night, they’ll make the return trip back to Hillsborough to face the No. 4 Raiders, who haven’t seemed to be affected by major graduation losses at all.

You can hear that game Thursday live on Central Jersey Sports Radio, with pregame set for 5:15 and tip-off at 5:30 pm as Mike Pavlichko brings you all the action. Click here to listen.

The Raiders are 12-2 on the season, winners of six straight, a stretch in which they have held five opponents under 40 points, and two under 30.

With the school’s all-time leading scorer Cesci Schiro now at Siena – after scoring 2,106 points, more than any boy or girl in ‘Boro history – and Mya Loniewski and Regan Bice gone, those waiting in the wings have stepped up to complement key returnees like Isabella Ruh, the team’s leading scorer (11.8 ppg) and rebounder (11.9), with 26 blocks.

Nevya Loniewski – Mya’s younger sister – returns, while Alexa Gaspar is chipping in 11 points per game, and Victoria Leidl another 10.1 and a team-best 32 treys.

But it’s Ruh – who killed East Brunswick (12-3) last year with 12 points, six rebounds, and a 4-of-6 night at the free throw line in last season’s Central Jersey Group 4 quarterfinal meeting – who will be part of the key matchup to watch on the night, going up against the Bears’ Julianna DelosSantos-Branson.

“JDB,” as they call her, may give up two inches, but she’s the team’s best rebounder. She’d be a four-year varsity player except that she missed all but five minutes last season recovering from an ACL injury. She’d be rehabbing, and tried to get in an early season game, but it didn’t go well, and she missed the entire rest of the year.

Ava Catanho is the scoring star, a 5-10 sophomore averaging 17.8 points per game with a team-best 28 treys, but also ten blocks to lead the team, and 28 steals, third best among the bears.

Click below to hear Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko preview the game with both head coaches:

Hillsborough head coach Courtney Tierney

East Brunswick head coach Travis Retzlaff

December 30, 2025 by Mike Pavlichko

Updated Tuesday Holiday Tournament Schedule for GMC, Somerset County boys’ and girls’ hoops

Here is the updated Tuesday schedule for holiday tournaments and showcases in both girls’ and boys’ high school basketball, where GMC and Somerset County schools are participating.

BOYS’ BASKETBALL

Butch Kowal Tournament at Rahway HS
Scotch Plains-Fanwood vs. Matawan, 1:30 pm
Carteret vs. Westfield, 3 pm
Perth Amboy vs. Roselle, 4:30 pm
Rahway vs. Rumson-Fair-Haven, 6 pm

Battle at the Bomb Shelter at Sayreville HS
Consolation Game: Union vs. New Dorp (NY), 11:30 am
Championship Game: Sayreville vs. Immaculata, 1 pm

Cougar Classic at Montgomery HS
Montgomery vs. North Hunterdon, 11:30 am
Bridgewater-Raritan vs. Princeton, 1 pm

Anthony J. Cotoia Tournament at South Plainfield HS
Championship Game: Edison vs South Plainfield, 3 pm

Freehold Classic at Freehold Boro HS (rescheduled from Saturday)
Spotswood vs. Holmdel, 11 am
Freehold Boro vs. East Brunswick Magnet, 1 pm

Albert E. Martin Buc Holiday Classic at Red Bank Regional HS
7th Place Game: Old Bridge vs. Long Branch, 12:30 pm
5th Place Game: Middletown South vs. Ranney, 2 pm
3rd Place Game: East Brunswick vs. Red Bank Regional, 3:30 pm
Championship: Howell vs. Marlboro, 5 pm

Peter Tierney Holiday Basketball Tournament at Summit HS (rescheduled from Monday)
Consolation: Summit vs. Governor Livingston, 2:30 pm
Championship: Watchung Hills vs, Millburn, 5:30 pm

Roselle Holiday Hoopfest at Roselle Park HS
Consolation Game: Middlesex vs. Keyport, 9:30 am
Championship Game: Piscataway Magnet vs. Roselle Park, 12:30 pm

Winter Showcase at Paul VI, Wayne
St. Joseph-Metuchen vs. Penn Charter

Artie Flaherty Holiday Tournament at Metuchen HS
Brearley vs. Franklin School (Jersey City), 10 am
Metuchen vs, Voorhees, 11:30 am

KSA Events Holiday Tournament at Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando
Grey Bracket
Pingry vs. Chicago Christian, 10 am on Court 2
Bishop Eustace vs. First Baptist Academy, 10 am on Court 1

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Holiday Hoopfest at Paterson Kennedy HS
Immaculata vs. Roselle Catholic, 1:10 pm
Franklin vs. Saddle River Day, 2:30 pm
Bayonne vs. Immaculate Heart, 3:50 pm
Gill St. Bernard’s vs. West Orange, 5:10 pm

Holmdel Holiday Invitational at Holmdel HS
Manasquan vs. Hudson Catholic, 10 am
Piscataway vs. Marlboro, 11:45 am
East Brunswick vs. Holmdel, 1:30 pm
Mount St. Mary vs. Ranney, 3:15 pm
Somerville vs. Colts Neck, 5 pm

Gene Haley/Jim Muldowney Memorial Holiday Classic at Edison HS
Edison vs. North Plainfield, 10 am
Woodbridge vs. Spotswood, 11:30 am

Cougar Holiday Classic at Montgomery HS
Belvidere vs. Delaware Valley, 1 pm
Montgomery vs. Watchung Hills, 2:30 pm

Artie Flaherty Holiday Tournament at Metuchen HS
Consolation Game: Brearley vs. Governor Livingston, 12:30 pm
Championship Game: Metuchen vs. Bernards, 2 pm

Sayreville Holiday Showcase at Sayreville HS
Consolation Game: Rahway vs. Monmouth, 10 am
Championship Game: Sayreville vs. Freehold, 11:30 am

Jonathan Dayton Holiday Tournament, Springfield (rescheduled from Saturday)
Championship Game: South Plainfield vs. Dayton, 2:30 pm
No consolation Game

West Windsor-Plainsboro South Holiday Tournament at WWPS HS
West Windsor-Plainsboro North vs. Northern Burlington, 11 am
JFK vs. West Windsor-Plainsboro South, 1:30 pm

Coaches’ Choice Holiday Classic at FDU-Madison (rescheduled from Saturday)
Holy Cross vs. Snyder, 1 pm
Plainfield vs. St. Mary’s-Manhasset (NY), 1:30 pm
St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Westfield, 3p

Millburn Holiday Tournament at Millburn HS
Consolation Game: Old Bridge vs. North Bergen, 10:30 am
Championship Game: Millburn vs. Union, noon

Pete Tierney Holiday Basketball Tournament at Summit HS
Consolation Game: Bridgewater-Raritan vs. Morris Knolls, 10 am
Championship Game: Summit vs. Johnson, 1 pm

Middlesex/Shore Tournament at Henry Hudson HS, Highlands
Consolation Game: South River vs. Henry Hudson, 10 am
Championship Game: South Amboy vs. Keansburg, 11:30 am

Ravens Winter Classic at Robbinsville HS
Consolation Game: North Brunswick vs. Robbinsville, 12 pm
Championship Game: Hamilton West vs. Allentown, 1:30 pm

Charlie Dolan Holiday Tournament at Kearny HS
Consolation Game: Montclair vs. Passaic Tech, 9 am
Championship Game: Colonia vs. Kearny, 1 pm

Roselle Holiday Hoopfest at Roselle Park HS
Consolation Game: Carteret vs. Perth Amboy, 11 am
Championship Game: Roselle Park vs. Linden, 2 pm

KSA Events Holiday Tournament at Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando
Pink Bracket
Pingry vs. Westminster Christian, 1 pm on Court 4
Mendham vs. Madison Southern, 1 pm on Court 3

December 30, 2025December 30, 2025 by Mike Pavlichko

Monday Boys’ Holiday Tournament Update: East Brunswick takes first loss; Montgomery, Piscataway, Metuchen stay undefeated; Bound Brook wins Crusader Classic again; Ridge takes Monroe Holiday Classic with 2nd straight win

There was a full slate of games on the docket Monday in boys’ basketball holiday tournament action, with the original Monday schedule, plus all the games rescheduled from over the weekend due to the winter storm that swept across New Jersey Friday into Saturday.

Two of the tournaments wrapped up Saturday, with Bound Brook edging Bernards for the Crusader Classic Championship, while Manville topped North Plainfield to win the Manville Holiday Tournament.

Here are Monday’s results from more than a dozen events across the state involving GMC and Somerset County teams:

Artie Flaherty Holiday Tournament at Metuchen HS
Metuchen 68, Brearley 34
Franklin School (Jersey City) 66, Voorhees 26

The Bulldogs (4-0) controlled nearly from start to finish, up 45-21 at halftime, and playing much of the second half with a running clock. Senior Cameron Hayes-Durina scored 25 points in the win. Metuchen will play Voorhees (1-3) in the round-robin event when it continues Tuesday at 11:30 am, while Brearley will face Franklin School at 10 am.

JP Stevens Holiday Tournament at JP Stevens HS, Edison
JP Stevens 54, Perth Amboy Magnet 35
Woodbridge 62, Somerville 47

The Hawks (4-1) dominated from the start, jumping out to a 13-4 lead at the end of one quarter, and never looked back. Sophomore Nameer Burch scored a game-high 22 points, while his younger brother, sophomore Shamar Burch added 12 and Pratyush Udupa scored 11.

JP Stevens will play Woodbridge in the Championship Game in the New Gym at 1 pm, while the Consolation Game between Somerville and Perth Amboy Magnet will be played in the Old Gym, also at 1 pm.

Middlesex/Shore Holiday Tournament at South Amboy HS
Henry Hudson 69, South River 40
Keansburg 83, South Amboy 68

Cole Teresky led South River (0-5) in defeat, while Jaydius Jiminez led South Amboy (5-1) in its first loss of the season. The Rams and Governors will square off in Tuesday’s consolation game, while Henry Hudson and Keansburg will play for the championship.

Albert E. Martin Buc Classic at Red Bank Regional HS
Consolation Round: Ranney 82, Old Bridge 71
Consolation Round: Middletown South 77, Long Branch 54
Semifinals: Howell 63, East Brunswick 59
Marlboro 53, Red Bank Regional 51.

An East Brunswick rally in the fourth quarter – where they faced a double-digit deficit fell short. After a miss on the Howell end, the Bears came down the floor and a long, straight on three by Corey Thomas missed, as did the putback at the horn by Andrew Pein.

On Tuesday, the Knights will play Long Branch in the 7th-place game, while Middletown South and Ranney will play for fifth place. The Consolation Game (third place) will see East Brunswick face host Red Bank Regional at 3:30, while Howell and Marlboro will play for the Championship of the three-day event at 5 pm.

Battle at The Bomb Shelter at Sayreville HS
Sayreville 66, New Dorp (NY) 57
Immaculata 48, Union 47

The Bombers (5-1) got the bulk of their scoring from three players, including Chidi Chukwurah with a game-high 24, Sam Jones with 21, and Ziyan Jones with 12. Sayreville was down one at the half, but took a two-point lead at the end of three, and pulled away in the fourth.

Immaculata (3-1) got a game-high 18 from Riley Gorman in their win, holding off a late rally by the Farmers. Bryce Higgins and Noah Doss each added nine for the Spartans, who will face Sayreville in the championship at 1 pm Tuesday. The 11:30 am Consolation Game will be New Dorp (NY) against Union.

Peter Tierney Holiday Basketball Tournament at Summit HS
Watchung Hills 66, Governor Livingston 63
Millburn 54, Summit 41

The Warriors (3-2) pulled away on a strong fourth quarter to advance to Tuesday’s 5:30 pm Championship Game against undefeated Millburn (5-0). Timmy Robertson led all scorers with 29 points, while Brady Simo grabbed eight rebounds and dished out five assists. The Consolation Game at 2:30 will feature host Summit and Governor Livingston.

Cougar Classic at Montgomery HS
Bridgewater-Raritan 64, North Hunterdon 63
Montgomery 70, Princeton 33

The Cougars – No. 1 again in this week’s Bellamy & Son Paving Top Ten – got 18 points from sophomore Connor Benedict as they pulled away in the second half en route to a 7-0 start to the season. Montgomery will play North Hunterdon at 11:30 am Tuesday in the round robin event.

The Panthers (6-0) led by 15 at halftime, but needed a layup at the buzzer by Richie Gardner – who scored 26 points for Bridgewater-Raritan to lead all scorers – to come up with the win. The Panthers will play Princeton Tuesday afternoon at 1:00.

Roselle Holiday Hoopfest at Roselle Park HS
Piscataway Magnet 60, Middlesex 59
Roselle Park 73, Keyport 70

The Blue Jays (2-2) took a three-point lead into the fourth, but would up falling to the Raiders (5-1). Four players scored in double-figures for Piscataway Magnet, with Skara finishing with 19. Justin Livingston added 15, while Julian Samuels led Middlesex in defeat.

Tuesday’s 9:30 am Consolation Game will feature Middlesex and Keyport, while Piscataway Magnet and Roselle Park (1-3) will vie for the Championship at 12:30 pm.

Crusader Classic at Bound Brook HS
Bound Brook 54, Bernards 52

Dorian Roundtree of Bound Brook (6-1) matched Casey Hoeckele of Bernards (2-5) for a game-high 22 points each, as the Cruasders beat their Somerset County foes for the Crusader Classic title. But it was Fabian Montero whose buzzer-beatser won it in the end. Roundtree, meanwhile, was named MVP, finishing the night with a double-double, also grabbing ten rebounds. Titus Godwin added 16 for Bound Brook, while Julian Rodriguez chipped in 14 in the victory.

Manville Holiday Tournament at Manville HS
Consolation Game: Dunellen 47, Highland Park 43
Championship Game: North Plainfield 59, Manville 41

In the Consolation Game, the Destroyers (3-3) held the Owls (2-5) to just one first quarter point en route to a 10-1 lead that would grow to 23-10 by the half. Highland Park chipped away, thanks to a 20-14 outburst in the third, but wound up losing by four. Diran Zerhmouti and Jamael Davis each led the Destroyers with 13 points apiece, while Evan Brzozowski led the Owls with eight points.

In the Championship, Manville (3-3) fell behind early, 16-6 after one quarter, and was down 35-16 at the half, a deficit they could not recover from, despite playing nearly event he rest of the way. Cayden Price had a game-high 20 for the Canucks (2-4), who also got ten from Josh Canada. Owen Kenyon led the Mustangs with nine points.

Monroe Falcon Holiday Classic
Consolation Game: South Brunswick 61, Timothy Christian 35
Championship Game: Ridge 52, Monroe 29

Kevin Burgman led all scorers with 24 points for the Vikings (5-1) in the third-place game, while Nathanael Sleman led the Tigers (1-4) in defeat with 12.

In the Championship Game, Ridge won its second straight this season after starting the season 0-4 to improve to 2-4 on the year. Owen Kovacs had 12 point and nine rebounds for the Red Devils, while Brady Chitren has a dozen for the Falcons in the loss. Ridge jumped out to a 13-6 lead at the end of one, and led by eleven at the half.

Ravens Winter Classic at Robbinsville HS
Bordentown 80, North Brunswick 63
Johnson 53, Robbinsville 37

The Raiders (0-5) got 31 from Srijay Bandi in defeat, and will face Robbinsville in the Consolation Game at 9 am Tuesday. That will be followed by the Championship at 10:30 between host Johnson and Bordentown.

(Correction: An earlier version of this story had Robbinsville beating Johnson, and playing North Brunswick.)

Winter Showcase at Paul VI, Wayne
St. Joseph-Metuchen 69, Middle Twp. 37
Westampton Tech 58, St. Mary’s Ryken (MD) 56

Imaad Johnson led the Falcons (4-0) with 20 points, while Alijah Murphy chipped in 11 and Andrew Kretwoski put in ten.

ESCIT Tournament
Consolation Game: St. Thomas Aquinas 59, Atlantic City 43
Championship Game: Thrive Charter 61, Ewing 54

The Trojans (2-4) jumped out to a 20-9 lead, built it to a 14-point bulge at halftime and never looked back. Dan Jennings led Aquinas with 16 points, while Albion Ahmetaj added 13 and grabbed nine rebounds.

Panther Holiday Classic
Franklin 61, Patrick School 45
Snyder 72, Marion P. Thomas Charter 47

Sean Duncan scored 22 points – 18 from beyond the arc – to lead the Warriors (4-2) to the win in the round-robin event.

Jingle Bells Jubilee at Paterson Steam Academy
Quad 1 Consolation: Ramapo 59, Paterson Kennedy 46
Quad 2 Consolation: Wayne Hills 65, Passaic Tech 48
Quad 1 Final: Teaneck 79, Montclair 67
Quad 2 Final: Newark Tech 58, Hackensack 54
Quad 4 Final: Linden 73, Gill St. Bernard’s 52

The Knights fell behind early and trailed 18-7 after one quarter. They chipped their way back to with seven at the end of three, but got doubled up 24-12 in the fourth quarter to drop to 4-2 on the season.

December 29, 2025December 29, 2025 by Mike Pavlichko

Monday Girls’ Holiday Tournament Roundup: Busy day with Friday/Saturday reskeds; Colonia, Bernards, South Amboy stay unbeaten; Rutgers Prep takes first loss to No. 1 Red Bank Catholic

It was quite a busy Monday in high school basketball, with many of the games that got postponed late Friday and Saturday due to the winter storm shifted to Monday, on top of an already crowded slate of games.

Among the highlights was a state top five clash down in Toms River, where state-ranked No. 4 Rutgers Prep lost to No. 1 Red Bank Catholic, 59-42. It was the first loss of the season for Rutgers Prep, which led 28-22 at halftime in a game that had a playoff-like atmosphere.

But the Caseys stormed ahead on the strength of a 19-8 third quarter, and won going away, 59-42.

Addy Nyemcheck was instrumental in RBC’s rally. She had ten at the break, but finished with 25, including 11 in the third quarter as the Caseys pulled ahead.

Hailey Benbow lead Rutgers Prep with a dozen, while Ava Frith added 11 for the Lady Argonauts, who are ranked No. 1 in the latest Bellamy & Son Paving Top Ten.

Vin Ebenau contributed to this report.

Here are the rest of the results from Monday’s action:

Crusader Classic at Bound Brook HS
Consolation Game: Columbia 50, Oak Knoll 32
Championship Game: Union Catholic 62, Bound Brook 51

The Lady Crusaders (4-1) took their first loss of the season, despite a 21-point night from freshman Peytan Pugh. Senior Ti’asjah Ferguson added 11; both scored in double figures of both games of the tournament.

Gene Haley/Jim Muldowney Memorial Holiday Classic at Edison HS
Woodbridge 70, Edison 54
Spotswood 53, North Plainfield 39

In the opener, the Barrons (4-1) got 16 points apiece from Layla Mercado and Angel Smith, as well as another 13 from Laila Stanford in the win over the host Eagles (0-6). In the second game, Spotswood (3-1) took a 15-7 lead early, and a 32-19 lead at the half and didn’t look back, getting 17 from Gabrielle Hill – including three triples – and 16 from Nina Fama. Layla Gutierrez had 15 for North Plainfield (1-3) in the losing effort.

Round robin play continues tomorrow, as Edison plays North Plainfield at 10 am, and Spotswood and Woodbridge meet at 11:30 in the “de facto” title game, a matchup of the two winners.

Ridge Holiday Classic at Ridge HS, Basking Ridge
Consolation Game: Randolph 44, South Brunswick 30
Championship Game: Ridge 58, North Hunterdon 34

The Vikings (0-5) hung in there in the first half, trailing 11-10 after one quarter, and 19-8 at the break, but Randolph went on a 16-3 third quarter run to take control. Madison Rorie led South Brunswick in defeat with 20 points, including four from beyond the arc.

Meanwhile, host Ridge (3-2) got a double-double from Maggie Kiessling – 17 points and 15 rebounds – as they won all four quarters of the game. Sophia Atia also added 17 – and a pair of treys – for the Red Devils, who avenged a 35-33 loss to the Lions in the championship game of last year’s event.

Cougar Holiday Classic at Montgomery HS
Montgomery 45, Delaware Valley 25
Watchung Hills 74, Belvidere 45

The Cougars (3-1) led virtually wire-to-wire, led by a double-double out of Alia Johnson – 15 points and 11 rebounds – and another 13 from Aliza Schulberg. Abby Schwartz also had 11 rebounds to go along with five points.

Watchung Hills (2-2) got a double-double out of Riley Hall in the win, leading the way both with 18 points and ten rebounds, while Alysha Yang added 16 points – nine on treys – and Eleni Esposito chipped in 13.

The round-robin event continues Tuesday, with Belvidere and Delaware Valley playing at 1 pm, while host Montgomery and Watchung Hills will play at 2:30.

Roselle Holiday Hoopfest at Roselle Park HS
Linden 60, Carteret 38
Roselle Park 69, Perth Amboy 36

It was another big night for one of the top scorers, if not the top scorer, in the state, as Roselle Park senior Sidney Smith pumped in a season high 45 points – her third time scoring 40-plus in five games this season – to up her average to 34.4 points per game. She also hit six treys in the game, which Amboy (2-2) trailed 35-14 at the half. Izabella Pardo scored 23 in defeat for the Panthers.

Meanwhile, the Ramblers (4-2) were done in by a 20-6 second quarter at the hands of Linden, and lost their second straight game after a 4-0 start. Nadia Momoh had 16 for Carteret in the loss.

Carteret and Perth Amboy will meet at 11 am Tuesday in an all-GMC Consolation Game, while the Championship at 2 pm will feature UCC schools Roselle Park and Linden.

Artie Flaherty Holiday Tournament at Metuchen HS
Bernards 49, Brearley 34
Metuchen 36, Governor Livingston 34

Bernards (4-0) remained undefeated, getting double-digit scoring from three different players. Maddie Frame led the Mountaineers with 15 points an two tryes, while Jane Freisen and Aletha Reynolds each scored 13.

Host Metuchen (3-1) got a game-high 15 from Victoria Zaniecki, who’s now just 46 points away from 1,000 for her career. The Lady Bulldogs trailed 24-14 at the break, bot got back into it on the strength of a 10-1 third quarter.

The tournament continues Tuesday, with Brearley and Governor Livingston in the 12:30 pm Consolation game, while Metuchen and Bernards will play for the championship at 2:00.

Middlesex/Shore Holiday Tournament at Henry Hudson HS
Keansburg 45, South River 31
South Amboy 40, Henry Hudson 22

South River (4-1) was held scoreless in the first quarter, down 13-0 after the first eight minutes, but got back in the game and trailed by just four at halftime, 18-14. Gabriella Castelhano led the Lady Rams with 15 points, all coming from beyond the arc, as the team hit seven treys.

The Governors (6-0) got a game-high 16 from Valerie Figueroa, while Gabby Evanski added 14, including three treys. South Amboy held Henry Hudson scoreless in a 10-0 fourth quarter.

Tuesday’s consolation game will feature South River and Henry Hudson, with South Amboy and Keansburg battling in the Championship Game.

Sayreville Holiday Showcase at Sayreville HS
Freehold Boro 55, Rahway 38
Sayreville 48, Monmouth 30

The Bombers (4-1) got a a double-double from Natalia Glazewski – a game-high 20 points and 13 rebounds – as well as 13 points and nine boards from her twin sister, Weronika Glazewski, and will advance to Wednesday’s 11:30 am championship game against Freehold Boro (2-2). The Consolation Game will be at 10 am between Rahway and Monmouth.

Dayton Holiday Tournament at Dayton HS, Springfield
Morristown-Beard 48, South Plainfield 40

The Tigers got 14 points from Giselle Lennon, and a double-double from MaKenzie Harris – 10 points, 11 rebounds – en route to evening their record at 2-2. They’ll play host Dayton Tuesday in the Championship Game at 2:30 pm. There’s no consolation game, as Roselle dropped out with Saturday’s games being rescheduled.

MCMS Holiday Tournament at East Brunswick Magnet School
Consolation Round: East Brunswick Magnet 31, Woodbridge Magnet 6
Semifinal Round: Piscataway Magnet 39, New Brunswick 31

West Windsor-Plainsboro South Holiday Tournament at WWPS
West Windsor-Plainsboro South 37, Northern Burlington 28
West Windsor-Plainsboro North 39, JFK 17

Millburn Holiday Tournament at Millburn HS
Millburn 62, North Bergen 51
Union 43, Old Bridge 36

Old Bridge (1-3) got ten points from Payton Kmiec in the loss, and will face North Bergen (1-4) in the 10:30 am Consolation Game on Tuesday, while Millburn and Union will square off in the noon Championship Game.

Pete Tierney Holiday Basketball Tournament at Summit HS
Summit 43, Bridgewater-Raritan 26
Johnson 61, Morris Knolls 19

The Lady Panthers fell behind big early, 10-3 after one quarter – as they fell to 2-2. Bridgewater-Raritan will face Morris Knolls (1-4) in the 10 am Consolation Game, while host Summit at Johnson will play the Championship at 1.

Ravens Winter Classic at Robbinsville HS
Hamilton West 38, Robbinsville 37 (OT)
Allentown 59, North Brunswick 27

The Raiders will play in the Consolation Game Tuesday at 12 pm against host Robbinsville (1-3), while Hamilton West and Allentown will play for the Championship at 1:30.

Charlie Dolan Holiday Tournament at Kearny HS
Colonia 52, Montclair 46
Kearny 49, Passaic Tech 39

Colonia got a double-double from Nasaleah Hooker – 13 points and 12 rebounds – as the Patriots stayed unbeaten at 5-0 on the season. Ariana Sosa just missed a double-double, finishing one rebound shy, with 12 points and nine boards, and Colonia finished with 11 blocks, and a 35-24 rebounding advantage. They’ll get Kearney in the Championship Game Tuesday at 1 pm, with the Consolation Game between Montclair and Passaic Tech at 9 am.

Coaches Choice Holiday Classic at FDU-Madison
St. Mary’s-Manhasset (NY) 63, St. Thomas Aquinas 50

Jordan Barnes scored 16 points in the loss, while Trista Whitney added 11, and Leah Kearney had a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds. She’s had a double-double in four straight games, and all but one of the Trojans’ eight played so far.

December 27, 2025 by Mike Pavlichko

Saturday Girls’ Basketball Roundup: Bound Brook takes early game in Crusader Classic, Rutgers Prep remains undefeated ahead of clash with No. 1 Red Bank Catholic

A number of girls’ high school basketball holiday tournaments played on Saturday, though some were postponed, and some had altered schedules, moving some games later in the day depending on the severity of the snow and ice storm that fell across the state Friday night into Saturday.

The Cougar Holiday Classic at Montgomery – involving the host Cougar girls, as well as Watchung Hills, Delaware Valley and Belvidere – was moved to Monday. And Red Back Catholic’s Showcase Bracket game at the Kevin Williams Christmas Classic at RWJ Barnabas Arena at Toms River North was cancelled, though Rutgers Prep’s game at 6 pm against St. Rose was still on the docket Saturday afternoon.

Postponed:

Edison Holiday Tournament at Edison HS (rescheduled to Monday, same times)
Jonathan Dayton Holiday Tournament, Springfield (rescheduled to Tuesday)
Cougar Holiday Classic at Montgomery HS (rescheduled to Monday, same times)
Pete Tierney Holiday Basketball Tournament at Summit HS (rescheduled to Monday, same times)
Coaches’ Choice Holiday Classic at FDU-Madison (rescheduled to Tuesday, same times)

Mercer County Community College Holiday Showcase at MCCC, West Windsor
Monroe 61, Trenton, 38
Hillsborough 67, Thrive Charter 52

The Falcons (2-2) got a season-high 21 points from Kiera Longo and another 14 from Sophia Rivas as they evened up their record at .500. Hillsborough (4-1) won for the second straight year at the MCCC Holiday Showcase, beating Thrive Charter behind a new career-high 19 points and three treys from Kayla Cebedo and as season-best 16 from Isabella Ruh.

Crusader Classic at Bound Brook HS
Bound Brook 49, Columbia 46
Union Catholic 67, Oak Knoll 46

The Crusaders (4-0) stayed undefeated behind a double-double from from freshman sensation Peytan Pugh, with 15 points and ten rebounds. It was her second straight, as she also had 17 and 10 against Pope John last Saturday in a 51-36 win over Pope John in the Shore Games at The Fort Athletic Club in Oceanport. Bound Brook will play Union Catholic at 5 pm Monday in the Crusader Classic title game, while Columbia and Oak Knoll will play in the 1:00 Consolation Game.

Kevin Williams Christmas Classic at RWJ Barnabas Arena, Toms River North HS
Showcase Games
Red Bank Catholic vs. Teaneck, 4:15 pm (rescheduled to Tuesday at 3 pm)
Rutgers Prep 58, St. Rose 17

The Lady Argonauts (5-0) dominated the Purple Roses (0-4) to stay unbeaten, jumping out to a 13-5 first quarter lead, and taking a 31-10 lead going into halftime. Senior Ava LaMonica led the way with 16 points, including two treys, while Hannah Fraser and Sophia Georgiades each chipped in 11. With Rutgers Prep in the “Showcase Bracket,” they face a set opponent in the next round and will take on Red Bank Catholic (4-0) Monday at 6 pm. The Caseys are the No. 1 team in the latest statewide rankings, with Rutgers Prep No. 4.

Ridge Holiday Classic at Ridge HS, Basking Ridge
Ridge 45, South Brunswick 21

The Red Devils improved to 2-2 with the win, while South Brunswick drops to 0-4. Ridge will play North Hunterdon Monday at 10 am.

December 26, 2025December 26, 2025 by Mike Pavlichko

Manville hangs on for 48-46 win over Highland Park in opening round of Mustangs’ Holiday Tournament, will meet North Plainfield Monday

After a big 15-0 run to break a 26-all tie and end the third quarter, Manville had to sweat one out, as the Mustangs hung on to beat Highland Park 48-46 in the opener of their own holiday tournament Friday afternoon.

Manville (3-2) got 12 points apiece from junior Jonathon Gosk and sophomore Owen Kenyon, the second of whom scored six straight points in that third-quarter run, with and and-one followed by a triple.

The teams played a tight first quarter, with the Owls (2-4) taking a 2-0 lead, but ending the first eight minutes down 12-8. The second quarter saw Highland Park close on a 13-4 run to make it a tie game at 22 at the break.

The second half was back-and-forth early, with the teams trading buckets, and they were knotted up at 26.

Owls head coach Colin Copperthwaite called a time out at that point, with 4:55 to go in the third, just to settle things down a little. But over the next three minutes, the Mustangs went on a 12-0 run to take a 38-26 lead, forcing Highland Park to call another time out. Manville finished the half on a 15-0 run to take a 41-26 lead into the final period.

That’s when Evangelinos Kambitsis came alive, hitting a pair of threes early in the fourth. Cooper Ballentine scored a couple, and all of a sudden, the Owls were within nine. After a three by Ballantine, and another by Kambitsis, Manville’s lead was slashed to three. With the ball, and a minute to go, Highland Park again called time out.

They got a good look at a three but missed, and couldn’t convert on two putbacks. A foul put Manville at the line, where Collin Shimp missed a pair with 25.6 seconds left. The Owls got the rebound, but a pass up the floor went out of bounds on the sideline. Manville got fouled again with 13.4 to go, and this time Josh D’Ambrosio split a pair, making the second, putting them up by four.

But Highland Park couldn’t quickly get a good look, and settled for a late bucket to make it 48-46, as the clock ran out with just a few seconds left, and the Owls out of time outs.

The Manville Holiday Basketball Tournament resumes Tuesday for the boys, with the Consolation Game at 3 pm and the Championship at 7.

The Consolation will feature Dunellen (2-3) and Highland Park, while the Mustangs will meet North Plainfield (1-4). The Canucks got their first win of the season Friday, beating the Destroyers 56-32 behind a game-high 17 points from Cayden Prince. It was a solid defensive effort in the game from North Plainfield, which led 32-11 at the break; the Canucks also hit seven times from beyond the arc.

Click below to hear Manville head coach Bill Rooney talk about the Mustangs’ win over Highland Park with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko:

January 3, 2025 by Mike Pavlichko

Aquinas senior Chuffo joins 1,000 point club, Schiro sets all-time Hillsborough mark, and who’s next girl up in the CJSR-area?

In the first game of the New Year for the No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas girls’ basketball team, Gianna Chuffo reached a milestone.

The senior – an Adelphi University verbal commit – cracked the 1,000 point club Thursday night in an 82-44 win at No. 5 Piscataway. Ironically, she’s the second GMC player to do it in the Chief’s gym this season, as Aiden Derkack of Colonia did it back on December 19th in a boys’ game there.

She’s the first Greater Middlesex Conference girls’ basketball player to reach the milestone this season, and the second in the Central Jersey Sports Radio coverage area. Hillsborough’s Mya Loniewksi did it earlier this season, and sits at 1,033.

Speaking of the Raiders, Francesca Schiro – who became the all-time leading girls’ scorer at Hillsborough against Madison back in December, surpassing the 1,455 point standard set in 1986 by Jinny Gill Strawderman – broke the boys’ record as well in an 84-67 home win over Voorhees Thursday night. That win improves third-ranked Hillsborough to 7-0 on the season.

She needed 26 to tie the mark set in 1986 by Kevin Ryan, and scored 30 in the win over the Vikings, including five treys. She now has 1,594 career points.

Here are the seven current active members of the girls’ 1,000 point club from the area, including statistics on NJ.com as of games played January 2nd, except where noted:

Jess Devine, Middlesex – 1,728
Francesca Schiro, Hillsborough – 1,594 (thru 1/3)
Vanessa Kohler, Highland Park – 1,235
Mia Gestosani, Mount St. Mary – 1,129
Lizzie Calandruccio, Spotswood – 1,118
Mya Loniewski, Hillsborough – 1,049 (thru 1/3)
Gianna Chuffo, St. Thomas Aquinas – 1,013

As for others nearing 1,000 points, here’s a look at those within 350 points of the milestone. All are seniors, except those with an asterisk, who are juniors. There are no sophomores on the list.

Stella Sweeney, South Plainfield – 886
Evangelina Francisco, Monroe – 852
Jahaysia Ledesma, Carteret – 843
Charlotte Taylor, Somerville – 816
Alexis Lease-Springer, South Brunswick – 809
Gandy Malou-Mamel, Gill St. Bernard’s – 807
Izabella Pardo, Perth Amboy, 767*
Sidney Quinn, Gill St. Bernard’s – 700
Aletha Reynolds, Bernards – 692*
Maya Abramson, Gill St. Bernard’s – 684
Angel Smith, Woodbridge – 679*
Kaylee Lauber, Somerville – 663*
Jordan Barnes, St. Thomas Aquinas – 656*
Olivia Kapoliza, South Plainfield – 653

Note: The above list may not include transfers who played at a previous school, as stats are generally kept separately based on the teams they played for at the time.

December 30, 2024December 29, 2024 by Mike Pavlichko

Colonia hangs on at No. 1 despite season’s first loss; two new teams join the Week 3 Bellamy & Son Paving Boys’ Basketball Top Ten

Despite losses by the top two teams – both coming to out of state opponents – there was little change through the Bellamy & Son Paving Boys’ Basketball Top Ten for Week Three, although two news teams – Piscataway and South Plainfield – made their debuts.

Colonia (4-1) had a 2-1 week split by the holidays. The Patriots picked up a 60-40 win Monday over in-town rival Woodbridge, then dropped the opener in its own LeGrand Holiday Jubilee to Westfield, 53-47. They rebounded, however, with a 49-41 victory over Scotch Plains-Fanwood Saturday. The event wraps up Monday, with the Patriots playing Franklin at 1 pm.

Rutgers Prep remains in second. The Argonauts dropped its only game of the week, 80-63 to St. Rose of Belmar on Monday, to drop to 4-1 on the season.

Holding in third is Montgomery (4-1), which won its only game in the past week, a 68-35 rout over Princeton in their own Cougar Holiday Classic, which continues Monday. The Cougars will play Bridgewater-Raritan (3-2) at 2 pm.

Steady in fourth is St. Thomas Aquinas (3-1). The Trojans were 2-0 this past week, picking up a Friday win over Port Richmond (NY), 69-27, and a win Saturday at Bayonne in the Bayonne Holiday Classic, 58-55.

Ridge (6-0) holds in sixth after a 3-0 week. The Red Devils topped Summit Monday, 52-20, then won the Whitey Dukiet All-American Holiday Classic at Livingston for the third year in a row. They beat Morris Knolls 68-30 on Friday, then beat the host Lancers 66-37 Saturday for the title.

Gill St. Bernard’s 95-0) remains in sixth after a 2-0 week. The Knights beat Seton Hall Prep, 60-51, on Monday, then won at the Paramus Catholic Holiday Tournament, edging the Paladins 72-69.

And holding in seventh is Hillsborough (5-1). The Raiders swept two games to win the Oratory Holiday Tournament, beating Newark Academy 44-36 on Friday, then host Oratory Prep 57-42 on Saturday.

Then, there are two new teams. Piscataway makes its debut at No. 8 with a record of 4-1. They won at Sayreville Monday, 62-57, then came back and won twice in the Joe Silver Holiday Tournament at Hillside. They beat College Achieve Asbury Park’s regional squad 86-59 Friday, then Orange on Saturday, 72-48. They’ll play host Hillside at 2 pm Monday in the championship game.

Ninth is South Plainfield, making its debut at 4-0. They swept a two-game week, beating Carteret Monday, 72-34, then taking the opener of their own Anthony J. Cotoia Holiday Tournament on Thursday, 63-53. They play for the title Monday against Edison at 3 pm.

Sayreville dropped two spots to No. 8, after a 1-1 week in which they lost to Piscataway Monday, 62-57, then came back and beat Tottenville (NY) on Friday, 61-42.

Here’s the full Bellamy & Son Paving Boys’ Basketball Top Ten for Week 3:

December 29, 2024 by Mike Pavlichko

Middlesex, unbeaten Bernards girls take Holiday Tournament titles in Saturday action

The Middlesex and Bernards girls’ basketball teams both won titles Saturday as the holiday tournament season continues on before New Year’s.

Here’s a look at Saturday action on the girls’ side:

No. 10 Bernards undefeated heading into ’25…

Perfect in the 2024 potion of their schedule, the Mountaineers will take a 5-0 mark into 2025 after sweeping the Metuchen Bulldog Holiday Tournament.

Saturday afternoon, they beat their hosts, 41-30, to win the event for a second straight year. Junior Aletha Reynolds was named MVP, and hit for a double-double for the fourth time in five games this year, with 14 points and 11 rebounds. She hit three triples in the game, and nine in the two games at Metuchen to give her 16 in five contests this season.

Bernards trailed at the half, but outscored the Bulldogs 25-12 after the break, holding Metuchen to just four points over the final eight minutes.

Bernards is back in action next Friday at home against Delaware Valley, while Metuchen (2-2) will play next Saturday morning at 11:30 against Wardlaw-Hartridge.

Governor Livingston topped Brearley, 47-38, in the consolation game.

Jays win 4th straight, take Clem Santy Tourney…

It was another blowout win for Middlesex, as the Blue Jays got a game-high 23 points from Jess Devine in a 55-28 win over Highland Park to win the Clem Santy Holiday Tournament at Dunellen.

Devine has now scored at least 21 points in all five games this year, as the Jays slowly, but surely pulled away from the Owls, who fell to 2-2 with the loss, despite 13 points and six rebounds from Vanessa Kohler.

Middlesex is now 4-1, having won four straight since a season-opening loss to Spotswood by an average 24.8 points apiece. They return to action Monday afternoon against Absegami. Highland Park hosts Sayreville next Thursday.

In the consolation game, Manville topped Dunellen, 41-34.

Knights take a win in round-robin Holiday Hoopfest up North…

Gill St. Bernards won its fourth straight game and improved to 5-1 with a 53-36 win over Immaculate Heart up at Paterson Kennedy High School.

Gandy Malou-Mamel scored a season-high 26 points in the win, the only Knight in double figures. They wrap up play in the Holiday Hoopfest Monday at 3:20 pm against St. Rose of Belmar.

The Purple Roses topped No. 1 Rutgers Prep earlier in the day, 46-41, in a rematch of last year’s NJSIAA Non-Public South B title game, won by the Argonauts. It was Prep’s first loss of the season, dropping them to 5-1. Ava LaMonica led the Argos with 12 points, five rebounds and four steals, while freshman Hailey Benbow added 10 points and five boards.

In the opener Saturday, Montclair-Immaculate topped Franklin, 47-39, dropping them to 1-5 on the year.

The Warriors are back at it at 6 pm Monday against Bayonne to wrap up the Holiday Hoopfest.

Other Tournament Scores:

Holmdel Holiday Invitational
Hudson Catholic 59, Marlboro 44
Holmdel 33, Mount St. Mary 30
Colts Neck 63, East Brunswick 48
Manasquan 64, North Plainfield 39
No. 2 St. Thomas Aquinas 53, Ranney 48

MCCC Showcase at Mercer County Community College
Hillsborough 64, George (PA) 43

Ridge Holiday Basketball Tournament
Championship: Randolph 47, South Brunswick 40
Consolation: North Hunterdon 35, Ridge 33

Score at the Shore at Southern Regional
Pingry 55, Lenape 52

West Windsor-Plainsboro South Tournament
Championship: Pennsbury (PA) 41, Somerville 38
Consolation: West Windsor-Plainsboro South 31, South Hunterdon 22

*Woodbridge and Old Bridge tip off in the Woodbridge Holiday Tournament on December 27, 2024. (@WHSCasey on Twitter)*

Woodbridge Holiday Tournament
No. 5 Piscataway 62, Woodbridge 48
Colonia 39, No. 8 Edison 35
Old Bridge 43, No. 9 Spotswood 40

Non-Tournament Action:
Columbia 73, Timothy Christian 36

December 28, 2024 by Mike Pavlichko

Saturday Boys’ Holiday Tourney Roundup: No. 5 Ridge wins third straight Dukiet Classic, No. 7 Hillsborough prevails at Oratory; South River, Watchung Hills, Somerville, Manville also claim hardware

With a big schedule of games Saturday, a number of Central Jersey Sports Radio-area teams played for championships, while others are have finished two of the three legs of their holiday tournament experience.

Here’s a look at Saturday’s results:

Ridge tourney win keeps Red Devils undefeated…

What’s more impressive? The fact that Ridge has won the Whitey Dukiet Classic at Livingston three years running? Or the fact they’re now 6-0 on the season, in mostly dominating fashion?

Maybe it’s both, but that’s where fifth-ranked Ridge stands now after a 66-37 win over the host Lancers Saturday afternoon, to take the tournament title.

Senior Luke Kreitz was leading scorer for the fourth straight game, scoring 15 points, including three treys. But that was matched by Dan Rafanello, whose 15 were a career high for the junior. He had a career best for treys on the night.

Ridge will be back in action Thursday at home against Chatham.

In the consolation game, Pingry topped Morris Knolls, 69-63, to improve to 2-3. They’ll visit Ridge on Tuesday, January 7.

Raiders take Oratory Holiday Tourney crown…

Seventh-ranked Hillsborough won its third straight and improved to 5-1 with a 57-46 win over host Oratory Prep.

Senior Manny Rodriguez was the game’s high scorer with 19 points, while Jack Toth added 13 and Aaron Feath scored 11.

Hillsborough led much of the way, jumping to an 18-8 lead after the first eight minutes; they went into the break up 35-17. The Raiders hit six threes in the game.

Click below to hear Hillsborough coach Tim Palek talk about the game – and the Raiders’ season so far – with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko:

The Raiders are back in action next Saturday, January 4, with a home game against Sparta.

Manville tops Dunellen at the buzzer to win Mike Shello Holiday Tournament…

It was some great small school basketball at Dunellen’s Faber School, as Manville won the Mike Shello Holiday Tournament, taking both their opening round and championship game by a combined two points.

The Mustangs followed up a 42-41 win over North Plainfield Thursday with a 62-61 win over the host Destroyers, behind a team-high 22 points from Edryn Morales. But it was freshman Owen Kenyon who hit the big shot, a three at the buzzer to win it. He finished with 11 points.

Manville is now 4-0 on the season, and will be back in action Friday after the New Year against Bernards.

Click below to hear Manville coach Bill Rooney talk about the win with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Mike Pavlichko:

Dunellen fell to 2-2 and will host Perth Amboy Magnet the Thursday after New Year’s. Ryan Hutchins had 29 points for the Destroyers, leading all scorers in the losing effort.

The consolation game went to the Canucks, who beat Highland Park, 75-63.

South River wins Middlesex/Shore Tournament…

Alex Grospe had a monster game, dropping a career-high 46 points – with only three treys, but 15 made free throws – in a 79-66 victory over Henry Hudson, to claim the Middlesex/Shore Tournament down in Highlands.

It was the sixth 40-plus point game in Grospe’s high school career; he had five last year. On the season, he’s averaging 33.5, almost three full points higher than last year.

The led 43-26 at halftime, but Henry Hudson climbed back into it, slashing the lead to five at the end of the third, but the Rams pulled away over the final eight minutes.

South River improves to 3-1 and is back in action Monday against Highland Park at 11:30 am.

Keansburg beat South Amboy in the consolation game, 63-34.

Watchung Hills takes Pete Tierney Memorial…

Zack Patetta scored 15 points to lead the Warriors – with KJ West adding 12 and Timmy Robertson chipping in 11 – to a 59-42 win over host Summit in the Pete Tierney Memorial Holiday Tournament title game.

Watchung Hills (3-2) trailed Summit by nine at the half, but rallied in the second, taking a 38-36 lead heading into the fourth quarter, where they outscored the Hilltoppers 21-6.

Watchung Hills is back at it next Saturday in the Coaches vs. Cancer Showcase at Montgomery against Delaware Valley at 6:30 pm.

Millburn was an 86-55 winner over Governor Livingston in the consolation game.