Tuesday Teams That Impressed
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County Tournaments took center stage, especially down the Shore on Tuesday. Which teams and players stood out? Shore scored a big 61-51 win over Brick Memorial. Alex George Alex George 6'2" | PG Shore Regional | 2024 State NJ and…
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Continue ReadingCounty Tournaments took center stage, especially down the Shore on Tuesday. Which teams and players stood out?
Shore scored a big 61-51 win over Brick Memorial. Alex George Alex George 6'2" | PG Shore Regional | 2024 State NJ and Liam Gajewski Liam Gajewski 6'1" | PG Shore | 2023 State NJ combined for 29 points but they got a surprise boost from senior Donovan Hughes who chipped in 15 points. Josh Michigan Josh Michigan 6'4" | SG Compass Prep | 2024 State NJ had a game high 23 in the loss for Brick. Fellow senior guard Brian Starrett Brian Starrett 6'2" | PG Brick Memorial | 2023 State NJ was held to 8 points in the loss, while Dorian Alston Dorian Alston 6'5" | SF Brick Memorial | 2023 State NJ dropped 13. The Blue Devils move on to face Toms River North on Thursday.
Continuing the surprise role players breaking out theme was Southern Regional in a 54-53 win over Ocean Twp. Tom Menegus was held scoreless but junior Caden Schubiger continued to step into a leadership role by scoring 15 in the win. Promising sophomores Zayier Dean Zayier Dean 6'0" | PG Red Bank Regional | 2025 State NJ (18) and Ron Richardson Ron Richardson 6'4" | SF College Achieve | 2025 State NJ (12) powered the Spartans in the defeat. Ocean returns a host of talented players and will be a dangerous team next year if they hold everything together.
Ranney is a deceptively low seed in the Shore Conference Tournament after the addition of Jahlil Bethea Jahlil Bethea 6'3" | CG Ranney School | 2023 State NJ . He and senior Isaac Hester Isaac Hester 6'0" | PG Ranney School | 2023 State NJ form what is possibly the top backcourt in the Shore–that includes ‘Squan and Saint Rose. The two split 40 and junior Drew Buck added 18 as the Panthers raced past Lacey 85-59. Seniors Troy Buxton(20) and Chris Venturoso Chris Venturoso 6'3" | SG Lacey | 2023 State NJ (14) led Lacey in defeat.
A still-shorthanded Hudson Catholic survived a spirited challenge from Saint Mary’s of Rutherford, 56-51. Junior Alex Massung Alex Massung 6'2" | PG Hudson Catholic | 2024 State NJ and sophomores Chazz Dubois Chazz Dubois 6'5" | SF Hudson Catholic | 2025 TX and Omari Moore Omari Moore 6'3" | SG Hudson Catholic | 2025 State #245 Nation NJ stepped up to lead the scoring charge as the Hawks held off a strong game from junior Luke Gaccione Luke Gaccione 5'10" | PG St. Mary's (Rutherford) | 2025 NLG and the Gaels. 6’4″ junior Julian Leveille added 14 in the loss.
The marquee contest of the night saw Saint Benedicts hold off St Peter’s Prep 42-37 in Jersey City. The key players delivered the goods for both teams as Ladji Dembele Ladji Dembele 6'8" | PF St. Benedict's | 2023 State #192 Nation NJ had a double-double(13&14) for the Bees and Peter’s got a good shift from 6’7″ senior Jackson Tindall Jackson Tindall 6'7" | PF St. Peter's Prep | 2024 NLG . Both teams saw balance across the board as Benedict’s got help from Braylyn Smith, Alexzaye Johnson Alexzaye Johnson 6'4" | PG St Benedicts Prep | 2023 State NJ and others while St Peter’s got some production out of Richie Rosa Richie Rosa 6'0" | PG St. Peter's Prep | 2026 State NJ and Peyton Miller Peyton Miller 6'1" | PG St. Peter's Prep | 2025 State NJ in the defensive slugfest.
South River’s seniors, led by Roman Santos Roman Santos 6'5" | SF South River | 2023 State NJ , Lazaro Rodriguez Lazaro Rodriguez 6'4" | SF South River | 2023 State NJ , Issac Linarez and Jeremy Grospe Jeremy Grospe 5'10" | CG South River | 2023 State NJ , came from behind to knock off Franklin 72-20. Santos had 21 and Rodriguez 19. Sophomore Alex Grospe Alex Grospe 5'10" | PG South River | 2025 State NJ had 14 assists in the win. 6’4″ senior Cameron Snowden had 20 in defeat for Franklin. The win should give the Rams confidence to compete with bigger schools going into the GMC Tournament.
6’7″ sophomore forward and football prospect Jayden Elijah had the game of his season thusfar, going for 19pts and an eye popping 26 rebounds in a SCT victory at Colts Neck. He keyed the Huskies 58-44 victory. Matawan also got contributions from Amir Martinez and Muhlenberg bound Colin Haluska Colin Haluska 6'3" | SF Matawan | 2023 State NJ .