Secaucus' Lama named as Hudson County's top male athlete

Growing up, Jamling Lama didn’t have to look far for inspiration to participate in sports. Lama had his two older brothers, namely Sonam and Pema, who both played basketball competitively. “It wasn’t just sports,” Lama said. “It was everything. I had to do things the right way, to be a good person. I went about it every day. Nothing was guaranteed. I was blessed to have another day.” And Lama followed in his brothers’ footsteps in every fashion imaginable, like keeping a strong, upbeat and alive personality. “Nothing positive can come from having a negative mindset,” Lama said. So when the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic played havoc with his junior year at Secaucus High School, totally wiping out the baseball season, Lama kept a stiff upper lip and managed to maintain his positive ways. “I knew that I had another year of high school,” Lama said. “I knew it was going to be my time to shine.”

Jamling Lama (center) receives the Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year outside Secaucus High School, becoming just the second Patriot male to ever receive the award. From left are Secaucus High School Principal Steven Viggiani, athletic director Charlie Voorhees, assistant soccer coach Chris Innis, Hague, Lama, head baseball coach Neal Czochanski and head basketball coach Tom Curry. Even with the pandemic raging throughout the area, Lama made sure he had a senior year to remember, which he most certainly did. Lama excelled in three sports, namely soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter and baseball in the spring, like he had done for the previous years. Lama didn’t play soccer until his junior year, but scored a team-high 16 goals. He had a team best six goals in just seven games that the Patriots played through the pandemic. During the basketball season, Lama really shined. He averaged 21.5 points in the 10 games that the Patriots played and led the team in rebounds, steals and assists. He ended his career with 1,300 points on the head, becoming the school’s all-time leading male scorer in the process. And in baseball, Lama was a standout centerfielder and pitcher, who batted .444 in another limited schedule. For his efforts, Lama has been selected as the Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year. Lama received his award at the school last month with coaches and administrators present. Lama is the first recipient of the year-end award since Alex Rodriguez claimed it back in 1992-93. Rodriguez was the second athlete to receive the award for his football and wrestling exploits. The Athlete of the Year is given to the top athlete who excels in more than one varsity sport. Lama definitely fits that description to a tee. “I always liked having a fully loaded schedule,” Lama said. “I always wanted to be a part of the other sports. I grew up going to my brothers’ games. I couldn’t wait to play.” Baseball was the first sport Jamling played as a youngster, joining the Secaucus Little League at age five to play T-ball. Basketball soon followed, while soccer was an afterthought until his junior year of high school. His parents, father Pasang and mother Nuku, are natives of Nepal who immigrated to the United States in 1989 before their children were born. They understood how important sports were to their sons, with Jamling being the last of the Lama clan. “They respected what we did and supported us,” Lama said. Even after missing a year due to COVID, Lama’s baseball career stood out. He ran down practically every fly ball in centerfield and was a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher when he got the ball. “In my mind, he was always the best athlete on the field,” Secaucus head baseball coach Neal Czochanski said. “He had the kind of attitude you want out of a player. He always had the mindset that he was going to succeed. Who knows what he could have done with the extra year? He was always positive and always had a smile on his face. I’ve always said that Jam made everyone around him happy.” Secaucus head boys’ basketball coach Tom Curry also sang Lama’s praises. “I believe Jamling was a positive quality role model and solidified the foundation of our program,” said Curry, whose team posted an 8-2 record in the shortened season. “I really think Jam was the foundation to all our successes. He had a role that was more important than just basketball.” Curry, who is also the head football coach at Park Ridge, believes Lama is among the top two athletes he had the pleasure of coaching in his career. “If you ask me who my top two athletes were, I’d say Vince Pinto, who was an outstanding quarterback at Park Ridge, and Jam,” Curry said. “He’s a tremendous athlete, but a better kid. Jam has the quality you want in a player and a leader. I have a son and I want him to be like Jamling Lama.” Lama said that he just joined the soccer team as a junior to stay in shape for the other two sports. He had no idea he would turn into the team’s leading scorer in both seasons. “I was just kicking the ball around with my friends and they said that I should think about playing soccer,” Lama said. “I just happened to be the leading scorer. I give credit to my teammates and my coaches for getting me the chances to score. It was a lot of fun. I totally did it for conditioning, but after I started playing, I wanted to win with my teammates.” It’s in basketball where Lama really shined. He knew that he needed a big season to become the school’s all-time leading scorer, especially with a truncated schedule. “When I first started playing, I was taught to be defensive minded,” Lama said. “But then I was asked to be more of a scorer, which I did. I always worked hard with my brothers and that hard work paid off. I did what I was told and I’m thankful for that.” Lama was part of the Secaucus varsity baseball team since he was a freshman and became the team’s leader as a senior after missing out on a junior year. He was an All-County outfielder as a sophomore in 2019. “I always loved running down fly balls,” Lama said. “It’s really where I could show my speed.” Lama, who was also an excellent student, posting a 3.9 grade point average over his career, heads to Felician University to play basketball in the fall. He hasn’t ruled out the possibility of playing baseball as well, but for now, he’ll concentrate on basketball. “The time has come for Jam to dedicate his passion to just one sport,” Czochanski said. “I just want to see him happy. He’s awesome when he’s happy.” “I think I always held myself to a high standard,” Lama said. “I always wanted to be a good kid first. I wanted to treat others the way I wanted to be treated. I learned that from my parents. I was told to never put anyone down. So I always tried to make my teammates feel like they were the greatest. I did that in my daily life.” Lama was excited to receive the award. “It’s definitely a prestigious honor,” Lama said. “Being only the second Secaucus athlete to receive the award is something really special to me. I’m very thankful for it.” So Lama moves on, leaving a legacy of greatness, but also for being such a well-rounded, joyful and respectful young man. And now he leaves with the title of being the best athlete in Hudson County. “I can never replace these four years,” Lama said. “I believe my high school career was well used. Every sport, I believe I performed my best and the outcome showed each season. I’m so happy and grateful to have played for Secaucus.”

Sportswriter Jim Hague (left) presents Secaucus' Jamling Lama with the award of being the Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year. HUDSON COUNTY-JIM HAGUE SPORTS MALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR 1991-1992-Jason Casessa, Hoboken 1992-1993-Alex Rodriguez, Secaucus 1993-1994-Eduardo Gomez, Hoboken 1995-1996-Rashard Casey, Hoboken 1996-1997-Czar Wiley, North Bergen 1997-1998-Koz Perez, North Bergen 1998-1999-Mike Forcum, Hoboken 1999-2000-Jonathan Robinson, Memorial 2001-2002-Bryan Durango, Memorial 2002-2003-Jason Blanks, Hoboken 2003-2004-Danny Lopez, Weehawken 2004-2005-Mike Brown, St. Peter’s Prep 2005-2006-Garrett Askew, Hudson Catholic 2006-2007-Evan Rodriguez, North Bergen 2007-2008-Chris Jones, Lincoln 2008-2009-Michael Kuzirian, Memorial 2009-2010-Kevin Innis, St. Peter’s Prep 2010-2011-Jose Veras, Dickinson 2011-2012-Jason Pineda, Weehawken 2012-2013-Damian Corredor, Weehawken 2013-2014-Tyrik Darby, Lincoln 2014-2015-Corey Caddle, St. Peter’s Prep 2015-2016-Royaal Jones, Hudson Catholic 2016-2017-Jorge Portorreal, St. Peter’s Prep 2017-2018-Shayne Simon, St. Peter’s Prep 2018-2019-Ayir Asante, St. Peter’s Prep 2019-2020-Nyjon Freeman, Hoboken 2020-2021-Jamling Lama, Secaucus