O'Koren gets childhood courts named after him

O’Koren returns to courts where it all began St. Joseph Courts renamed, honoring former Carolina, Nets standout forward When Mike O’Koren was a little boy growing up in Jersey City, he always dreamed about one day playing basketball at the famed courts that sit behind St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, just a stone’s throw away from the O’Koren family residence inside the Pavonia Gardens housing projects near Dickinson High School “For us kids, this was our Madison Square Garden,” O’Koren said. “I spent so much time here playing and learning.” So O’Koren used to make the two-block journey from his home to the courts at St. Joe’s, just trying to absorb so much about the game he loved to play. One of his first coaches at St. Joseph’s CYO program was Ron Steinmetz, better known as “Stymie” to the basketball faithful of Jersey City. Stymie knew early on that O’Koren, better known as “Little” to the people of his hometown, would develop into a good player.

“When he first started playing, he couldn’t even tie his sneakers,” Steinmetz said. “Once we got him playing regularly, he fell in love with the game. And it was fun to watch him progress.” And progress he did. After he went to Hudson Catholic, O’Koren became a three-time All-Hudson County honoree and an overall First Team All-State selection, quickly becoming a household name across the country. O’Koren went off to the University of North Carolina, where he had a brilliant career, leading the Tar Heels to the 1977 NCAA Tournament title game against Marquette, scoring 31 points in the national semifinals against UNLV. After his brilliant four-year career with the Tar Heels, O’Koren was drafted by the New Jersey Nets in the first round of the 1980 NBA Draft. He spent 10 solid years with the Nets, playing home games just a stone’s throw away from his Jersey City home. O’Koren then became an assistant coach with the Washington Wizards, the Philadelphia 76ers as well as Rutgers University. He also did some color analysis work for the Nets on television and radio. O’Koren has already earned Hall of Fame honors from both of his alma maters (Hudson Catholic and UNC) as well as the Hudson County Athletic Hall of Fame. But the greatest honor of O’Koren’s life came last week, when the St. Joseph courts were renamed the Mike O’Koren Courts. O’Koren was present for the dedication of the courts, speaking to the approximately 200 people in attendance. “I have family and friends here,” O’Koren said. “I’m glad to have the chance to see this happen while I’m still here. It’s the schoolyard, near where I grew up. It can’t get any better than this.” When the plaque hanging on the fence and the etching on the blacktop was revealed, O’Koren, usually stoic and not one to wear his feelings on his sleeve, got emotional. “It’s home,” O’Koren said. “It’s my family and friends. I’ve been around the world and no matter where I go, it always comes back to Jersey City. I was in Russia, walking the streets of Moscow with the World University Games team in 1980, before the Olympics (which never took place due to the boycott), and I had people recognize me from being from Jersey City. But this is beautiful. I spent so much time here. I’m so proud of this.” It was something to get all those people to a schoolyard on a Saturday morning in June. But they all came to pay tribute to the guy known as “Little,” to one of Hudson County’s best basketball players ever. Before he headed off to Chapel Hill, O’Koren was perhaps the best all-around hoopsters to ever come from McGinley Square, earning an NJSIAA Parochial A state title along with another decorated 1,000-point scorer from Hudson Catholic named Jim Spanarkel. Back in the mid-1970s, you couldn’t say one’s name without the other. Spanarkel and O’Koren were like peanut butter and jelly, like Abbott and Costello, like Martin and Lewis. When he graduated from Hudson Catholic, O’Koren’s 1,856 points was the third highest total in Hudson County history, but a handful of players have surpassed O’Koren’s point total. But nothing will take away from his greatness and now young, aspiring players will get to see up close how truly great O’Koren was. And it all began in the St. Joseph’s courtyard, a place that now bears his name for eternity. O’Koren reflected on how playing on the courts, with its famed metal backboards and chain link nets, made him a better shooter from the perimeter. “I tried to shoot the ball high off the backboard,” O’Koren recalled. “If you got it high off the backboard, it would go right in. But you had to shoot it soft. I spent a lot of hours there shooting off the backboard.” Steinmetz, who remains O’Koren’s closest friend, give credit to his buddy. “He could shoot anything,” Steinmetz said. “He could shoot bottle caps. This is just fabulous. It’s well deserved.” Bellifemini organizes youth basketball groups in the area, including the Jersey Bounce Basketball Academy and Team New Jersey Triple Threat that has approximately 300 youngsters participating. Many of those players were on hand for the court dedication. “This was the hotbed of basketball in Jersey City in its day,” Bellifemini said. “I was looking at the court and there was grass in the cracks of the court. I knew we had to do what we could to fix the courts. When Mike retired, I asked him to think about having the courts named after him. I kept my promise to him.” O’Koren was pleased to have his sister, Mary Jane Baker, and her family on hand for the dedication. Mary Jane’s son, Jack Baker, is the current athletic director at Hoboken High School after a brilliant baseball career at St. Peter’s Prep and St. Peter’s University and William Paterson University. O’Koren’s brother, Ron, couldn’t attend, but Mike wanted to make sure his brother got credit as well. Bellifemini credited other members of his organization like Nick Petruzelli, Chris Esposito and Vito Gigante for their assistance in the day. “They haven’t missed a day working with the kids,” Bellifemini said. But this day belonged to the big kid they all call “LIttle.” “I’ve been around the world and wherever I go, they always ask me about Jersey City,” O’Koren said. “It’s love for my hometown, no matter where I go.

In 1978, I was in Russia, walking the streets of Moscow and I had someone come up to me and said, ‘Jersey City.’ It’s home. This is beautiful. I have friends and family here.” And they were there to show a little bit of appreciation for a guy they all know as “Little,” just a little bit of love for one of their own.

Jersey City's Gaglioti a rising star in women's pro boxing

Jenna Gaglioti had somewhat of a conventional life before two years ago. The 30-year-old Jersey City resident attended St. Peter’s University, graduating in 2013 with a degree in biology. Before enrolling at St. Peter’s, Gaglioti was a student at John Jay High School in New York, where she played basketball and softball. She credits her brother Michael and sister Danielle for giving her the inspiration to become an athlete. Back then, Gaglioti was all set to attend nursing school. But something sparked a fire in Gaglioti after she was mugged a handful of times near St. Peter’s and was physically assaulted by someone she had just ended a relationship with. “I was dealing with some rough phases in my life,” Gaglioti said. “My brother always taught me to defend myself. I tried power lifting and started to get into body building. But honestly, I found those things to be a little boring.” At that time, Gaglioti just happened to be walking past Gleason’s Gym in Manhattan and had a revelation. “I wanted to learn how to box,” Gaglioti said. “I used to follow boxing all the time. I was raised by good parents who always instilled in me that women could do whatever they wanted to do, as long as they put their mind to it. That was me.” Gaglioti trained for approximately two years before a friend of hers named Johnny Lopez said he was going to a gym in Jersey City at Public School No. 6. That’s how the unlikely pairing of aspiring boxer Gaglioti and respected local trainer Luis “Mosquito” Gonzalez took flight. Gonzalez has been working with aspiring boxers in Jersey City for the Jersey City Recreation program for the last 30 years. “Johnny introduced me to Mosquito and we instantly hit it off,” Gaglioti said. Gonzalez has worked with his fair share of female boxers over the years. “I guess I’ve had about 50 or so females of all ages,” Gonzalez said. “My doors are always open for females. I’ve been watching females get involved in the sport for a long time. I always treat them equally as I treat men. It’s crazy how I got involved with Jenna. Johnny walked into the gym and told me he had a friend who was interested in getting involved. I didn’t know who she was. I just needed to take a look at her to see how serious she was. And I could tell right away that she was a boxer. Jenna had no idea that Jersey City had a boxing program. Once she knew, she came to the gym every day. And I could see that she worked harder than most men. She just doesn’t stop.” Soon after the first meeting, Gonzalez asked Gaglioti about her goals with the sport. “She said she wanted to fight pro,” Gonzalez said. “I said to her, ‘Can you do this?’ I told her that it was all about her and whether she was willing to put in the time and the work. I could see right away that she had a very professional approach. She said she didn’t want to fight as an amateur. She wanted to step into the ring and see how it goes.” “When I go into the gym, I am very disciplined,” Gaglioti said. “I think I’m harder on myself than anybody. But I felt like I was ready.” Gonzalez wanted to make sure, so he brought Gaglioti to other local boxing people like trainer/promoter Bobby Rooney of Bayonne.

“Bobby liked her and thought she had a lot of potential,” Gonzalez said. “The feedback I got from people about Jenna was all positive. I didn’t hear anything negative.” There was only one obstacle. The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic put an absolute halt to the sports world, never mind an up-close-and-personal sport like boxing. So Gaglioti had to wait out the pandemic and see what transpired. After all, she wasn’t getting any younger. The clock was ticking on a pro boxing career. “When the pandemic hit, everything was stopped,” Gonzalez said, “But the Dominican Republic opened its doors to us.” Last October, Gaglioti had her first pro bout, a four-rounder in Sousa of the Dominican Republic, where the COVID rules were a little less stringent than those in the United States. Gaglioti fought at 155 pounds against Jeanmary Martinez Paulino and won via unanimous decision. Paulino had won all three of her previous fights and the promoters there probably thought that Gaglioti would be a pushover. No such luck. And in February, Gaglioti climbed into the ring for her second pro bout, another four-rounder, again in the Dominican Republic, this time fighting under the promotion of former WBC world middleweight champion Miguel Cotto. Gaglioti won this bout via a technical knockout in the second round. Needless to say, Gaglioti is well on her way. “I just want people in Jersey City to know who she is,” Gonzalez said. “Everyone who sees her fight falls in love with her.” Her next fight is scheduled for May 21, also in the Dominican Republic against an unnamed opponent. “My goal is to get her one more fight in the D.R. and then find somewhere in the United States,” Gonzalez said. “We’ve already been offered a fight in Oakland for later this year. I want to be able to build her into a fighter that Jersey City could be proud of.” Gaglioti has a lot of family in New York and also in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, where her family originates. In the meantime, Gaglioti is keeping herself very busy in the other parts of her life. She works as a home health care aide, working with the rehabilitation of all kinds of patients. Gaglioti is also a personal trainer doing strength and conditioning with clients. She is also working with clothing brands and also dabbles as a model. Needless to say, she’s a very busy young lady. “I really would love to get into working with inner-city kids,” Gaglioti said. “I see the kids who come to work out with Mosquito’s other boxers and I don’t want to see these kids go into the streets. I want to help kids succeed in whatever they do.” And Gaglioti has now found a friend of a lifetime in a guy called Mosquito. “He’s helped me with so much,” Gaglioti said. “He’s more of a father figure to me. He’s not just my coach and trainer. He’s become a friend of mine. I think I’ve thanked him about a million times. He really pushes me hard. We’re just fine tuning things right now. The training will get a lot harder in April.”

Luis "Mosquito" Gonzalez (left) and his prized pupil Jenna Gaglioti Gonzalez is hoping to find a few people that would want to sponsor Gaglioti. If anyone or any business would be interested in sponsoring Gaglioti, you can contact Mosquito at mosquitoboxing@gmail.com. “We’re building a friendship, but it’s still very professional,” Gonzalez said. “I think she respects me for who I am. I’ll do anything for her. We do everything together. We’re a true team.” Gonzalez believes that Gaglioti’s star is certainly on the rise. “I really think she will make it,” Gonzalez said. “She does eight-to-10 rounds in training now. It’s still early in her career, but she has the desire to be among the best in the world. I think she needs about four or five fights before she can make a title bout. I think it helps that she’s getting more welk known. I see so much potential in Jenna. She’s very professional in everything she does. She takes everything so seriously. She really gets me going and makes me work harder. But she has the talent.” Gaglioti knows that the road ahead won’t be easy. But it’s a road in pro boxing that Jenna Gaglioti, the former nursing student at St. Peter’s College, is making a name for herself in pro boxing. “It’s kind of weird to think that I’m a professional boxer now,” Gaglioti said. “It’s also kind of shocking to the people who knew me when. I never thought I would become a professional. I just thought I was going to learn how to hit the bag.” Not anymore. She’s strictly into hitting opponents these days.

St. Peter's greats play 'Remember when'

Bob Fazio fondly recalls his days as a basketball player at a place that was then called St. Peter’s College. “When I played, we had some unbelievable teams and had some unbelievable times,” said Fazio, the school’s No. 5 all-time leading scorer with 1,590 points. “It was a great place to play. It was a lot of fun back then.” Fazio, the Union City native, had the great fortune of having played at the Jersey City Armory and Yanitelli Center when it first opened in 1976. As the Peacocks prepared to play in the biggest game in the school’s rich basketball history, facing Purdue in the NCAA Sweet 16, Fazio, now the president of the prestigious Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, recalled some of his favorite moments as a Peacock. “I remember playing Oregon with Ron Lee and Greg Ballard in the NIT in Madison Square Garden,” Fazio said. “And there were 19,500 fans chanting, ‘Let’s Go Peter’s.’ That was one of my best memories. I remember the first time we played in the Garden, we played Manhattan and they were ranked No. 15 in the country. It was the Saturday before Christmas and the Garden was sold out. We pulled off the victory and made the back page of the (New York) Daily News. Playing in the Garden was so special. I was on the team when we opened Yanitelli Center and I scored the first four points in the building’s history. I made sure no one else was getting the ball that game. My wife (Maureen) said to me the other day that I remember every play of every game and I honestly do.” That’s why Fazio had a gigantic sense of pride when the Peacocks advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, becoming this year’s media darlings, getting attention from all the major media markets like the New York Times, ESPN and the Dan Patrick Show. “I’m very proud and very happy,” Fazio said. “It’s a great thing for this team.” One of Fazio’s teammates was Ken Markowski, a Jersey City/Bayonne boy who was also a 1,000 point scorer at the place affectionately called “Harvard on the Boulevard.” “My hardest working teammate was Bobby Faz,” Markowski said. “He would fit in perfectly with the Peacocks of today.” Markowski currently lives in North Carolina, but his heart never left Jersey City. He fondly recalled one of the greatest Peacocks of all time, namely Elnardo Webster, who unfortunately and ironically passed away this week at the age of 74. “Guys like El were men compared to us,” Markowski said of Webster, who scored 1,163 points in just two varsity seasons with the Peacocks. Webster was part of the famed “Run Baby Run” Peacock team of 1968 that upset Duke in the NIT quarterfinals. “Guys like El, Harry (Laurie) and Teddy (Martiniuk) taught us to be tough. I remember going to practice in the Armory, but we had to wear sweatsuits, because it was always so cold.” Rick Baker was another member of those SPC teams with Markowski. “I remember going to watch those great St. Peter’s teams practice when I was in high school,” Baker said. “When I was a freshman with Marko and Keith (Cerruti), we would scrimmage against the older guys like Teddy Martiniuk and (former New Jersey state senator and later U.S. Congressman) Albio Sires.” Cerruti would go on to become a respected basketball official, but is more remembered for his on-the-court altercation with Larry Fogle of Canisius, who was the nation’s leading scorer at the time. “I enjoyed every minute of it,” C erruti said. “I remember Marko making a great 360-degree move in the NIT against Ron Lee in mid-air. It was one of the most unbelievable moves I’ve ever seen. Seeing my friends Marko and Ricky improve as much as they did was a thrill. It was a great time to be involved in college basketball.” Cerruti and Baker both literally grew up blocks from the SPC campus, so watching the current Peacocks do as well as they’re doing means a lot to both long-time friends and teammates. Another former Peacock great is Daren Rowe, a New Rochelle, N.Y. native who played for the Peacocks in the mid-1980s, eventually earning All-MAAC and All-Metropolitan New York/New Jersey his senior year playing for head coach Ted Fiore. “I’m really happy for this team, happy and proud, as proud as a Peacock,” said Rowe, who was an assistant coach at Montclair State under Fiore and eventually became Fiore’s replacement at Montclair State when Fiore retired seven years ago. “I think it’s great that this team is getting the recognition that they deserved. This team doesn’t back down to anyone. I’m just prideful, joyous and ecstatic for this team.” Rowe said that he has been able to connect with some of his former teammates, as well as other Peacock alumni, during the Peacocks’ improbable run to the Sweet 16. “I’m glad to see St. Peter’s finally getting some respect,” Rowe said. “I’m not surprised with what we’ve done. We’ve always been known as a defensive-minded, hard-nosed team. We’ve always been good defensively.” Rowe said that his teams always just “went out and played.” “This really has brought back a lot of great memories,” Rowe said. “Watching this team brought back thoughts of great teams, great teammates. We were a close-knit group.” Rowe’s coach Fiore didn’t want to detract from the incredible coaching job done by current St. Peter’s head coach Shaheen Holloway. “He deserves all the credit,” said Fiore, the second winningest coach in St. Peter’s basketball history. “Shaheen has done a great job with this team. He really got this team prepared to play in the tournament. I’m really happy for Shaheen and his team.” John Dunne, the current head coach at Marist College, was the head coach at St. Peter’s when the Peacocks last made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament, ironically losing to Friday night’s opponent in Philadelphia Purdue. Dunne also has fond memories of his days coaching the Peacocks. “I think there’s always going to be a sense of pride,” Dunne said. “I think it’s fantastic, what they’re doing, representing the MAAC. It made me think back to the whirlwind that we went through (back in 2011). It was a frenzied time, but this is even more so. It’s intensified now because it’s the Sweet 16. But it certainly brings back memories, memories that last a lifetime.” Fazio is proof of that. “I am the greatest champion for St. Peter’s basketball,” Fazio said. “I loved the place. I love giving back to the school. You can’t buy the feelings I have for the school.” Feelings that obviously never fade long after the final buzzer sounds.

Union City's girls represent Hudson's last standing team

When the high school basketball season began a few months ago in early December, the Union City High School girls' team found themselves in a bit of a predicament. The Soaring Eagles lost their first five games of the new season. A year after having to miss a majority of their games due to COVID-19, the Soaring Eagles were on the wrong side of the ledger five straight times to begin the new campaign. A lot of other teams might have folded up the tents and given up on a season after five setbacks to start the season. But a lot of those teams aren't coached by Carlos Cueto. Cueto, the former St. Anthony High School and University of Richmond point guard, had made stops along the way coaching with the famed St. Michael's CYO program in his adopted hometown of Union City, where Cueto was raised. He then also was the head boys' coach at Secaucus High School before taking the position as girls' basketball coach in the district where he has been a long-time teacher. Cueto remained determined even after the brutal 0-5 start to the season. "The girls were all surprisingly upbeat even after the 0-5 start," Cueto said. "They just kept showing up for practice, kept their heads up and kept working hard. They never once quit. That says a lot." Sure does, because the Soaring Eagles made it all the way to the recent Hudson County Tournament finale, where they lost to Bayonne, 39-23, in a shocking offensive freefall. It was almost as if someone put a steel lid on top of the Soaring Eagles' basket and kept the ball from falling through the nets. That loss was on a Saturday afternoon. "We had not much time to be down on ourselves," Cueto said. "It was such a quick turnaround from Saturday to Monday." The Soaring Eagles earned the No. 1 seed in the NJSIAA's North Jersey Section 1, Group IV bracket, so that was good news. "We were the top seed, so it meant that we never had to leave playing at home," Cueto said. "We could just stay home and relax." Well, the Soaring Eagles didn't exactly take it easy in the postseason, taking their game to the state sectional without having to climb on a bus. They defeated Barringer, 62-32, in the opening round, then moved on to knock off Columbia of South Orange/Maplewood, 53-36 in the sectional quarterfinals, beat Paterson Eastside, 52-41, in the sectional semifinals and finally handled Morristown, 48-37, to capture the first-ever state sectional girls' basketball championship in school history.

Cueto gave credit to his senior class for making the state playoff run. "They showed a lot of leadership," Cueto said. "I think they deserve a lot of the credit. They kept winning and said, 'Why not us?' They believed in themselves." And now, later today, the Soaring Eagles will now have to board a bus to face Section 2 champion Westfield in the overall state Group IV semifinals at Franklin Township High School in Somerset. Game time is 5 p.m. The Soaring Eagles have now won 21 of their last 23 games, easily the hottest team in the Group IV bracket. True, Westfield defefated Bayonne in their sectional semifinals, so that doesn't play well for the Soaring Eagles. But that doesn't deter the Soaring Eagles in their quest for state immortality. "I think they saw what the boys did a couple of years ago (the Union City boys' team won the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group IV crown in 2020) and wanted to do the same," Cueto said. "I love my team. I love these kids. They have stuck together all year to get to this point." Senior Erika Mercedes has been the team's leader. Mercedes is averaging 15 points per game in her third straight All-Hudson County type of season. Fellow seniors include point guard Elainy Pichardo and forward Fernanda Young. Sophomore Jaylyn Orefice has been a solid second scorer, averaging 13.8 points per contest. Orefice tossed in a team-high 19 points in the sectional championship victory over Morristown. And another key contributor is Cueto's daughter Alyssa, a solid playmaking guard. So whatever happens later today happens. Nothing will ever take away the state sectional title the Soaring Eagles captured after the inconspicuous start. The rest of Hudson County's hoopsters have gone home for the spring. One team remains. All hail the Soaring Eagles.

Hudson's Hawks claim another Hudson hoop title

Tahaad Pettiford was in seventh grade the last time Hudson Catholic won the Hudson County Boys' Basketball Tournament title, back at a time when it was almost an annual occurrence that the Hawks were crowned as the county's best. The Hawks had set a new record for consecutive county championships when they won their seventh straight title in 2018. But the streak came to an end in 2019, when Union City defeated the Hawks and a year later, St. Peter's Prep won the championship. There was no county tourney in 2021 due to the pandemic. Pettiford was in grade school, but remember knowing full well that he wanted to attend Hudson Catholic. "It was all about Coach Nick (Mariniello)," Pettiford said. "He's the reason why I came to Hudson Catholic. I knew he would make me a better player." Saturday afternoon, Pettiford showed everyone how he's a great player right now as a sophomore. The sweet shooting southpaw tallied a team-high 25 points, leading Hudson Catholic to a 60-55 win over rival St. Peter's Prep to win the Hudson County Tournament title before a packed house at High Tech High School in Secaucus. The two rivals have met each other three times this season, with the Hawks taking two-of-three. And there's a chance that the two teams could meet again in the NJSIAA Parochial A North state tournament Friday night, a game that would be played at Hudson Catholic. ' The Hawks took control of the game in the first quarter, courtesy of a 15-2 run over the final 3:43 of the quarter, with Pettiford scoring five of those points. Junior Elijah Gertrude had seven of his 12 points during that span, as the Hawks held a commanding 22-9 lead after the first quarter. Holding the high-flying Marauders to just nine points the first quarter was a credit to the Hawks' defense. "I would have to say our defense set the tone," Mariniello said. "I knew that from that point, they would be chasing after us." And a team has to exude so much energy trying to come from behind, no matter who is playing for the other team. Mark Armstrong became the all-time leading scorer in the history of St. Peter's Prep basketball with his first five points of the game and the Villanova-bound Armstrong ended with 32 points. But that meant that the rest of the Marauders managed just 23 points.

Also, the Hawks had a field day at the free throw line, connecting on 18-of-22 from the stripe, including their first nine straight to start the game. "We did a great job with our free throws," Mariniello said. "We weren't that good all season." The Hawks held a 31-17 lead at the half and saw the lead dwindle to jusy four at 45-41 with 6:12 left. But while the Marauders were celebrating the comeback, Pettiford calmly came down the floor and drained an uncontested three-pointer that pushed the lead back to seven. Pettiford then drove the length of the floor and threw down a slam with his right hand to make the score 50-44 with 3:09 left. Those two big shots pretty much sealed the deal. Mariniello said that the Hawks received an emotional boost by having classmate Antonio Sellers in attendance. Sellers was a basketball star-in-the-making when he was stopped by a brain tumor that has required several surgeries over the last two years. "Having Antonio here really meant the world to our team," Mariniello said. "His spirit and passion was felt by everyone here." When the time came to collect the trophy, Sellers, who would have been a senior this year, was with his friends and classmates to secure the hardware. "This was a lot of fun, but we want to keep it going," Pettiford said. The teams may just get together again later this week.

Another Hudson County title for Bayonne girls

Veteran Bayonne High School girls' basketball coach James Turner knew that there was only one way to defeat Union City in the Hudson County Tournament championship game Saturday afternoon. Simply put, the Bees had to lace and tighten their collective sneakers, look deep inside their collective souls and play defense against one of the top offensive teams in the county. If the Bees were to collect yet another county crown, it had to be on the defensive end of the floor. "It was all about defense," Turner said. "We had to blitz them. I knew that the game would be won or lost in the first quarter." The Bees certainly did exactly that. They shut the Soaring Eagles out early on, outscoring Union City, 11-0, in the opening stages. It was almost a carbon copy of the last time there was a county tournament in Hudson County. In 2020, the Bees raced out to an early lead in the title game against Hudson Catholic, scoring the game's first 13 points, and never looked back. Saturday in the same location (High Tech High School in Secaucus), it was like deja vu all over again. The Bees grabbed the early double digit lead and never trailed, securing a 39-23 win over the Soaring Eagles, to capture the eighth county crown in Turner's career and the astounding and almost unthinkable 27th county title in the school's history. The prior 19 county titles were captured under the guidance and leadership of legendary Hall of Fame coach Jeff Stabile. Turner offered his team some sound advice right before the opening tip. "I told them that we had been here before (there was no county tournament held last year due to COVID-19) and that they should not let the game be bigger than you," Turner said. "I told them that they couldn't panic and that they should just play their game." The Bees' three seniors, namely Eniya Scott (headed to Fairleigh Dickinson-Teaneck in the fall on a scholarship), Julyssa Moody and Jalaiyah Smith all played like the poised senior leaders that they are. While Scott didn't have her best game, she was definitely in control and wouldn't allow the Soaring Eagles (making their first-ever appearance in a county title game) to make any sustainable run. "I think being here before made this one a little less nervewracking," Scott said. "I think we were definitely able to prepare for this game because we had been here before."

Moody agreed. "I think it helped because everyone knew their assignments," Moody said. "The first quarter set the tone for the entire game. You never know. They could have hit a couple of threes and got right back into it. But we wouldn't let it happen." Union City head coach Carlos Cueto knew that his team was in trouble after that first quarter, when there appeared to be a lid on the Soaring Eagles' basket. Nothing they threw up went in. "When you're playing a good veteran team, a team with good experience, it's tough to come back against," Cueto said. "We had a chance, cutting it to six in the third quarter, but then they hit two big shots and that was it. The pressure got to us early and we couldn't respond to it. They were ready to play and we weren't." The two teams split their games in the regular season, but this time, it was all Bayonne, like the experienced team they are. The Soaring Eagles have a relatively young roster and they will be back, although losing senior guard Erika Mercedes will be a big one to overcome. Turner knows that his team will be ready for another challenge next season. "This is as good as it gets," Turner said. "It never gets old. I think it's good for the school and the community. Other girls will see us win and want to be a part of it. But the bottom line here was that we played defense." Holding a team to just 23 points in a county championship game? Yeah, that's as good as it gets.

Fitting tribute for Jersey City hoops legend Rooney

It might have been a few years in the making because of the coronavirus pandemic, but Friday night was well worth the wait. That's because Jersey City basketball legend Mike Rooney got his just rewards, when the gymnasiumn at Snyder High School was renamed in his honor. The 78-year-old Rooney was honored with a celebration at halftime of the Snyder-McNair Academic game, with a host of Rooney's basketball brethren on hand. Rooney's uniform number 32 was retired and a beautiful banner was placed on the walls of the gym with his 1,626 point total and his three-time All-Hudson County and twice All-State on the banner as well.

A lot of people might recognize Rooney for being the long-time athletic director at County Prep or for organizing his Jersey City Recreation basketball league that was played at Dickinson High School for more than 40 years. But before all of that, Rooney was a basketball legend -- and that's an understatement. At Snyder from 1961 through 1963, he was recognized as a Parade All-American who played in his fair share of All-Star games up and down the East Coast. In college, Rooney first attended St. Bonaventure University, where he quickly became a complete legend for his actions on and off the court, then after he was asked to leave the Bonnies, he ended up at the University of Oklahoma where he earned his degree. Yes, he has a college degree, but that was mostly earned in basketball, where he averaged close to 30 points per game during his time in Norman. From there, Rooney was a late-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Lakers and played professional basketball in the old Eastern League, which was just a little more competitive than today's NBA G-League, considering that the NBA had only 12 teams back then as opposed to the 32 teams the NBA currently houses. Needless to say, it was much tougher to make it in pro basketball in the early 1960s. Rooney also played in a slew of semi-pro leagues in the area, showing off his incredible shooting range. People today marvel at the range of Steph Curry, nailing shots from 30 feet on a regular basis. Well, that was Rooney's game. Onlookers were astonished with the way Rooney drained long-range jumpers from 35, even 40 feet, with regularity. It was amazing to some. To Rooney, it was commonplace. When one throws the word around "legend," chances are that it doesn't really fit the person, but in the case of Mike Rooney, he wears the tag of legend the way most men wear a necktie. In Rooney's case, legend doesn't even begin to describe what he was as a player. The best way I personally can attest to his legendary status stems from a day more than 30 years ago. I was the sports information director at St. Peter's College and we were playing St. Bonaventure in a game early in the 1989-90 season. The radio announcers for St. Bonaventure asked me if I would be the halftime guest that game. I gladly agreed to do the interview, figuring that the announcers would ask me about the Peacocks. The entire 10 minute span was spent talking about one topic: Mike Rooney. That's the best way to describe a legend. We didn't once talk about St. Peter's College basketball, which was my job, promoting the Peacocks and the program. Nope. The whole thing was about Rooney -- and he was removed from Olean, N.Y. for about 30 years at that point. Rooney had the distinction of being one of the first players in NCAA history to score more than 1,000 points for two schools -- St. Bonaventure and Oklahoma. After his playing days were over (and he played competitively well into his 40s), Rooney concentrated on being the first-ever athletic director at County Prep in Jersey City and running his popular men's basketball league at Dickinson High School. Thousands of men paraded through Rooney's popular league, finding a way to remain competitive, led by the man who is truly a basketball legend in the city that he never left. He's a legend in places like upstate New York and Norman, Oklahoma as well. Rooney was extremely humbled by the honor that was bestowed upon him. "To think the gym is being named after me? That's just incredible," Rooney said. "I'll always be a Snyder guy. I can think of about 20 others who deserve this more than me. I don't deserve this. I love to be the one who is joking, but this is serious. It's a great honor and I can't thank the people behind it who made it possible. It shows that the people in this building did their job, the teachers, the principals, they prepared me for life. It shows me that they were successful in doing their jobs. But I don't deserve this." Bob Martin, who was Rooney's teammate and an All-County player like Rooney, was happy to be on hand for the celebration.

From left, Ed Petersen, Bob Hurley, Mike Rooney and Bob Martin get together to celebrate the gym at Snyder being named after Rooney and his jersey number being retired. "I wouldn't have missed this for the world," Martin said. "It was an honor and pleasure to have played with this guy. Never once did it cross our minds that he was a ball hog or someone who shot too much. No, we made sure we got him the ball, because we knew it was going in. He hardly missed from wherever he shot on the court. Just to be on the court with him was a tremendous honor. I'm glad that they did this for Mike. He deserves it." Ed Petersen, the retired FBI agent who also served in security for Major League Baseball and the NFL, played with and against Rooney in his various leagues. "It means the world to me to be here," Petersen said. "I wouldn't have missed this for anything. Mike was so enjoyable to play with over the years. When he got hot, he couldn't miss no matter where he was on the court. He was tremendous to watch and even better to play with. He's been a good friend for all these years. I'm glad that they did this to honor Mike. He's a great man." Now, the students of Snyder will recognize the immense talents that Rooney possessed every time they walk into the gym and see the giant banner with his name on it. It was a great honor for a great man, one that will last in perpetuity. One of Jersey City's best hoopsters has his name attached to the gym and students will get to know a little more about someone who is a true legend, a man deserving of the title and deserving of the honor bestowed upon him Friday night. Congrats to Mike Rooney, one of Jersey City's best hoopsters of all-time.

SDA's Bethel, Sullivan share the Female Athlete of the Year honors

One arrived with a strong background in track and field from grammar school. The other never ran a yard in her life, concentrating more on becoming a competitive Irish step dancer. But Milani Bethel and Kayla Sullivan enrolled at St. Dominic Academy simultaneously and the two members of the SDA Class of 2021 combined to lead the Blue Devils to several championships, including the school’s first NJSIAA state championship in almost 30 years. Bethel was the workhorse, the versatile athlete who could compete in practically every event. In fact, Bethel once lent her services to the good of her team by attempting to throw the shot put. “It went okay,” Bethel laughed. “It was a one-time thing.” Bethel’s foray into track and field began in grade school in Bayonne. “I was 10 years old, attending St. Francis Academy,” Bethel said. “There was a track team at the school. I tried other sports like basketball and gymnastics, but I lacked coordination to play. I tried playing soccer for about a week. The same with swimming. I just didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. It wasn’t my thing.” In fact, track and field didn’t appear to be Bethel’s thing either. “I actually didn’t like it at first,” Bethel said. “I didn’t like running all the miles.” But Bethel’s father, Chris, told his daughter to give the sport a decent shot. Chris played basketball and ran track in high school. “He told me that I would like the experience,” Bethel said. “So I decided to stick with it. I did like the team bonding. I just kind of fit.” Bethel’s first major success took place in the seventh grade, when she qualified for the United States Track and Field junior nationals. “We all pushed each other and helped me stay focused,” Bethel said. At the same time, Sullivan was content with being a competitive Irish dancer, even though Sullivan came from excellent track and field roots. “My aunt was a really great runner, but she didn’t want to push me,” Kayla Sullivan said. Sullivan’s aunt, Liane Sullivan Rae, was one of the greatest performers in St. Dominic Academy history, eventually earning her rightful place in the Hudson County Sports Hall of Fame. The former Liane Sullivan was a phenomenal distance runner for the Blue Devils in the late 1980s. Kayla Sullivan said that the family roots had nothing to do with her decision to give running a try. “I wish I could say that it was, but I never felt any pressure,” Sullivan said. “I never planned to break any of my aunt’s records. I wish there was some tall tale to tell. Joking around, looking back, there was never any family trash talk.” Sullivan said that she dabbled with running in eighth grade and like her future SDA teammate Bethel, Sullivan said that she loved the team aspect of the sport. “I had the best time at practice,” Sullivan said. “A lot of people might think otherwise, but you really can have fun. Maybe it’s about misery loving company.” Sullivan almost walked away from the sport before she even started. “I went to cross country camp two weeks before school was supposed to start,” Sullivan said. “I was really scared. I said to myself, ‘How am I going to do this?’” As it turned out, Bethel and Sullivan became two of the greatest athletes in the history of Hudson County track and field. They won countless Hudson County Track Coaches Association titles, with Sullivan winning two HCTCA cross country championships and the NJSIAA North Jersey state sectional crown, as the Blue Devils and Sullivan both posting undefeated state titles her senior year. “She finished third at the SDA cross country meet and didn’t lose another race,” said veteran SDA head coach and athletic director John Nagel. “In the indoor and outdoor seasons, she didn’t lose in the half (800-meter), mile (1,600-meter) and two-mile (3,200-meter). That’s very unique.” Bethel was also a member of that cross country team, but her strength came on the track with her immense versatility in several different events, during both the indoor and outdoor seasons. Bethel won county and state championships in the 110 and 400-meter hurdles, as well as the high jump, long jump and triple jump. “Bethel’s diversity and willingness to do different things is clearly her legacy,” Nagel said. Both Bethel and Sullivan became two of the most decorated products of the vastly successful SDA track and field program, even sharing a championship at the historic Penn Relays, bringing home the first Penn Relays wheel for SDA in more than 20 years. So it was only fitting that the two would share the Jim Hague Sports Co-Female Athlete of the Year. The two Blue Devils became the fifth and sixth athletes to receive the year-end honors. Cheri Selby was the first to receive the award in 1994-1995, but that was a time when only one Athlete of the Year was honored. In 2002, it was determined that one male and one female should get the year-end award. Since that time, three other SDA products were honored, with all three coming from the storied Blue Devil cross country and track and field programs. Christine Capetola (2004-2005), Camille Bertholon (2015-2016) and Malia Gray (2016-2017) also received the honor, given to the top male and female athlete who starred in more than one varsity sport during their high school careers. More than 30 different male and female athletes have been honored as the respective top all-around athlete in Hudson County sports. Jamling Lama of Secaucus received the Jim Hague Sports Male Athlete of the Year earlier this year. Nagel never likes comparing one of his current Blue Devils with those of the past, but knows one thing. “They’re both destined for the Hudson County Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame,” Nagel said. “They both contributed a lot, brought a lot to the table. They gave equal contributions to what has become the golden age of this program. The teams did well locally and beyond in their tenure. I think they have to appear on the Mount Rushmore of St. Dominic Academy track. Bethel’s range is something that we try to coach in every athlete. Kayla has a drive that she’s just going to win every race. I love her drive. It was amazing to have both together.” Bethel agrees. “It’s crazy to think we were on the same team together,” said Bethel, who considers Sullivan as her best friend. “The bond we enjoyed is like nothing else. I remember our first race it really hit me that we could make a future in this.” Remarkably, the two were able to achieve their heights in the middle of a global pandemic. The coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic forced hundreds of thousands of athletes nationwide to the sidelines. But both Bethel and Sullivan have left their indelible marks on both SDA and Hudson County history. Sullivan heads to Rutgers University, but her competitive track and field career is over. Bethel is off to San Diego State, where she plans to try to walk on to the Aztecs’ incredible track and field program. “I knew we had a chance to do something great, but every time I take a picture and hang it up on the wall at home, well, those pictures add up,” Bethel said. “I remember our last practice at Garret Mountain (Reserve in Woodland Park) and I was wondering where I would finish in the race,” Sullivan said. “John (Nagel) said that he thought I was going to win. I didn’t know.” Sullivan won that race, her final cross country race of her career. It was a fitting ending – and then there was this award. “Milani is my best friend,” Sullivan said. “We grew up together since freshman year. We shared a lot of struggles together. It’s amazing to think we shared this together. I definitely have no regrets. At the end of the day, we grew up together and learned a lot together. I’m grateful to have had Milani with me. I’m sad it’s over, but I’m super happy I can share this my kids one day.”

From left, Kayla Sullivan and Milani Bethel display their Jim Hague Soorts Co-Athlete of the Year award with St. Dominic Academy head coach and athletic director John Nagel. HUDSON COUNTY—JIM HAGUE SPORTS FEMALE ATHLETES OF THE YEAR 1994-1995-Cheri Selby, St. Dominic Academy 2000-2001-Tiffany Aciz, Secaucus 2003-2004-Mercedes Nunez, Memorial 2004-2005-Christine Capetola, St. Dominic Academy 2005-2006-Nicole Degenhardt, Secaucus 2006-2007-Leslie Njoku, McNair Academic & Cory Roesing, Secaucus 2007-2008-Jenna Totaro, Secaucus 2008-2009-Jennifer Mateo, Union City 2009-2010-Ashley Barron, Hoboken 2010-2011-Shannon Waters, Secaucus 2011-2012-Sybil Lynch, Hoboken 2012-2013-Danielle Roesing, Secaucus 2013-2014-Carolina Herrera, North Bergen 2014-2015-Julia McClure, Secaucus 2015-2016-Camille Bertholon, St. Dominic Academy 2016-2017-Malia Gray, St. Dominic Academy 2017-2018-Nyasia Mixson, Hoboken 2018-2019-Claire Chapeau, McNair Academic 2019-2020-Alicia Campbell, Snyder 2020-2021-Milani Bethel & Kayla Sullivan, St. Dominic Academy

My 'Field of Dreams' column from when the movie was released

This column was first printed in the pages of the now-defunct Hudson Dispatch on June 29, 1989. It ended up winning several different awards from the New Jersey Press Association, the North Jersey Press Club and the Garden State Society of Journalists. It was also reprinted in Reader’s Digest later that year (although I never got credit, the paper did). For several years, the clipping sat in an old Avon box in my basement. We had a major flood two years ago that ruined a lot of my old clippings, including several of the old Dispatch articles. But somehow, this one survived. It’s very weather beaten and faded, but it survived. Because of the Yankees playing the White Sox tonight in the game in a special Field of Dreams contest, i figured it was time to blow the gust off it a little bit and repost in honor of Kevin Costner. So this is for all you fathers who played catch with their sons. Thanks to all who are responsible for "Field of Dreams," baseball fans and those who are not fans of our National Pastime. I didn't know if there were members in that latter collection. Here goes, a flashback to 1989 and my glory days as a sportswriter.

I ventured to the movie theater the other day. No, not to see “Batman” or even “Ghostbusters II.” I’m not a trendy type of guy. In fact, I’m a little behind the times. I saw “Field of Dreams.” OK, so the rest of the western world has already plunked down the cash to see “Field of Dreams.” We’re in the midst of a blockbuster movie season. “Field of Dreams” is old news to movie freaks. After all, it was only released nine weeks ago. But “Field of Dreams” is about baseball _ sort of. And besides, “Batman” is not about Don Mattingly. I am a sportswriter at last check. And I’m a movie fan. Just a tardy movie fan, that’s all. I had to go see it. Who cares if I’m late?and I heard so many things about the movie. It was supposed to be the best thing ever to happen to baseball movies _ which wouldn’t be a hard feat, considering that most baseball flicks flounder. I went with an open mind, waiting to be disappointed. I left feeling wonderful, feeling alive, feeling good. “Field of Dreams” touched me more than any other movie. It was clearly the best picture I’ve ever witnessed. And my strong feelings about “Field of Dreams” had nothing to do with baseball. It had to do with life. Or, for that matter, afterlife. For those who have not had the chance to see “Field of Dreams” _ like all seven of you _ you can stop reading here. Take my word for it, the movie is excellent. It’s the best thing you’ll see all year. Now, for you other fortunate folk. Let’s face it. “Field of Dreams” has its flaws. I mean, Shoeless Joe Jackson batted left-handed in real life and threw right. In this movie, the exact opposite. He batted right and threw left. Brings up a good question. Do your extremities become mirror images after death? Only Elvis can answer that one. Remind me to ask him the next time the King is spotted at a 7-11 in Michigan. Elvis probably shoots at TVs with his left these days. Gil Hodges is mentioned to be on the “Field of Dreams.” But there were no Brooklyn Dodgers uniforms to be found. Still, this movie was absolute perfection to me, because it was able to touch me in a way that some people can relate tieldo _ but hopefully not many. Because of one movie, I got in touch with the huge vacancy that has been dominating my life for the last 18 years _ namely the absence of my father. I was 10 when cancer snuffed Jack Hague away from me. He was sick, dead and gone within one month’s time in 1971. He was my everything. He was my inspiration, my motivation, my life. He was my Little League manager, my friend. He taught me so much about life in 10 short years _ and then he was gone. It left me with a brother who was 60 miles away with his own family, a sister who was maturing rapidly _ and a loving mother, who had to be both parents from that point on. It was not easy. Especially because of my obsession with sports _ something I shared with my Dad. We would watch ball games together, talk baseball constantly, play catch in my backyard. With no father, those times came to an abrupt halt. I longed for the days of playing catch in the yard. They were long gone. “Stop throwing like a girl, James,” I could hear him saying. “Step and throw.” There were so many times in 1972, the first year after my father’s death, that I would stand in the yard, hoping he would come back. I just kept standing there, smacking the ball into my empty glove. Little League was no longer fun without my Dad. It was a struggle to play for some other manager. That summer, my mother bought me a “Pitch-Back,” the net that snapped the ball back to you after you tossed it. However, the damn thing never offered advice. It never told me what I was doing wrong. It just stood there. And the “Pitch-Back” could never tell me what I was doing wrong in life. Of course, my mother did _ and worked hard at it. But living with two women and no man’s view of life certainly was no breeze for a moody kid who found his only release through sports. As time went on, I tended to forget about my Dad. Not entirely, but enough that he wasn’t a major part of my life anymore. I lost his set of values, his standards. I forgot what Jack Hague stood for. I wanted to be independent, my own person. I couldn’t fill the shoes of a memory. Sure, sports remained my one constant _ and still is today. Without it, I would be lost. But most of all the other values I thought I had disappeared. People think I’ve lived a good life, an exciting life. But it’s been fairly shallow. I never realized that until recently _ and never more so until I saw “Field of Dreams.” It was a total awakening for me. I knew how important my father was _ and still is. Sure, my father was gone, but I should never let him stop being my parent. I should have left his values live on in my life instead of being pigheaded and stubborn and wanting to be something and someone else. “Field of Dreams” touched me so much that I wanted to build a field in my backyard, albeit a small patch of brown grass nestled in Jersey City. And all the greats of yesteryear who are now departed could come back. They wouldn’t even need an invitation.

Gil Hodges would wear a Met uniform and run the show. Thurman Munson would be behind the plate. Satchel Paige on the mound, Lou Gehrig at first _ and Jackie Robinson stealing bases all night. And the players would leave a little spot where right field would be, just enough for a grey-haired man with a three-finger glove could throw some high hard ones to his son. “Field of Dreams” did what it was supposed to do _ make us all dream. It made me dream _ of the days when my father taught me about baseball and life. I almost took those days for granted. I look back now and cherish. I never realized how much I truly missed my father. So this is somewhat of an open call to all our readers. Stop, take time out and realize how important your father is. Sure, there may be some differences and there may be some strife, but the day may come when your father is suddenly not there _ and that vacant feeling of his loss almost gets a stranglehold of you. I know what that feeling is like. I knew it 18 years ago _ and I rediscovered that huge gap 11 days ago. Yes, Fathers’ Day, the day I saw “Field of Dreams.” I had totally forgotten it was Fathers’ Day. It was so totally ironic I saw the movie on that day. I’ll never forget Fathers’ Day again. That’s why I love the movies so much _ and why “Field of Dreams” is the best movie I’ve ever seen. I found my Dad. I’m grateful for Hollywood for that. That’s why I’m asking all of you to find your fathers, too. While he’s still around.

Roberto Clemente softball heads to RBI World Series in Florida

Gabe Villanueva has been coaching softball for a long time now, ever since his daughters, Mariah and Mya, signed up to play for the Roberto Clemente Little League softball program. So Villanueva knew first hand that he had assembled a good team to play in Major League Baseball’s Rebuilding Baseball in the Inner-City (RBI) Northeast Regional softball tournament a few weeks ago. “I didn’t know much about the competition,” Villanueva said. “I knew that Hoboken had a good team. They always have a good team in this tournament. But I knew we had some talent. We were going to take it game-by-game.” Villanueva remembered that Hoboken, under the guidance of Hoboken High School head softball coach Vinnie Johnson, has been a staple of success in the RBI tournament, making several appearances in the RBI World Series. “We were basically flying blind,” Villanueva said. “But the girls were very comfortable with each other, very comfortable.” So the Clemente RBI took on the comers at the RBI Northeast Regional last week and won all four games in the tourney to punch their ticket to the RBI World Series in Vero Beach, Florida. The Clemente All-Stars will head to Florida Sunday morning to play in the RBI World Series, a round robin tourney that will feature eight of the nation’s top softball teams. “I’m happy for the kids,” Villanueva said. “I want them to soak it all in. They’re getting to play against girls from all across the country. It’s exciting. I just want them to work hard and be proud.” Clemente will play its first game of the tourne

y on Monday and they hope to be playing when the final round commences Friday. Leading the way for the Clemente All-Stars is the Hudson County Player of the Year Jordan Mendolla of Hudson County Tournament champion Hudson Catholic. Mendolla is a dominant pitcher and a solid hitter. “She’s focused right now,” Villanueva said. “What I like is when it’s game time, she turns everything else off and concentrates on getting the batter. She puts that game face on and is all business.” Mendolla defeated Hoboken in the semifinals, then defeated Hoboken again, 5-2, in the championship round. “It’s not easy beating the same team twice in a week,” Villanueva said. “She did a great job.”

Backing Mendolla up on the mound is Lisa Frias from Elizabeth. Once teams are eliminated from the tourney, like Elizabeth was last week, teams are able to draft players from the eliminated teams. That’s how Frias earned her stripes with Clemente. “Lisa can play anywhere,” Villanueva said. “She can play second base, left field, catcher and pitcher. She comes to me and says, ‘I can do whatever you want.’ She’s impressive.” The team’s catchers are Mariah Villanueva, an All-Hudson County honoree during her playing days at McNair Academic and now plays at New Jersey City University, and Julia Sanchez from Hudson Catholic. Mya Villanueva is the team’s regular third baseman. The coach has enjoyed coaching his daughters. “It’s been a pleasure,” the elder Villanueva said. “It’s a little sad to see them growing up.” The dad will get a chance to see his daughters perform together in the spring as both will continue their playing careers at New Jersey City University. The first basemen are Ayla Hernandez of Rutherford and Najiah Classen of Hudson Catholic. Classen is expected to be Mendolla’s replacement at Hudson Catholic in the spring. Haley O’Connor of Hudson Catholic is the team’s second baseman with the slick fielding, clutch hitting Cheyann Fulton manning shortstop. Fulton is headed to Barry University in Florida to play college softball. “Cheyann is the team’s mainstay,” Villanueva said. “She’s one of the best defensive shortstops I’ve ever seen.” Fulton has a very hectic schedule over the next few weeks. She will head to the Sunshine State to play with her Jersey City buddies, then come home next weekend and two days later, head back to Florida to begin school at Barry. “It’s very wild,” Fulton said. “It means everything to me to play with this team. It’s a business trip for me. I’m not packed. I don’t even know what I’m taking. I’ve never played softball in Florida before. I’m very excited about it.” Fulton will major in athletic training in Barry. Mya Villanueva and Snyder graduate Emily Borowski are Clemente’s third basemen. “It means a lot for me to be on this team,” Mya Villanueva said. “We’re getting the chance to leave a good mark, make a good name for kids from Jersey City. We really have a special bond. It’s going to be a lot of fun and I get to share it with my sister and my dad. I missed playing with my sister. We’re going to try to make people of Jersey City proud.” Mya Villanueva will major in exercise science at NJCU. The feel-good story of the team is left fielder Jermirah Birchett, who is without question a rising star. The reason for the happy thoughts? Birchett is only 13 years old, playing on a team that features players 18 and under. That’s five years difference for those lacking mathematics skills. Some of this Clemente team is already in college. Birchett is headed to the eighth grade at the Jersey City Middle School. “You’re going to hear her name a lot in the future,” Villanueva said. “She does it all. She’s the next up-and-comer. She just turned 13. And she’s more than holding her own here.” Birchett is enjoying her time with the team. “I was surprised and excited to make the team,” Birchett said. “I’m getting this great opportunity. I was a little nervous, because the others on this team are very good. I’m the small one next to them. But this has been a major confidence booster. It helps me get my name out there.” Angelina Navarro is the team’s centerfielder. The former Ferris High School All-County performer is headed to Pace University and will try out for the team there. She has been playing softball for Roberto Clemente softball program since she was nine years old. “I didn’t think this was going to happen,” Navarro said about the sojourn south to play. “I had a job set up for the summer, but now I will give it up to go play in Florida. So we better win.” Navarro said the last line with a laugh. “I’m very excited about this,” Navarro said. Right field duties are being shared Gina Estrada, a former Ferris standout now at Monmouth University and Meredith Antonio, the sister of All-County baseball star Andy Antonio, who first starred at Ferris and ended up at Hudson Catholic. Two players who would have played key roles on the team are injured and will not play. Jaylen Berrios, who wateras a fine player at Bayonne, and Zoe Mays, the 13-year-old granddaughter of famed Olympic track and field athlete, the late Charlie Mays. The elder Villanueva is confident with his team’s chances. “We have a lot of talent,” Villanueva said. “I hope the girls realize that.” After watching the team practice last week at Enos Jones Field in downtown Jersey City and see them hit rocket after rocket in batting practice, it’s safe to say they know it now. And they hope that the rest of Vero Beach gets to realize it later this week.

Williams named new grid coach at Bayonne High

The famous author Thomas Wolfe once wrote a famous and often quoted line: “You can’t go home again.” Well, Wolfe never met Dwayne Williams, because recently, he proved Wolfe wrong, because after a long journey, going back and forth across the continental United States, Williams has indeed returned to his beloved home of Bayonne, N.J. as the head football coach at his alma mater of Bayonne High School. The 61-year-old Williams was appointed a few weeks ago and was approved by the Bayonne Board of Education last week. Not wasting any time, Williams went right to work as the successor to Jason Acerra, who received an administrative position in the district. For the prior three years, Williams served as the head coach at Barringer in Newark and helped to turn that program around, with the help of super talented quarterback Zamar Wise, now at the University of Massachusetts. Williams posted a record of 9-13 over those three years. He enjoyed his stay with the Bears and was developing a successful program. But when Acerra stepped down at the end of last season, Williams made sure to put his name into the hat for consideration. And it took some adversity for Williams to realize that he indeed wanted to come back home. “I lost my mother, two sisters and a nephew in a span of three weeks,” said Williams, who comes from a family of 12 siblings, 11 of which were/are female. Williams is the lone boy. “That was a big blow to me,” Williams said. “We have a very close family.” And another reason for wanting to return to Bayonne was the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Because of the pandemic and the safety precautions that were taken to combat the virus, Barringer only played three games last fall. “We had no contingency plan,” Williams said. “What were we supposed to do? I was taking kids to get COVID tests. I saw firsthand what COVID could do.” Williams is a dyed-in-the-wool member of the Bayonne Bees as one of the greatest running backs in the history of the program. In the mid-1970s, Williams lit up scoreboards running wild for the Bees. Williams is a three-time All-Hudson County honoree and was twice named All-State. He earned Parade All-American honors, collecting nearly 4,000 yards and 60 touchdowns in his career, playing for the immortal Don Ahern, for whom the stadium where the Bees play is named. Williams then went to the University of Iowa, who was coached by the legendary Hayden Fry. But Williams’ career was stalled due to injuries and his career never really got a chance to blossom like anticipated. When his career ended, Williams returned to Bayonne and began a four-decade journey in coaching. It all began with the Bees and returns to Bayonne when the season kicks off Sept. 2 at Newark East Side. “I think it’s best for everyone,” Williams said. “I’m the last of the Ahern disciples. It’s an honor for me to come back and for all the guys who bleed garnet and white. I can bring the tradition and pride back to the program. I know that the challenge ahead could be exhausting and overwhelming. I’m just happy for the opportunity, but it’s time to go to work.” Williams conducted a youth clinic last week involving some of the returning Bees, then got right to work preparing for the upcoming season. “I’ve never been a guy who backs down to a challenge,” Williams said. “No doubt, I’m going to put my heart and soul into this, because it’s where I’m supposed to be.” Williams was an assistant under Ahern during the mid-1980s, including the great 1988 season that featured All-State performers Ernie Beler and Danan Hughes. The Bees lost to Paterson Eastside in the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1, Group IV state championship game, but that team posted a 9-2 record and won the Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic Association championship in a very competitive league that featured state ranked teams North Bergen and St. Peter’s Prep. After taking a break from coaching for a few years, Williams returned to Bayonne to serve as an assistant coach to Tom Bulwith after Coach Ahern lost his battle to cancer. “Bull brought me back,” Williams said. “I remember sitting in his home with Jerry Castaldo (another key assistant with the Bees) and they convinced me to come back. Bull said, ‘Help me turn this program around.’” They did, but Williams was with the Bees for only one season. Bulwith resigned and was replaced by Rick Rodriguez. “I knew I wasn’t going to be the next head coach,” Williams said. So Williams went to Elizabeth as an assistant to famed coach Chet Parlavecchio and another stint at Roselle High School. However, Williams’ opportunities to be a head coach didn’t disappear. In 2011, Williams received a phone call from Larry Arico, who was at the time the athletic director/head coach at neighboring rival Marist, a school that has now since closed. But Arico didn’t want to do both jobs and asked Williams if he would become the head coach. It wasn’t well received from the cronies in Bayonne, thinking that one of their homegrown would actually move down Kennedy Boulevard to coach Marist. That move was almost like sacrilege. “I didn’t care what other people thought,” Williams said. “I told Larry I was willing to help him out.” Williams was almost like a miracle worker with the Royal Knights, leading them to the state playoffs in 2012 for the first time in seven years, before falling to Montclair Kimberley Academy in overtime in the NJSIAA Parochial Group 2 first round. After two years with the Royal Knights, Williams started to put on his traveling shoes. With the assistance of legendary Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder, Williams made the move to Kansas, first to Highland Park High School in Topeka and finally Schlagle High School in Kansas City, where Williams led that program to never before reached heights, winning nine straight games and earning a state playoff berth with 10 wins his last year. “Schlagle was nothing and we took them to the state sectional semifinals,” Williams said. His former teammate at Iowa Andre Tippett asked him if he would like to come back to New Jersey and coach at Tippett’s alma mater Barringer. “I was getting older and wanted to spend more time with my mother,” Williams said. Williams said that his mother’s dream was to see her lone boy coach at Bayonne, but she passed away in 2020. But he’s home now, ready to take over the Bees, ready to make them buzz and sting. It might be coming a little later than Williams would have liked, but he’s finally getting the chance now, coaching on the field that he once danced on, up and down the sidelines. And he’s coaching on a field named after his mentor. “I will never take that Don Ahern name lightly,” Williams said. “I learned a lot about hard work from that man. I don’t know if this was God’s plan for me, I just think it’s my time. And I’m ready.” And Bayonne is more than ready to have a native son come home again. Take that, Thomas Wolfe.

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

Hudson County's top male scholar/athletes

Here are the profiles of the top scholar-athletes in Hudson County, awarded by the NJSIAA Ruben Gonzalo, Union City Cross country, indoor track, baseball From a very early age, Ruben Gonzalo recognized the importance of getting good grades in school. “Ever since I was just a little thing, I knew that one of the most important things in my life was my schoolwork,” Gonzalo said. “My grades always came first before sports. If I didn’t have good grades, then I would have no sports. My parents made sure of that.” So his mom Vielka and dad Ruben instilled those philosophies in their young son. “It was always that way,” said Gonzalo, one of the busiest student/athletes at Union City High School, competing in three sports. Gonzalo said that he played baseball since he was five years old, but his love for cross country and track and field came later. “I was in eighth grade and I had to take the BEEP test in gym class,” Gonzalo said. “And you had to run from one end of the gym to the other.”

One of the teachers watching Gonzalo run was the school’s Fitness Club coach Manny Hernandez. “He became one of my mentors,” Gonzalo said of Hernandez. “He said that I had potential. He would get on me and tell me to run. Before I knew it, I was in my first cross country race. I didn’t even know that cross country was a sport.” In his first-ever race, Gonzalo wore dress shoes to the meet. “I ran in shoes that I would go out with my friends in,” Gonzalo said. “As we were lining up, I looked side-to-side and saw what they were all wearing. They were all wearing shoes different than mine. Next thing I know, the gun goes off and I just started running. I knew I would never do that again.” After that first race, Gonzalo gained a little confidence. The self assurance then exploded in just his second race. “It was at Darlington (in Bergen County) and I won a gold medal in that race,” Gonzalo said. “I then later won the North Hudson championship as well. I knew that I was enjoying it and I was doing pretty well. I figured that I was probably not going to play baseball anymore.” But that wasn’t the case. As a senior, Gonzalo came back to the diamond and played the outfield for the baseball team. Next month, Gonzalo is headed to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, where he plans to study law and legal studies. He achieved a grade point average of a 4.3 in a 5.0 scale. He either wants to become a lawyer or perhaps join the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Either way, Gonzalo had a brilliant career at Union City, both as an athlete and in the classroom, just like his parents always wanted. Being the top student/athlete in a school the size of Union City is no small achievement. “I like the way that sounds,” Gonzalo said. “I feel that the top student/athletes don’t get much attention.” They certainly do here. Sofian Rahhali, Weehawken Soccer, track and field, tennis Like Gonzalo, Rahhali had a positive influence at home that served as inspiration. “Grades were always important to me, because my parents emphasized that,” said Rahhali, who was born in Boston, but moved to Weehawken with his family at age two. “My parents (father Jay, mother Mamika) put it in my brain at an early age.” By the time Rahhali enrolled at Weehawken High School, he was established as one of the top students in the district. But Rahhali wanted more. So he joined the soccer team, where he instantly became a member of the Indians’ varsity team. He was a striker on the team for four years and helped to lead the Indians to the North Jersey Interscholastic League-Division 2 championship, scoring a team-high 14 goals and adding four assists. The 14-goal total was exactly what Rahhali scored over his previous two seasons combined. Rahhali participated in track and field before this past spring, when he decided to join the tennis team. “I played tennis before when I was younger and I liked the sport,” Rahhali said. “I just thought it would be a great experience for me. I always wanted to give it a shot. I’m glad I stayed with it.”

Rahhali had no idea he was under consideration to become Weehawken’s top scholar/athlete. “Mr. (Nick) DeStefano (the Weehawken athletic director) said that he wanted to talk to me,” Rahhali said. “I thought I was in some sort of trouble. I wondered why did he want to talk to me. When he told me, my mouth was wide open and I was gasping for breath. It was really unexpected.” Rahhali’s fine athletic career has come to an end. That’s because he’s headed to Northwestern University next month, taking his insane 4.655 grade point average and an ungodly score of 1520 on the Scholastic Aptitude Tests. In fact, Rahhali took the SATs on the day before the world shut down due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. “I got a good score, so there was no need to take it again,” Rahhali said. Rahhali plans on majoring in computer science at the Big 10 power from Evanston, Illinois. “I’m honestly not too sure about what I want to do after school,” Rahhali said. “I have an interest in technology and data, so computer science is a good major for me.” Rahhali has yet to visit the campus, which is located right on the outskirts of Chicago. “I’m excited to go there,” Rahhali said. “It’s not out in the middle of nowhere. It’s right near a big city.” Make that the third largest city in the country. Rahhali said that he had an immense amount of pride in being selected as Weehawken’s top scholar/athlete. “Honestly, it’s a huge accomplishment for me,” Rahhali said. “To be recognized for what I’m working hard to do is a nice feeling.” Jason Blanks, Hoboken Football, basketball, baseball Blanks, one of the most versatile performers on this list, having lettered in football, basketball and baseball during his brilliant career, took a lot of pride in being named Hoboken’s top scholar-athlete. “It means a lot to me,” Blanks said. “To get recognized for what I do on the field is one thing, but to get recognized for what I’ve done in the classroom is another. I put a lot of effort in the classroom from my freshman year on. I was able to get mostly As in my classes. I was always a pretty good athlete. I could always find a place on the field, but it was harder without the grades. I think by fifth or sixth grade, I realized what I had to do. I started to like school.”

Blanks’ intelligence enabled him to become the starting quarterback for the Red Wings for the final three years of his career, provided he remained healthy. Blanks had to overcome a series of nagging injuries through his career. But Blanks realized that being the quarterback in an integral Delaware Wing-T offense meant that he had to be a cerebral leader. “I think it definitely helped me,” Blanks said. “I felt like I was always one step ahead of everyone. I had the speed to run well and had the arm to throw. I felt like I needed to outsmart everyone to be one step ahe Blanks carried a 3.3 grade point average in the classroom. He will head to Rowan University next month to begin his football career with the Profs as a defensive back and kick returner Blanks followed in the footsteps of his father, also named Jason, who was a fine quarterback, pitcher in baseball and guard in basketball, earning Hudson Reporter Male Athlete of the Year honors in 2003. Blanks said that he felt blessed to be the recipient of the top student/athlete in Hoboken. “I really stay on the humble side,” Blanks said. “I don’t like to talk about myself a lot. I’m just grateful to receive the recognition for my hard work.” Jordan Hart, Snyder Cross country, track and field When Jordan Hart was a little kid, he had one goal in life. He wanted to become a construction worker. But things changed when Hart started high school. “I really took a liking to science,” Hart said. “Biology became a passion of mine. Much like track and field snuck up on Hart and became another passion. Hart, who attended County Prep, said that track always fascinated him. “I tried football and baseball,” Hart said. “I just didn’t keep interest. I was always trying to find things that intrigued me and I learned that I had the passion to run. Although I was always the slow kid running with my bunch of friends. My passion for running wasn’t awakened until high school. Freshman year, after my first race, I realized that I could be pretty good.” And Hart learned a fast lesson in that first race, which was the 400-meter dash. “I went out like a mad man,” Hart said “And I obviously made a mistake. I died at the end.”

But there was a good thing that took place in that first race. “I was hooked,” Hart said. “It really was a lot of fun. I looked forward to going to practice the next day. I loved being out there with my friends.” Hart was obviously pretty good, qualifying for the NJSIAA North Jersey Section 2, Group I meet as a freshman, finishing fourth in the 400-meter dash, crossing the line in an impressive 22.46 seconds. Incredibly, Hart either tied or broke his personal record 49 times in his career. That’s persistence, perseverance and awesome dedication to a sport that he never thought he would be a participant. “I just wanted to keep getting better,” Hart said. “I took a lot of pride in myself. My confidence went through the roof. I don’t get to say that a lot, but I really felt good about the way I was playing. I put in a lot of work and I was seeing the work pay off. My parents (mom Aisha Harper and dad Tashawn Hart) really made sure that I put everything I had into it.” Hart compiled a 3.75 grade point average. His love of science will send him to DeSales University and major in biology with the hope of attending medical school upon graduation from DeSales, which is the former Allentown College. It is a Roman Catholic institution. Hart credits the mentorship of Dr. Jason Elliston, a pediatrician and family friend, who has watched over Hart during his adolescence. “He was definitely a big influence on me,” Hart said of Dr. Elliston. And Hart’s goal? To become a neurosurgeon one day. “Biology has become a passion, much like track,” Hart said. And how did Hart end his high school passion? He competed in the United States NIKE Nationals at the NIKE complex in Eugene, Oregon. Only fitting. William DeIasi, Secaucus Baseball When it came to athletics and academics, DeIasi always had the right approach. “I wanted to keep my GPA (grade point average) high and my ERA low,” DeIasi said. “I always found the time to do my best in both.” That’s an understatement. DeIasi graduated as the salutatorian of the Secaucus Class of 2021, posting a grade point average of an ungodly 4.67 on the 4.0 scale. “I was able to take a lot of AP (advanced placement) classes and a lot of honors classes,” DeIasi said. “That helped me. I think I’ve always been a great student. School has always been my priority. I think my parents (dad William and mom Christine) always wanted me to do well in school, so if something ever happened to me in sports in terms of an injury, I had the education to back it up. My parents have always been a huge influence on me.”

DeIasi developed into a fine pitcher for the Patriots, especially after missing all of his junior year due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. He spent a lot of his free time training and developing his pitching skills with Wladyka Baseball, under the watchful eyes of fellow standout pitcher Jim Wladyka, an All-State hurler out of Rutherford High School during his heyday. DeIasi also took hitting lessons from Mike Mobbs, not ready to give up on being a threat both on the mound and at the plate. “But I learned that you could never have enough pitchers,” DeIasi said. “That’s what I basically focused on coming into this year. I started out with the JV (junior varsity) team and worked my way up to being one of the top pitchers on our staff.” DeIasi’s best performance came against New Milford early in the season, when he fired a two-hitter, striking out 11 in a 10-1 win. DeIasi will now head to Rutgers University in New Brunswick, where he will major in mechanical engineering. He plans on trying to make the Scarlet Knights’ roster as a walk-on. “I’ve sent e-mails to the coaches to see if I can give it a try,” DeIasi said. “I do take pride in my development as a pitcher. I’m very excited to be going to Rutgers. I’ve had a lot of fun playing baseball and I want to continue playing. I wouldn’t change a thing about my career. I’m happy with the way things turned out for me.” Julian Lim, McNair Academic Soccer Before he entered high school, Lim was always a goaltender on the soccer field. But that quickly changed when Lim enrolled at McNair Academic. “I made the transition to center midfield,” Lim said. “I then moved up to striker this year because everyone thought I would be able to score more goals.” As it turned out, Lim was the Cougars’ leading scorer this past season. “I played soccer my whole life,” Lim said. “It’s always been a lot of fun.” However, fate wasn’t too kind in 2016, when Julian’s father, Jourdan, passed away. “My motivation was always internal,” Lim said. “But I pushed myself to the max. I have two younger brothers that I look after. I’ve always bonded well with my brothers, but being the eldest, I had to worry about them. It wasn’t easy. I think it made me mature a lot quicker. At times, it was stressful and I always kept my priorities in check in order to help my brothers. I became a more compassionate person. I think it was almost a miracle that I was able to persevere. I knew that I was not going to become a victim of the streets. I wasn’t going to become completely overwhelmed by the situation.”

Lim said that soccer kept him sane. “Every practice, I wanted to go as hard as I possibly could,” Lim said. “I never worried about burning out. I knew I wanted to go to a good school.” Lim, who carried an average of 101 out of 100 in his classes, is headed to Princeton University in a few weeks, where he will be reunited with Fahd Nasser, who was a member of the same relay team for the indoor track team when Lim was a freshman. Lim will major in economics at Princeton. “It’s like a huge burden has been lifted off of me,” Lim said. “The four-year grind has turned into something good. I’m extremely grateful for the chance.” Lim doesn’t know what the future holds. “I’m still trying to figure that out,” Lim said. “Maybe I can run a start-up company. That would be awesome.” Gabriel Arias, Harrison Soccer Although Gabriel Arias concentrated on one sport, namely soccer, he made sure that he made the most of that sport, as well as his academic standing. “I tended to focus on my soccer,” said Arias, who is headed to Rutgers-Newark in the fall to continue his soccer career. “I was always focused on my education as well, but my parents (mother Isabel Valencia and father Victor Arias) made sure I did my school work. They were always supportive of me, considering how much I loved playing soccer.” Arias was born in the United States, but both of his parents were born in Peru. “I was very happy and excited to tell my parents about this award,” Arias said. Arias believes that his love of soccer helped him become a better student in the classroom. Arias maintained a 3.8 grade point average throughout his days at Harrison. “I think soccer gave me more confidence with my academics,” Arias said. “I had to work harder to keep those grades up when I needed to.” Arias was a standout defender for the famed Harrison Blue Tide soccer program. “I think I was a defender because of my speed,” Arias said. “It helped me get up and down the wing.” Getting the top scholar/athlete award meant a lot to Arias. “I was able to achieve something I always wanted to have,” Arias said. “I always wanted to keep a good balance between soccer and my grades. This let me know I did a good job at both.” Jamiel Lawrence, Lincoln Football One might think that Lawrence got the catchy and loveable nickname of “Oatmeal” because of the natural rhyme that goes with his name. But that would be wrong. “I’ve been called ‘Oatmeal’ ever since I was a little boy, around six or so,” said Lawrence, the highly talented quarterback for the Lincoln football team. “My father was called ‘Oatmeal’ so it just kind of stuck to me.” Yeah, much like lumpy overcooked oatmeal that just sticks to everything, you know, the bowl, the spoon, the stomach. “I just started to get called ‘Oatmeal’ and it was almost like I didn’t even know my own name,” Lawrence said. The other name Lawrence acquired this year? Being the top scholar-athlete in a big school like Lincoln. “I didn’t even know I would be considered for the award, considering a lot of the classes were virtual,” Lawrence said. “It really took a toll on me. I actually was kind of surprised when I heard I got the award. I wanted to get an ‘A’ average in my classes.” He had to settle for A-minus instead.

Lawrence didn’t have to worry about his quarterbacking skills. “I actually loved playing quarterback,” Lawrence said. “I loved being the leader of the team. A lot of the younger kids on the team looked up to me. I liked that everyone was listening to me. I took a lot of pride in it. If I was going to be a leader on the field, then I had to have good grades. I tell the younger guys that they had to work on getting good grades because that’s the only way they could keep playing.” Lawrence is headed to Caldwell University to play sprint football (formerly known as lightweight football) with all the players on the field having to weigh 180 pounds or less. Lawrence will play for legendary coaches Jim Kelly (the head coach and formerly of Nutley and Queen of Peace) and Ken Trimmer, the long-time head coach at Caldwell High School. Lawrence had to work hard on getting down to the 180-pound weight restriction. “By the end of the season, I was up to 240 (pounds),” Lawrence said. “I knew what I was getting into and I knew I had to lose the weight.” Lawrence likes to model himself like Devon Jackson, the successful QB of the Baltimore Ravens, who is a solid runner and passer. He will major in sports management at Caldwell with the hope of working for a professional sports franchise down the road. “I’m really motivated to do well in college,” Lawrence said. “I’m fortunate enough to have friends as teammates there (at least seven players on the Cougars’ roster are Lincoln High graduates) and my family and friends can come to see me play.” As for being the top student-athlete at Lincoln? “It feels great,” Lawrence said. “I don’t even know what to say. It’s just amazing.” Just like having a catchy nickname. Lincoln head coach Robert Hampton calls Lawrence, “the OAT,” in a take-off of the line used a lot these days to immortals like Tom Brady, who is called the GOAT, as in Greatest Of All Time. Lawrence is just the OAT, but it’s a name that fits just fine. Just pass the milk and sugar please.