The electric buzz of the opening weeks of the season are one month in the rearview mirror and the stirring energy of the holiday tournaments has been stored away with the decorations.
Now we settle into the steady grind of the season, where important conference matchups begin to pile up and each passing game carries added significance for state tournament power points and soon-to-be-seeded county tournaments.
This is the section of the season where strong, level-headed leadership is invaluable, both in the games and during practice sessions, where the focus of some of the younger players can begin to waver.
This is a prime time for senior leadership.
And these upperclassmen obviously understand their role, as 31 of the 45 athletes featured here are seniors.
Among them are:
- A Burlington County player who averaged 18 points in four games on his way to scaling 1,000 carer points and guiding his club to an 8-2.
- A Morris County standout who averaged 22.5 points over four games, all victories, to his his club improve to 11-1.
- A Camden County star who has been carrying a heavier-than-usual load with two starting teammates out with injuries, yet flourishing as both a scorer and rebounder.
- A Monmouth County player who surpassed 1,000 points and has his squad out to a 7-6 record, which is only two victories shy of tying last season’s total.
Scroll through below and introduce yourselves to our first Players of the Week for Jan. 14.
The Players of the Week were selected based upon results through Jan. 12, 2025. Performances from Jan. 13 will be included in next week’s Conference Player of the Week post.
Big North Conference
Dean Aminyar, Bergen Tech, Sr., G
Aminyar collected the 1,000th point of his career on Jan. 8 at St. Joseph (Mont.) as part of a 23-point effort. Aminyar also nabbed 30 points on Jan. 6 vs. Paterson Kennedy and is averaging 17.3 points per game through his first six contests.
Thomas Calabrese, Cliffside Park, Jr., G
On Jan. 8 in the victory over Clifton, Calabrese recorded the 1,000th point of his career. He totaled 28 points in that game, marking his sixth game with 20 or more this season. Calabrese is averaging 21.8 points, 6.4 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 steals per game through his first 10 games. He also has a pair of double-doubles.
Isaac Shrager, Old Tappan, Sr., G
Helping the Golden Knights to a win over Bergenfield on Jan. 8, Shrager poured in the 1,000th point of his career. He totaled 25 in that game, which is his second 20-point effort this winter. He is averaging 14.6 points per night so far through eight games.
Burlington County Scholastic League
Rowan Boyce, Northern Burlington, Sr., G
As part of its current six-game winning streak, Northern Burlington picked up four more wins last week. Boyce stepped up with a strong series of games, reaching double-figure scoring in each. He collected his first double-double with 14 points and 14 rebounds against Mastery Camden, while scoring a career-high 26 points against Allentown. Boyce is averaging 10.8 points and 4.7 rebounds on the season.
Andrew Larbie, Burlington Township, Sr., F
Despite the Falcons going through a rough patch, Larbie has continued to perform well. In a tough loss to Westampton Tech, the senior posted season-highs of 24 points and 16 rebounds. He also had a double-double against Rancocas Valley of 21 points and 11 boards. Larbie is averaging a double-double – 17.8 points, 10.3 rebounds.
Jordan Owens, Holy Cross Prep, Sr., G
The Lancers went 3-1 over the past week and Owens played a major role. The senior averaged 18 points, four rebounds, 3.3 assists and collected 10 steals. He connected on four 3-pointers en route to a career-high 28 points against Bordentown, while picking up six steals against Cinnaminson. Owens is averaging a team-leading 16.1 points to go along with 3.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.5 steals.
Cape-Atlantic League
Bruce Clark, St. Augustine, Jr., G
A transfer from Camden Catholic, Clark has emerged as the Hermits’ floor general and leading scorer. Through 10 games, the junior is averaging 18.2 points and has reached double figures in each contest. In three games last week, Clark dropped 22 against Wildwood Catholic, 23 in a loss to Holy Spirit and had 16 in Monday’s win over Mainland. Clark scored a career-high 26 points in a loss to Pingry earlier in the year and has 792 career points.
Ricardo Johnson, Vineland, Jr., F
It’s hard to ignore what Johnson did in three games last week. Not only did he post a pair of double-doubles, but the junior also recorded his second triple-double – 17 points, 16 rebounds and 11 blocks in a win over Bridgeton. Johnson had 12 points and 17 boards against Hammonton, while contributing 16 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks Monday against Cape May Tech. He is averaging 12.8 points and 15.3 rebounds to go along with 62 blocks in nine games.
Markus Polite, Cedar Creek, Sr., G
A three-year player, Polite has established himself as the heart and soul of his team. The senior joined an exclusive club Monday, scoring 14 points en route to reaching the 1,000-point milestone in a win over Millville. Polite averaged 22 points over the past week, scoring 25 against Bridgeton and Shawnee. He also has at least one 3-pointer in all eight games for the Pirates. Polite is the fourth player in program history to reach the scoring milestone. He is averaging 23 points and 4.1 rebounds on the season.
Colonial Conference
Chris Beane, Haddonfield, Sr., G
Sitting on top of the Liberty Division standings, Haddonfield has won seven in a row – including three last week. Beane is averaging a team-leading 14.1 points per game. He dropped 11 points to go along with five rebounds against Audubon and came back with 14 points, three boards, two assists and two steals in a victory over Sterling. Beane then had 18 points, two boards and two steals in a convincing victory against Woodbury.
Axel Mohr, Haddon Township, Sr., G/F
The Hawks are off to a solid 9-1 start, winning their last nine in a row. Mohr has been a consistent performer, averaging 12 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. The veteran stepped up big time against North Hunterdon on Saturday in the Coaches vs. Cancer Shootout at Montgomery, draining a game-winning 3-pointer and finishing with 18 points. He also had 18 against Gateway, while contributing 12 in wins over Paulsboro and Lindenwold in the last week.
Jake Smith, Gloucester, Sr., F
Smith had a strong three-game stretch, recording double-doubles each game as the Lions picked up a pair of wins. He had 16 points and 12 rebounds in a five-point loss to Haddon Heights. Smith then contributed 10 points, 14 boards and four assists in a win over Lindenwold and followed that up with 14 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal against Collingswood. The 6-foot-4 senior is averaging 12.4 points and 11.6 rebounds per game.
Colonial Valley Conference
Tyler Bunnell, Robbinsville, Sr., F
Bunnell went for a double-double in all three games last week, going for 21 and 15, 24 and 10, then 24 and 12 to get the Ravens to .500 in the standings. Bunnell, who has over 1,200 career points, is averaging 19.2 points and 10.5 rebounds in his first 10 games this season.
Juan Sanchez, Trenton, Sr., G
In a pivotal conference game against Ewing on Jan. 8, Sanchez led Trenton with 25 points, five rebounds, three assists and three blocks. This season, through his first 10 games, he is averaging 19.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.1 steals. He enters Jan. 13 games with 920 career points.
Kyle Yadamiec, Hopewell Valley, Sr., G
The Bulldogs are sitting among the best teams in the CVC with a 6-2 record. Yadamiec helped Hopewell Valley continue its successful season with a 16-point effort over Nottingham on Jan. 8 on the road. He is averaging 9.8 points per game this season, headline by four games in double figures.
Greater Middlesex Conference
Shamar Burch, J.P. Stevens, Sr., G
Burch has used his steady scoring (13.1 ppg.) and playmaking to help J.P. Stevens (8-3) turn things around dramatically from last season’s 3-19 record. He opened the week with a season-high 21 points to fuel a 68-60 win against North Plainfield, and followed that with 16 points in a loss to Perth Amboy and 14 in a 67-65 victory against Edison.
Sebastian Ortiz, East Brunswick Magnet, Sr., G
Ortiz erupted for a career-high 27 points and had two rebounds, two assists and three steals Friday to help his club erase a five-game losing streak with a 58-41 victory against Wardlaw-Hartridge. He struck for 26 points on Monday to lead a 57-35 win against Calvary Christian. Ortiz is averaging 14.8 ppg.
Yandel Susana, Perth Amboy, Sr., G
Susana averaged 23 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 steals in three games last week as the Panthers (9-3) stretched their winning streak to four. He matched his career high last Thursday with 25 points to spearhead a 65-52 win over J.P. Stevens. Susana averages 19.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals this season.
Hudson County Interscholastic Athletic League
Dorrell Crutcher, Lincoln, Sr., F
Crutcher helped the Lions win two of their last three games with averages of 17 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 3.7 steals. He pumped in a season-high 23 points and added nine rebounds, seven assists and six steals last Thursday in a 67-33 win against University Charter.
Zaire Henry, Dickinson, Jr., F
Henry opened his week last Tuesday by producing 20 points and 15 rebounds to spur a 58-57 victory over North Bergen, and he followed it up with a 12-point, 20-rebound outing to lead a 58-40 win against College Achieve Paterson. The 6-6 juniors is averaging 11.7 points and 12.1 rebounds this season.
Colin McKenna, Kearny, Jr., G
McKenna knocked down six buckets from 3-point range and scored a career-high 22 points last Thursday to steer Kearny to a 54-49 victory over Ferris. His previous best was 19 points to propel the Kardinals to a 56-51 win last month over BelovED Charter. He is averaging 19.2 ppg. this season.
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference
Gevin Randall, Madison, Sr., G
The 6-1 Ithaca College commit came close to directing an upset over seventh-ranked Morris Catholic with 32 points and eight rebounds last Thursday, but the Crusaders were able to escape with an 84-76 win in overtime. Randall, with 1,317 career points, dropped in 23 points and had eight rebounds Saturday in a 58-28 victory over Mount Olive.
Talon Wehmeyer, Mendham, Jr., G
Wehmeyer fell just one point shy of the career high he’d established four days earlier with 35 on Friday to propel the Minutemen to a 59-49 win over Delbarton. The 6-0 standout had pumped in 36 points Jan. 5 to spark a 58-46 triumph over West Morris. He is averaging 20.8 ppg. this season.
Austin Workman, Morris Catholic, Sr., G
The 6-6 Workman scored 22 points on Friday to scale 1,000 career points and send send the sixth-ranked Crusaders to a 75-61 win against St. Elizabeth (DE) . He steered his team to three wins during that week by generating averages of 22 points, 10 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 2.0 blocks. Workman now has 1,006 career points.
North Jersey Interscholastic Conference
Johnny Chaname, Lyndhurst, Sr., G
Chaname has put together some incredible games already this season. On Jan. 12 against Ridgefield, Chaname poured in seven 3-pointers, totaling 32 points in the victory. It’s his second 30-point game of the year, and he has seven other games with 20 or more points. He is averaging 23 points per night through 11 games, entering Jan. 13 with 964 career points.
JT Graham, Midland Park, Sr., G
Graham surpassed 1,500 career points this past week after going for 29 against Pompton Lakes, 22 against New Milford, and 37 against Butler —marking his first 30-point game this winter. Graham is averaging 23.8 points per night through 11 games, giving him a chance at 2,000 for his career if Midland Park (7-2) can keep winning on the court.
Christian Nario, Wood-Ridge, Sr., F
On Jan. 12 against Leonia at home, Nario recorded the 1,000th point of his career after pouring in 33 — marking his third 30-point game of the year. Nario is averaging 24 points per game through his first nine contests this season.
Olympic Conference
Sean Karbach, Eastern, Sr., F
With two starters out with injuries, a lot more has fallen on Karbach’s shoulders. The senior helped the Vikings win two of their three games last week. He had a pair of double-doubles in wins over Rancocas Valley and Sterling, while also collecting 11 points and seven rebounds in an American Division loss to Cherry Hill East. He had 19 points and 10 boards against RV, followed by 15 and 11 against Sterling. Karbach also had four assists and a block in those games.
Isaiah Thatcher, Paul VI, So., G
Paul VI has been on a bit of a roll after starting the season 1-3. The Eagles’ leading scorer at 16 points per game, Thatcher scored 21 points in back-to-back victories over Camden Eastside and Camden in National Division play. He connected on five 3-pointers against Camden. Thatcher also chipped in nine points on Saturday in a 19-point non-league win at Ewing.
Jaylen Washington, Rancocas Valley, Sr., G
The Red Devils’ lone returning letter winner, Washington has emerged as the team’s go-to guy. He scored a career-high 26 points in a non-league victory over Medford Tech and came back with 19 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals in a tight loss to Eastern. Washington then had 19 points in another non-league win over Burlington Township, He’s averaging a team-leading 15.9 points per game.
Shore Conference
Jacob Edgecomb, Point Pleasant Beach, Sr., G
Edgecomb collected the 1,000th point of his career on Jan. 12 in the win vs. Toms River East. This winter, Edgecomb has a 20-point game, going for double figures in five of 11 contests.
Noah Perna, Southern, Jr., G
On Jan. 12 against Barnegat, Perna notched the 1,000th point of his career, going for 24 total on Monday. Perna has two 30-point games this winter, along with three more 20-point efforts. Perna is averaging 21.8 points per contest through eight games this winter.
Aidan Saint Louis, Ocean Township, Sr., G
On Jan. 8 at Long Branch, Saint Louis entered the game sitting 16 points shy of 1,000 for his career. Saint Louis got those 16 points in OT’s win to record the milestone, along with nine boards and three steals. In his first 10 games of the season, Saint Louis is averaging 15.3 points behind three 20-point games.
Skyland Conference
Dylan Cowell, Pingry, Jr., F
The 6-8 forward led Pingry to a pivotal win over Rutgers Prep on Jan. 8, logging 29 points, 14 rebounds, three blocks, and one assist. This was Cowell’s fourth double-double of his junior campaign. Through his first nine games this season, Cowell is averaging 18.8 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks.
Tommy Denvir, Delaware Valley, Jr., F
Off to a 9-2 start, DelVal is riding a six-game winning streak entering Jan. 13. In that stretch, Denvir has recorded a 20-point game, as well as three other contests with 20 or more. Denvir is averaging 22.5 points per game through 11 matchups, as well as 4.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 3.2 steals.
Riley Gorman, Immaculata, Sr., G
Hitting the road on Jan. 8 at Bridgewater-Raritan, Gorman and his Spartans teammates ended the Panther’s undefeated season with a seven-point win. Gorman accounted for 26 points, which is one of four 20-point efforts this winter. Through his first nine matchups, Gorman is averaging 19.4 points per game. He also has five our more rebounds in four games.
Super Essex Conference
Dom Bok, Nutley, So., F
The 6-3 sophomore scored nine points and pulled down 17 rebounds Tuesday to spark a 49-45 victory over Weequahic, and hit for 16 points and had five rebounds two nights later to lead a 50-39 win against Barringer. Bok, a talented receiver in football, is averaging 11.2 points and 6.6 rebounds for the 6-3 Maroon Raiders.
Alieu Kelleh, Collegiate, Sr., G
Kelleh averaged 21.0 points in three games last week to propel his squad to victories against Columbia, West Side and Montclair. He pumped in 26 points (2 below his season best) Tuesday in a 70-51 win against Columbia. Kelleh is averaging 17.0 points this season.
James Roberts, East Orange, Jr., G
Roberts demonstrated his prolific scoring ability as well as his talents elsewhere to spark the Jaguars’ 74-53 win over then-17th-ranked Piscataway Sunday at the Stay Public Showcase. He struck for a season-high 30 points to reach 1,002 for his career, and also produced 10 rebounds, four assists and five steals. Roberts is averaging 18.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.2 steals.
Tri-County Conference
Lamar Little, Overbrook, Sr., G
Closing in on 1,000 career points, Little is averaging a team-leading 19.7 points per game. He posted back-to-back double-doubles last week, collecting 17 points and 11 rebounds in a win over Penns Grove and coming back with 26 points and 11 boards in a victory against Clayton. In Monday’s Diamond Division decision over Woodstown, Little had 21 points, six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a pair of blocks. He has 946 career points.
Darren Riddick, Clearview, Fr., G/F
The Pioneers snapped a five-game losing skid with three wins in four games last week. Riddick played a big part in that success, averaging 17.5 points. He dropped a career-high 27 to help snap the skid against Williamstown and followed that with his second double-double – 18 points and 15 rebounds against Highland. Riddick added games of 13 points and 12 against Pitman and Washington Township. Through 10 games, he’s averaging a team-leading 14.2 points and 6.3 rebounds.
Luke Van Auken, Delsea, Sr., F/C
Headed to Colorado State to play football, Van Auken continues to excel on the basketball court for the Crusaders. He became the ninth player in program history to reach the 1,000-point mark, raising his career total to 1,012 points Monday in a loss to Deptford. Over three games in the last week, Van Auken registered double-doubles against Timber Creek, Kingsway and Deptford – including 32 points and 18 rebounds against Kingsway. He’s averaging 18.9 points and 10.6 rebounds through 10 games.
Union County Conference
Jalen Maldonado, Elizabeth, Sr., G
Maldonado averaged 16 points in victories over Westfield and Newark Tech, and he poured in a season-best 32 last Thursday to keep the Minutemen in contention in a 57-50 loss to seventh-ranked Linden. He has scored in double figures nine times in 11 games and is averaging 17.0 ppg.
Malik Moore, Union Catholic, So., G
The 6-4 Moore scored 22 points and contributed eight rebounds and five assists Thursday in a 67-55 victory over Westfield, and compiled 22 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals Saturday to direct a 64-46 triumph over Paramus Catholic. Moore is averaging 20.7 ppg. and has 508 career points in 35 games.
Javy Ocasio, Union, Sr., F
The 6-5 forward helped orchestrate one of the biggest upsets this season with 17 points, 11 rebounds and five assists last Thursday in a 60-58 victory against then-No. 5 Seton Hall Prep. Ocasio followed that with 13 points, 11 rebounds and four assists to help the Farmers (9-1) extend their win streak to five games with a 62-40 decision over Union City.