By Richard Greco, Mike KInney and Kevin Minnick | NJ Advance Media for NJ com
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
There were a host of head-turning games and outstanding individual performances during the third week of January as teams continue to gear up for county tournaments and the start of the state tournament in February. Here are some of the players who set themselves apart from the crowd during the last week of action.
How it works
Each week, NJ Advance Media boys basketball reporters Rich Greco, Mike Kinney and Kevin Minnick will select one player from each of N.J.'s 15 conferences as the NJ.com Player of the Week. While we will make the decisions, feel free to make a suggestion by reaching out via email to [email protected], [email protected] or [email protected].
Statistics are based on stats reported to njschoolsports.com through Sunday, Jan. 21.
Photo courtesy of Michael Mongelli
Big North Player of the Week: Marc Martinez, Bergen Tech, Jr., Guard
Bergen Tech won all three of its games last week and Martinez was a huge reason why. He hit six threes and finished with 29 points in a 78-58 win over Passaic Valley, poured in 30 points in a 81-70 win over West Milford and closed out the week with 21 points in a 68-54 win over Fort Lee.
John Munson | For NJ Advance Media
Colonial Valley Conference Player of the Week: Cartier Bowman, Notre Dame, Sr., Guard
Bowman lit it up for Notre Dame last week. He scored 33 points in a 71-64 win over West Windsor-Plainsboro North and added 30 more points in a 74-47 win over Robbinsville.
READ: The NJ.com Top 20
Chris Monroe | For NJ Advance Media
NJIL Player of the Week: Carlos Pepin, Lodi, Sr., Forward
Pepin has been a beast for Lodi all season and last week was no different. He scored 17 points in a 76-62 win over Elmwood Park, added 30 points in a 68-56 win over Garfield and closed out the week with 26 points in a 79-53 win over Eastern Christian.
Shore Conference Player of the Week: Steve Geis, Wall, Sr. Guard
Geis surpassed the 1,000-point milestone when Wall fell to Freehold Borough, 60-49, Friday night. He is the 11th boys basketball player in Wall history to reach the milestone. He finished the loss with 30 points. Prior to that game, he scored 23 points in a 88-72 win over Middletown North and put in 29 in a 86-54 win over Monmouth.
Kyle Craig | For NJ Advance Media
Skyland Conference Player of the Week: James Jordan, Warren Hills, Jr., Guard
Warren Hills picked up two solid wins over Somerville and Delaware Valley last week before falling to Voorhees on Saturday. Jordan was a huge part of the solid week. He scored 15 points in a 68-57 win over Somerville, put in 26 points in a 58-57 win over Delaware Valley and added 22 points when Warren Hills fell to Voorhees 47-37.
David Gard | For NJ Advance Media
Olympic Conference Player of the Week: Corey Greer, Camden, Sr., Guard
After missing most of last season due to an ACL tear, Greer has been a dynamic leader for the Panthers. The highlight of his past week came Saturday when he hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to give Camden a 74-71 overtime victory against Westtown (Pa.). He finished with 11 points, 3 rebounds and 9 assists. Greer collected 24 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists in a win over St. Thomas More (Del.) and added 9 points, 7 boards and 6 assists in a win at Bishop Eustace. Greer also delivered in a win at Lenape with 18 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists.
Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media
Tri-County Conference Player of the Week: Jawan Roane, Penns Grove
A transfer from Woodstown, this 1,000-point scorer has been a solid addition for the Red Devils. Roane had 24 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in a win over DelCastle Tech (Del.) and followed that up with a season-high 31 points to go along with 15 rebounds, an assist and 3 steals in a win over Gloucester. He closed out the week with 15 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 7 blocks in a victory over Pitman. Roane came into this week averaging 20.5 points and 11 rebounds.
WHAT'S ON TAP: Can't-miss games this week
Larry Murphy | For the Times of Trenton
Burlington County Scholastic League: Khalif Battle, Trenton Catholic
The 6-5 standout had a sensational week, helping the Iron Mikes to a pair of victories following a tough loss to top-ranked Roselle Catholic. Battle had 20 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists in the loss, but came back with 29 points against Medford Tech and a season-high 35 in a win over Pennsauken. He entered the week averaging 20.2 points per game.
Stephanie Maksin | For NJ Advance Media
Cape-Atlantic League Player of the Week: Patrick Holden, Lower Cape May
A terrific shooter, Holden scored 25 points in victories last week over Mainland and Cedar Creek. He became the Caper Tigers’ all-time leading scorer when he drained a 3-pointer against Cedar Creek, eclipsing the mark of 1,666 career points set by Charles Johnson in 2006. Holden came into this week with 1,687 points and counting. He scored a season-high 37 in a win over Middle Township and is averaging 22.2 per game.
Al Amrhein | For NJ Advance Media
Colonial Conference Player of the Week: Noah Syer, Sterling, Jr., Forward
Syer saw his first action of the season after transferring back to Sterling following a brief stay at Neumann-Goretti in Philadelphia. After scoring 4 points against Collingswood, he collected 15 points, 11 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks against Woodbury and added 14 points, 10 rebounds, an assist and 2 blocks in a win over Paulsboro. The Silver Knights completed the week with a victory over Vineland in which Syer went for 23 points, 12 boards, 3 assists and 3 blocks.
Greater Middlesex Conference Player of the Week: Matt Vento, Spotswood, Jr., Guard
The durable combo guard scored 25 points to key a 71-65 victory over South River and followed that up with 20 points in a 71-50 victory over Dunellen. The Chargers’ current three-game winning streak was sparked by Vento Jan. 13 when he struck for 26 points against JFK-Iselin, 75-48.
John Munson | For NJ Advance Media
Super Essex Conference Player of the Week: James Bell, West Side, Jr., Forward
He established his most significant outing to date by erupting for 23 points, 17 rebounds and five assists last Tuesday to guide the Roughriders to a 70-58 upset over then-13th-ranked Montclair Immaculate. But the sturdy Bell was solid all week, striking for 12 points and 11 rebounds the previous night in a 58-54 victory over Lincoln and recording 10 points, seven assists Thursday in a 65-63 overtime win against Barringer.
Northwest Jersey Athletic Conference Player of the Week: Mac Bredahl, Chatham, Sr., Guard
The fleet-footed guard provided outstanding defense and floor leadership to send the Cougars (11-3) to noteworthy victories over well-seasoned Pope John and 9-1 Montville. Bredahl - one of the state’s top lacrosse attackmen - tossed in 17 points in the 66-57 victory over Pope John and had 15 in the 60-40 decision over Montville. He’ll continue his lacrosse career at Tufts.
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George McNish | For NJ Advance Media
Union County Conference Player of the Week: Romey Talley, Plainfield, Sr., Guard
The 6-2 shooting guard plunked down a season-high six 3-pointers to finish with 26 points Thursday in a 64-54 victory over Westfield, and he followed two days later with 21 points to fuel a 49-48 win against Elizabeth. That moved the Cardinals to 6-7. Even against state powerhouse Roselle Catholic, Tomey was a handful, hitting three treys and closing with 16 points in an 88-46 loss last Tuesday.
Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal
HCIAL Player of the Week: Abdallah El Saleh, North Bergen, Jr., Guard
He averaged 13.3 points and contributed in other crucial ways to steer the Bruins to victories last week against Lincoln, Union City and Wayne Valley. North Bergen (10-4) has won five straight games. El Saleh set the tone for his productive week with 20 points to spearhead a 67-62 non-conference victory against West Orange.
Richard Greco may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @Richard_V_Greco.
Mike Kinney may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @MikeKinneyHS.
Kevin Minnick may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @kminnicksports. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.
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