Games To Watch December 16

The season gets in full swing today with a number of very interesting contests and some unique storylines.

JD Core Training North Jersey Game Of The Day

Morris Catholic vs Newark Tech, 7P

GSBR Coverage: Alex Fydryszewski

Both teams made deep runs in the state tournament last year and return enough firepower to make this season opening contest one for all fans to keep an eye on.

Morris graduated Michelangelo Oberti, now at Penn, but returns Austin Workman and Christian Nicholson. The addition of 6’2” junior guard Donnie Gregory, who had a very strong first two years at Pingry, gives the Crusaders another college prospect.

Newark Tech, a contender in Group I, returns the core of last year’s team, led by the Braggs, Malcom and Marcus, in the backcourt. They’ll get help from Jalen Baker, Rodney Tullis and others.

It’s a great way to start the season off in Morris County and an excellent test for both.

Manasquan vs Saint Rose, 6:30P

GSBR Coverage: Andrew Fydryszewski

Manasquan wasted little time in making a wave in the water(Oh, surfing references at a Jersey Shore town…) with their 64-61 win over Rutgers Prep. Sophomore guard Rey Weinseimer exploded for 26 points, Logan Cleveland chipped in 16, but it was senior Matteo Chiarella who delivered a sensational knockout blow with a half court, buzzer beating, game winning shot. It’s a win that gives Manasquan legitimate clout.

If they can somehow manage to get their way through the week ahead…Featuring marquee matchups against the Purple Roses, Don Bosco Prep and RFH, unscathed, Andrew Bilodeau’s Warriors would have a legitimate claim to be #1 in the first GSBR Top 25 of the season.

Saint Rose enters the contest working to full strength. They lost their opener to Tim Thomas coached Paramus Catholic 52-42 but played the contest without star guard Jayden Hodge. Senior guard Evan Romano led the Roses with 18 in the loss. If Hodge plays vs Manasquan, it’s a very different Roses side.

Marlboro vs Middletown South, 5:15P

It’s Teacher vs Student as the Mustangs, led by the Student, James Reuter, take on the Eagles and new head coach Mike Iasparro, the Teacher. Storylines such as this make high school basketball unique, as Reuter was an assistant to Iasparro at Middletown North.

Can the wily veteran outfox his protégé, or will Reuter outsmart his mentor? They’ll be friendly post game, but make no mistake, for about 2 hours tonight, it’s business.

On the floor, Marlboro lost a double digit lead in its opener to RBR and fell 43-40. They had the last look of the contest and will be a scrappy bunch and tough out this year. 6’6” junior Drew Lubeck and guard Nolan Gong showed well on Friday night.

For South, it’s their opener. New Coach. New Offense. Same On Floor Leader. Senior guard Brady Hahn returns after a big junior year with a punchers chance at 1,000 points. He’ll be tasked with driving the bus as the figurehead of scoring for Iasparro’s first season back on the bench.

We featured Coach Reuter earlier in the year on Coaching Corner.

Games to Watch

Payne Tech vs Immaculate Conception, 4P

Rutgers Prep vs Phillipsburg, 7P

Point Boro vs Hamilton West, 6:30P

Linden vs College Achieve Regional—At Rahway,per NJ.com, 7P