Local Update
SHOWCASE BASKETBALL
Tim Gibson recently hosted a successful 36th annual March Madness Showcase that featured top players and dance teams from around the area.
In the feature basketball game, ECP Elite Hoops AAU edged TTown Ballerz, 44-38, to even their March Madness Showcase recorda at one apiece. James Primero paced FCP with 17 points, Michael “Duece” Jones added 11 and Anthony Aririguzoh finished with 10 and 10 rebounds.
Mike Boiselle netted 16 points, Khadir Linson 11 and Brandon Ford eight for T-Town Ballerz. Showcase awards were given to: John E. Harmon Sr. from the African American Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey; Mr. Donald Ellison; Mr. Mark Byer of Byer’s Mens Shop; Melissa Fusik (Unsung Hero) and Jordan Fusik (Special Player of the Game).
The following groups also gave outstanding performances: The Drill Team and Drum Line directed by Rebecca Prilo; Modern Dance Company directed by Tiajuana Reyes and Lakira West; Hedgepeth Williams Middle School cheerleaders coached by Melanie Tard; National Anthem singer Tiyana Graves, a Hedgepeth Williams student. Sponsors making the March Madness Showcase possible were: Fathers & Men United for a Better Trenton; Sgt. Jimmy Ingram of Capitol City Protection Services; Terrance Stokes of Trenton Youth Development Initiative; Joe O’Gorman; Paul Lagana; Troy Stevenson; Positive Force; Sharron Grady; Darryl Jones; Rasheed Santiago of Boys & Girls Club Centre St.; Rich Riggi of Kicks USA and Bill Murray.
CYO BASKETBALL
The Mercer County Catholic Youth Organization concluded another successful basketball season. Zion Cruz poured in 31 points to led Trenton Catholic Academy to a 63-47win over St. Gregory’s Blue in the boys’ varsity championship game. Cruz was named the playoff Most Valuable Player and he was the regular season Small School Division MVP.
Brian Herbert was selected as the Boys’ Varsity regular season Large School Division Most Valuable Player from St Gregory’s Blue. The Individual Sportsmanship award was presented to Tyler Kostin of St. Gregory’s Blue and the team sportsmanship award went to Our Lady of Sorrows.
Over in the girls’ varsity championship game, Our Lady of Sorrows got past St. Raphael’s, 48-27. Playoff Most Valuable Player Iris Azcona led the way for OLS with 16 points. St. Gregory’s was named the regular season Sportsmanship winner and the individual Sportsmanship Award was given to Faith Szarvas of St. Paul’s Blue.
The Small School Division MVP was Stuart’s Caroline Johnson and the Large School Division MVP was Grace Jakim from Our Lady of Sorrows.
TCA defeated Our Lady of Sorrows, 54-28 in the boys JV championship game. TCA’s Josh Pintella was named the Large School Division MVP as well as the playoff MVP. Andrew Halko from St James (Pennington) garnered the Small School Division MVP award. The individual Sportsmanship Award was presented to Our Lady of Sorrows’ J. P. Melruse and the team sportsmanship honor went to St. Gregory’s Blue.
In the Girls Junior Varsity, Our Lady of Sorrows edged St. Paul’s Gold, 31-29. Anna Primerano was the game MVP after netting 10 points in the title game. Primerano was also the regular season Small School Division MVP.
St. Paul’s Gold Marcela Nearing was the Large School Division MVP, Isabella Augustine was the Sportsmanship Award winner from St. Paul’s Blue and the team sportsmanship went to the Stuart White team.
Sam Jolly scored five points to lead St. Gregory’s Blue to the girls freshman championship with a 13-8 win over St. Paul’s Gold. TCA thwarted St. Gregory’s White upset bid in the boys freshman Blue Division with a 19-7 win behind Brent Zoeduah’s five points. The Boys Red and White Division saw Alexander Virarelle net nine points to give St. Paul’s Gold a 2916win over St. Gregory’s Blue. Grace O’Donnell scored 14 points to lead St. Gregory’s to the girls High School League title with a 41-32 win over Notre Dame Blue. O’Donnell was named the playoff Most Valuable Player.
The Boys High School League saw St. James (Pennington) top St. Gregory’s 47-30in the title game. Eric Osteman led the way with 11 points.
PRIME TIME BASEBALL
Prime Time Baseball, Greater Mercer County’s newest elite baseball program, will be holding tryouts for roster spots on its 8 years old-and-under, 9 years old-and-under and 10 years old-andunder teams from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sunday, April 8 and Sunday, April 15 in Hamilton. For more information or to register for the tryout, contact Mike Petrowski at mike@ primetimebaseball.com or Rebecca Pagano at rebecca@primetimebaseball.com.