Ridgewood, N.J.:         Ridgewood H.S. struggled for 3 quarters, but due to a hard work ethic they found themselves down only 41-37 with 6:00 minutes left in the game. That’s when 5’9 senior point guard Jason Rosenberg ( pictured right) took over! He preceded to score 10 of his 20 points down the stretch as Ridgewood had no answer to his assault. He and 6’3 senior Nick Siljee (pictured) led Valley to a 59-47 win. Siljee was strong throughout scoring 18 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. He, along with Mark Tucker (8 rebs) and Chris Hamsi (7 rebs) helped Valley dominate the glass. Ridgewood shot poorly in the first half and trailed 32-13 at intermission. But Ridgewood, behind the play of 6’5 swingman James Albano (23 pts., 7 rebs. 3 blks ) continued to fight and slowly chipped away at the lead. That’s when Rosenberg, who also dished out 8 dimes did his thing. Tom Larranga came off the bench to drill 4 treys and finished with 13 points for Wayne Valley. Albano got some help from sophomore guard Stephen Senguin who finished with 9 points on three treys.

             In a series of Player Profiles, Hoop Journal sat with Paterson Catholic senior Jayon James, who just committed to Fordham University.

 Some fun Facts:  Hgt.: 6’5   Wgt: 215

NICKNAME:    Do It All

AGE: 17,   Birthday February 28, 1992

PARENTS: Regina Williamson and John James

 SIBLING: Ja’Sheree 21

WHO INSPIRES YOU (non basketball):  My Mother

FAVORITE BASKETBALL TEAM:  Denver Nuggets

FAVORITE BASKETBALL PLAYER:  Carmelo Anthony

FAVORITE ALLTIME SNEAKER:   Jordan 12

HOTTEST SONG ON IPOD: I Think I Want Her :by Gucci Man

HIGHSCHOOL GOALS: To Win The States And T.O.C. And Go Undefeated !

FUTURE GOALS:  Play Professionally And Get My College Degree!

SOMETHING PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU:  Video Game Freak!

WHY FORDHAM?:  Comfortable with Coach Grasso, Close So My Parents Can See Me Play, Ex-Teammate Lance Brown Is There!

                              Kennedy shook off the rust and residuals of their Jingle Bell Jubilee championship lost to Passaic H.S. by getting back on track with a workman like 59-55 win over Passaic County Tech.  Tech was coming off a disappointing loss in the Indian Hills Holiday final, losing to St. Joseph H.S. Kennedy showed no effects in the 1st half , building a 36-21 halftime lead behind the play of  senior Shondel Stewart who finished with 25 points and 7 rebounds, senior Daquere Hayes (12pts., 5stls) and junior Dawon Lighty (13 pts., 6rebs.). The Knights went to sleep in the 2nd half as PCT cut the deficit to 2 at 41-39 to end the 3rd. Kennedy committed 9 turnovers in the quarter as sophomore Asaad Hinton (16pts, 4stls) and senior Terrell McDuffie (12pts,5 rebs) led the comeback. Tech also had to overcome the fact that their two top players, junior Brandon James and junior Xavier Nieves both had subpar games. James did manage 7 assists and Nieves hit a couple of 3’s at the end of the game, but Stewart hit 4 free throws late to ice it. Senior Wilson Jiminez finished with 8 points and 8 rebounds for Tech, while senior Jaemille( soldier boy) Barnes provided a big lift for Kennedy coming off the bench to score 7 points and pull down 8 rebounds.                             Kennedy’s Shondell Stewart (The Calculator )