Local scholastic stars continue to shine as the winter months move on. Here are some area athletes who delivered with big-time performances this past week.
On the boys’ basketball scene …
Steve Staklowski was on fire and so was his teammate, Ryan Zyskowski. Together on Jan. 17, they erupted for 57 points to spark Freehold Township High School’s 69-48 victory over Manalapan High School.
Staklowski presented the most damage to Manalapan with his 37 points. Zyskowski followed with his contribution of 20 points.
Staklowski came through with 13 points Jan. 19 when the Patriots defeated rival Freehold High School, 46-27.
Danny Gaines fired in 27 points to lead Colts Neck High School to a 62-50 victory over Howell High School.
Andrew Seager delivered with 25 points and 12 rebounds when he guided Ocean Township High School to a 55-45 victory over Middletown High School North.
Ryan O’Leary produced 25 points, seven rebounds and four steals when he steered Sayreville War Memorial High School to an 80-49 triumph over North Brunswick Township High School.
Devin Cooper hit for 22 points and his teammate, Quran Mlloy, pulled down 11 rebounds when they combined to lead Red Bank Regional High School to a 44-39 victory over Holmdel High School.
Rob Higgins collected 22 points and eight assists when he paced Middletown High School South to an 81-69 victory over Wall Township High School.
Tyrese Conover deposited 20 points when he guided John P. Stevens to a 59-49 victory over Monroe Township High School.
Elijiah Barnes scored 19 points to lead Mater Dei Prep to a 45-40 triumph over Point Pleasant Beach High School.
Stephen Braunstein connected on 17 points in Christian Brothers Academy’s 54-43 victory over Manalapan.
Deontae Crawford hit for 16 points when he directed Bishop George Ahr High School past Colonia High School, 69-59.
Joe Sampson ended with 15 points in East Brunswick High School’s 49-39 decision over J.P. Stevens.
Nasiem Brantley recorded 14 points and 10 rebounds when Howell soared past Freehold, 56-43.
Hura Blaine put in 16 points when he steered Woodbridge High School past Edison High School, 66-44.
Girls also gained attention on the courts …
Sayreville rode the exploits of Isis Enahoro to register two victories this past week.
Enahoro clicked on 17 points when Sayreville defeated North Brunswick, 66-43, Jan. 17. Two days later, she collected 19 points, seven rebounds and four steals in a 79-31 triumph over John F. Kennedy Memorial High School of Iselin.
Freehold Township also gained a victory in the battle of Freehold Jan. 19 when the Patriots beat Freehold, 36-28, behind Hailee Porricelli and Brianna Cucinelli, who each connected for 13 points.
Porricelli hit on four shots from 3-point range and finished with 23 points Jan. 17 when Freehold Township defeated Manalapan, 55-51.
Casey Filiault dropped in 23 points when she guided Monroe to a 58-55 victory over J.P. Stevens.
Amanda Carney finished with 22 points in Old Bridge High School’s 65-35 triumph over Perth Amboy High School.
Giana Piccini connected on 20 points when she led Keyport High School past Henry Hudson Regional High School, 59-34.
Jamyra Maye registered 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists when she steered J.P. Stevens past East Brunswick, 55-50.
Tara Bechem scored 19 points when she anchored South River High School’s 53-47 victory over rival Spotswood High School.
Nicole Johnson put in 16 points in East Brunswick’s 60-47 verdict over Edison, which received a solid effort from Daniella Marmol, who collected 13 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots.
Edison rebounded from that loss two days later Jan. 19 when Samira Sargent scored 16 points in a 43-40 victory over Piscataway Township High School. She connected on four baskets from 3-point land in that game.
Lauren Kocsis netted 16 points in Howell’s 57-45 victory over Colts Neck, while two days earlier Jan. 17, Rachel Gazzola led the Rebels with 17 points in a 42-36 triumph over Freehold.
Red Bank Catholic High School teammates Katie Rice and Amanda Hart each sank 15 points when the Caseys defeated Middletown North, 60-47.
Two days earlier Jan. 17 for RBC, it was Fabienne Eggenschwiler who was the star when she connected for 17 points in a 85-43 victory over Long Branch High School.
The stars played on skates, too …
Deven Ralph pumped in four goals when he guided Middletown South to a 5-2 victory over Point Pleasant Borough High School.
Max Halverson connected on the hat trick when he guided Freehold Township past Red Bank Catholic, 7-5.
Also clicking on a three-goal performance was Joe Pucillo, who led Manalapan to a 10-0 victory over Lacey Township High School.
T.J. Evans picked up a goal and an assist when he led Woodbridge to a 3-2 victory over South Brunswick.
Cody Jablowski poked in a goal to break a tie and send Jackson Memorial High School to a 2-1 triumph over St. John Vianney High School.