Boys Basketball – VOTE: Week 2 Orthopaedic Institute of Central Jersey Player of the Week

The 2018-19 Boys Basketball Player of the Week feature opened up last week with the top performers from the holiday tournament week. In Week 2, the contest returns to its conventional format, with the ballot consisting of six divisional players of the week and two wild cards.

Review the accomplishments of the eight candidates from this past week and vote at the bottom of the post for the best one. Vote every hour until the voting closes on Wednesday at 10 p.m.

Class A North Player of the Week

Josh Cohen, CBA

After CBA’s long layoff, Cohen showed absolutely no rust in throwing up two more huge statistical performances. He scored 22 points in rout of Long Branch and then posted 30 points and 21 rebounds as CBA beat Mater Dei in a rematch of the 2016 Shore Conference Tournament championship game. Cohen heads into the week fifth in the Shore Conference in scoring at 25.6 points per game.

A North Honorable Mention: Stephen Braunstein, CBA; Marc Dennis, Long Branch; James Anderson, Middletown South; Jack Sheridan, Middletown South; Ryan Mabrey, CBA; Ramon Fontanes, Marlboro; Matt Ganter, Howell; Greg Billups, Freehold Twp.

Class A Central Player of the Week

Jack Giamanco, Holmdel

The Hornets got back on track this week with a blowout win over Shore, led by Giamanco’s career-best 20 points. Holmdel’s scoring attack this season has been a well-rounded outfit and Giamanco’s 20 points are the most scored by a Hornets player in a single game this year.

A Central Honorable Mention: Charlie Gordinier, Red Bank Catholic; Ian O’Connor, Rumson; Brad McCabe, Manasquan; Alex Galvan, Manasquan; Jaylen Smith, Raritan

Class A South Player of the Week

Shane Williams, Brick

Williams ended 2018 by joining Brick’s 1,000-point club, which has not had a new member since his head coach, Mike Gawronski, joined it more than a decade ago. To open 2019, Williams posted 30 points in a Green Dragons win at Toms River South and is now averaging 21 points per game early on in his senior season.

A South Honorable Mention: Najae Hallenbeck, Toms River North; Jakari Spence, Toms River North; Jayson Lee, Jackson Memorial; Brandon Thomas, Brick Memorial; Matt Bernstein, Brick Memorial; Kyle Rhoden, Central; Justin Soranno, Central; Rob Marro, Toms River South

Class B North Player of the Week

Andrew Abujawdeh, Colts Neck

Colts Neck has started to gain some momentum after a 1-4 start to the season and Abujawdeh’s recent scoring binge might have something to do with it. After closing out the Buc Classic with a 25-point performance in a consolation win, Abujawdeh opened the New Year by topping that career-high, scoring 26 points in a win at Middletown North.

B North Honorable Mention: Ethan Okello, Matawan; Dwaine Jones, Neptune; Quinn Calabrese, Wall; Justyn Coleman, Matawan; James Rapley, St. John Vianney; Rob Higgins, Middletown North; Corey Miller, Ocean; Matt Weidman, Red Bank; Jahmal Garraway, St. John Vianney; Jack Miller, Ocean; Kevin Greene, St. John Vianney; Drew Valentino, Red Bank

Class B Central Player of the Week

Tahaj Parland, Mater Dei Prep

After a mass exodus of players and coaches over the offseason, Mater Dei has found a steady trio of junior scorers in Parland, Sean Turner and Pete Gorman. Parland was the standout this week, chipping in 11 points in a win over Keyport and putting up 23 in a loss at CBA.

B Central Honorable Mention: Scottie Lewis, Ranney; Mike Dettro, Ranney; Bryan Antoine, Ranney; Alex Klatsky, Ranney; Sean Turner, Mater Dei; Wenderlens Garius, Asbury Park; D.J. Thomson, Keyport

Class B South Player of the Week

Daniel Sofield, Jackson Liberty

The Jackson Liberty senior closed out his week by throwing up 36 points in a loss at Jackson Memorial to push his season average back over the 30-point-per-game threshold. His more significant performance, however, came earlier in the week, when Sofield posted 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting, 10 rebounds and six assists in the Lions’ 56-51 win over previously-unbeaten Pinelands.

B South Honorable Mention: Andrew Schulz, Pinelands; Carl Swensen, Lacey; Ryan Savoy, Lakewood; Jaden Anthony, Donovan Catholic; Josh Hayes, Manchester; Josh Glenn, Manchester

Wild Cards

Jayson Lee, Jackson Memorial

The Jaguars delivered two big performances this week to pick up home wins over A South rival Toms River East and crosstown rival Jackson Liberty. Lee stepped up with 17 points in the win over Toms River East and the senior guard registered his first career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win over Jackson Liberty.

Ryan Savoy, Lakewood

Lakewood has had an up-and-down start to the year but Savoy has been a consistent producer. He scored 21 of his team’s 43 points in a loss at Donovan Catholic, then posted 21 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks in a 55-54 win over Asbury Park on Saturday to get the Piners back on track.