Boys Basketball – VOTE: Week 3 Orthopaedic Institute of Central Jersey SSN Player of the Week
Each week, Shore Sports Network senior basketball editor Matt Manley picks the top boys basketball players in each of the six Shore Conference divisions and you, the reader, have a chance to vote for the top performer as the Seaview Orthopaedic Institute Shore Sports Network Player of the Week. In addition to the six divisional players of the week, there are also two “wild card” candidates, who can come from any of the six divisions.
This week’s candidates are nominated based on their play from Tuesday, Jan. 2 through Saturday, Jan. 6. The two snow days on Thursday and Friday make this week a smaller sampling of game from which to draw.
Read about this week's candidates and vote at the bottom of the page. Voting will close on Wednesday night at 10 p.m. Vote early, vote often and check back Friday morning to find out the Shore Sports Network Player of the Week from week three of the 2017-18 season.
Class A North Player of the Week
Nasiem Brantley, Howell
Since starting the season 0-3, Howell has rebounded with three straight wins against out-of-state opponents, its most recent one a 66-63 win over one of Delaware’s top teams at the Seagull Classic at Holy Spirit High School. Brantley was named MVP of the game with 22 points.
A North Honorable Mention: Ben Bosland, Colts Neck; Jared Kimbrough, Neptune; Eddie Morales, Howell; Robby Hill, Colts Neck; Colby Howard, Manalapan; Justin Lynch, Manalapan
Class A Central Player of the Week
Chris Mikos, St. John Vianney
In two games this week, Mikos put up 24 points and 11 rebounds in a loss to St. John Vianney and posted 11 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in a big Lancers win over Old Bridge, giving him an average of 17.5 points and 11.5 rebounds for the week.
A Central Honorable Mention: Ian O’Connor, Rumson-Fair Haven; Mike Dunne, Matawan; Doug Chan, Holmdel; Tim Hayes, Raritan; Tim Zhou, Holmdel; Zach Moran, St. John Vianney
Class A South Player of the Week
Zyaire Dorn, Toms River East
Dorn unleashed one of the best shots of the season Wednesday night, a game-winning, 25-foot three-pointer off the glass at the buzzer to give the Raiders a 64-62 overtime win over Brick Memorial on the road. Dorn also finished with a team-high 20 points to go with seven rebounds.
A South Honorable Mention: Travis Holland, Toms River North; Ryan Goodall, Toms River East; Jake Sliazis, Brick Memorial; Anthony Argondizza, Brick Memorial; Thomas Foster, Southern; Alex Cabrera, Jackson Memorial
Class B North Player of the Week
Steve Geis, Wall
In Saturday’s win over Jackson Memorial, Geis came out on fire and rode his hot shooting the best scoring exhibition in the Shore Conference this season. The senior guard scored a Shore Conference season best 47 points thanks to 28 first-half points and seven three-pointers for the game. After that performance, Geis is averaging 26.7 points per game, which trails only Rob Higgins (27.5 per game) of Middletown North for the Shore Conference lead.
B North Honorable Mention: Andrew Seager, Ocean; Ryan Purcell, Middletown South; Rob Higgins, Middletown North; Charlie Gordinier, Red Bank Catholic; Dave Gervase, Middletown South; Sky Cherry, Middletown North
Class B Central Player of the Week
Scottie Lewis, Ranney
Ranney picked up its biggest win in program history by beating the Patrick School in convincing fashion Saturday at the Boardwalk Showcase and Lewis was on from the opening tip. The junior scored a team-high 21 points while also adding eight rebounds and eight assists. He also scored nine points in a 14-0 during the second half that put Ranney in control to stay and was named game MVP by the Hoop Group.
B Central Honorable Mention: Adam Afifi, Mater Dei; Bryan Antoine, Ranney; Josh Yates, Point Beach; Savior Akuwovo, Ranney; Alexander Rice, Mater Dei; John Beattie, St. Rose; Danny Vital, Keansburg
Class B South Player of the Week
John Duda, Point Boro
Point Boro continued its dominance within B South by handling upstart Jackson Liberty, 70-49, on Saturday. Four Point Boro players scored in double figures, with Duda pitching in on several fronts. The senior scored 15 points and also contributed 10 rebounds and five assists for the Panthers, who are off to a 6-1 start to the season.
B South Honorable Mention: Anthony Diaz, Pinelands; Mike Revello, Barnegat; Carson Francisco, Barnegat; Daniel Sofield, Jackson Liberty
Wild Cards
Andrew Seager, Ocean
This was a roller-coaster week for Ocean, which began it with a loss at Pinelands before finishing strong by beating Neptune in its first ever appearance at the Boardwalk Showcase. It was not, however, a roller coaster for Seager, who poured in 27 points in the loss to Pinelands and dropped 17 while earning game MVP honors in the win over the Scarlet Fliers on Saturday.
Adam Afifi, Mater Dei Prep
Mater Dei’s big man has been one of the Shore’s most improved players and he showed off his repertoire in a win over Asbury Park early in the week. The 6-foot-9 center posted a triple-double, logging 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in the Seraphs’ win over the Blue Bishops.