NJ High School Game Changers Sports Awards 2024Staff
The NJ.com high school sports staff has selected finalists for the final six categories of the High School Game Changers Sports Awards. These categories, for overall Athlete of the Year, Team of the Year and Breakthrough Athlete of the Year – for both male and female athletes – are the only categories where finalists and winners will be selected by the NJ.com high school sports staff.
For the other 14 categories, nominations came in from the public, finalists were selected by the NJ.com staff and readers voted to select the winners in each of those categories.
Winners will be announced at the live event on Monday, June 17 at 5 p.m. at the Union County Performing Arts Center in Rahway. The event is free to attend and open to finalists, as well as their coaches, teachers, parents, friends and family members.
For our staff, selecting sport-specific postseason honorees is difficult in any season, but this process – selecting finalists across all sports for an extremely small number of awards – was incredibly challenging. We know some tremendous athletes with remarkable character and determination couldn’t make this list.
Here are the finalists, listed alphabetically by school:
Note: Stats and team records shown below for spring sports are correct as of end of play on May 29.
Benji Shue, Bergen Catholic – Football, Wrestling, Track & Field: Shue has been a physical force for Bergen Catholic this year, finding success in all three of his sports. He was a key piece of BC football’s offensive line in the fall, helping the Crusaders to the state’s No. 1 ranking. Wrestling this winter, he finished fourth at 285 pounds in Atlantic City, after claiming a district title and a region runner-up finish. This spring has been Shue’s best, however, as the Texas track commit landed a No. 5 N.J. all-time throw in the discus (204-10) in April and appears to be on the short list of favorites in the event in the upcoming Meet of Champions.
Benjamin Shue of Bergen Catholic competes in the boys shot put during the Penn Relay Qualifier throwing meet at Christian Brothers Academy in Lincroft, NJ on Monday, April 1, 2024.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance Media
Dylan Harper, Don Bosco Prep – Basketball: Harper lived up to expectations — and then some — after pledging to Rutgers just before the start of the basketball season. Repeating as boys basketball Player of the Year, Harper was a must-see attraction for Don Bosco against a national schedule. All told, he averaged 22.4 points per game to lead Don Bosco to the Non-Public A title.
Dylan Harper (2) of Don Bosco Prep heads off the court at halftime during the 2024 NJSIAA Non-Public A boys basketball final between Don Bosco Prep and Paul VI at Jersey Mike’s Arena at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ on 3/8/24.Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media
Cohen Cook, Mainland – Football, Basketball, Baseball: Cook has been a do-it-all three-sport star for Mainland this season. With his athleticism on full display, Cook ran for 753 yards and 13 TDs and had 99 tackles during football season in the fall, earning Second Team All-State Defense and First Team All-Group 4 honors. In the winter, he was named to the Third Team All-State basketball team, as he averaged better than 21 points per game to lead Mainland to the Group 3 semifinals. On the diamond, he’s batted .350 for Mainland this spring with 17 RBI and on the mound, he’s tossed 15.2 innings to a stunning 0.89 ERA.
Cohen Cook (10) of Mainland tries to put the ball in play during the Coaches vs. Cancer baseball game between Mainland and Rumson-Fair Haven at Jerome Avenue Fields in Margate, NJ on 4/26/24.Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media
Luke Dickerson, Morris Knolls – Ice Hockey, Baseball: In his second-best sport, Dickerson earned Third Team All-State honors in ice hockey, as he notched career highs in goals (38) and points (58), leading Morris Knolls-Hills to the Public Co-Op state title. And that pales in comparison to his best sport, baseball, where he’s been off-the-charts good this spring. He’s batting .462, slugging over 1.000, with 15 HR — the same as his sophomore and junior seasons combined — and 40 RBI.
Luke Dickerson (10) of Morris Knolls fields a ground ball and fires to first for the out during the baseball game between No. 10 Morris Knolls and No. 1 Don Bosco Prep at Morris Knolls High School in Denville, NJ on 5/16/24.Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media
Anthony Knox, St. John Vianney – Wrestling: Knox was as dominant as could be en route to his third straight state wrestling title this winter. The Cornell-bound junior, who has lost just once in three high school seasons, rolled to the 120-pound state title in March to cap a 34-0 season. Of those 34 wins, 17 came by pin, seven by major decision and six by technical fall. He won the championship bout, 15-8.
Anthony Knox of St John Vianney looks over to his coaches and holds up one finger, as in, he only needs one more state title to become the fifth four-time state champion in N.J. state history, after earning his third, defeating Kurt Wehner of Donovan Catholic during 120 pound final at the 2024 NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ on 3/2/24. Chris Faytok | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Micah Ford, Toms River North – Football, Basketball, Track & Field: The Stanford-bound Ford proved to be as good as advertised, earning Football Player of the Year honors for the second straight season. He ran for 1,700 yards, threw for another 869 and amassed 29 total touchdowns to lead Toms River North to a Group 5 state championship. Ford wasn’t done there. He averaged 13.5 points per game on the basketball court in the winter and won an Ocean County title with a 23-1 long jump in the spring.
Micah Ford (1) of Toms River North scrambles in the pocket during the NJSIAA Group 5 football final between No. 5 Toms River North and No. 7 Passaic Tech at SHI Stadium at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ on Monday, November 27, 2023.Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media
Taylor Miller, Demarest – Volleyball, Basketball: Miller was the consensus Player of the Year in volleyball after leading Demarest to a Group 2 title, behind 414 kills, 196 digs, 56 blocks and 50 aces. In the winter, she was a key piece on a 21-win basketball team, averaging over five points and seven rebounds per game.
Taylor Miller (1) of Demarest serves during the NJSIAA Group 2 Final, at Franklin High School, in Somerset, NJ on Sunday, November 12, 2023.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance
Layla Giordano, Old Tappan – Volleyball, Basketball, Track & Field: Giordano has had success in all three of her sports, but make no mistake about it: she’s a track & field star. The Princeton commit is tracking as the second-best thrower in state history and can cement that legacy with a strong finish in the outdoor season. She’s tossed the state’s No. 3 all-time mark in the discus this season (170-4) and is the expected favorite to win that title at the Meet of Champions. In volleyball this fall, she posted a career-high 132 digs and in the winter, she averaged 15.6 points per game on the basketball court.
Layla Giordano of Old Tappan won the high school girls discus throw championship at the Penn Relays, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Philadelphia.Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Addison Halpern, Rutgers Prep – Soccer: Halpern, a junior, had her third-straight season of 40 or more goals and she piloted Rutgers Prep to a state title this fall, while earning Player of the Year honors. She has 136 career goals through her first three seasons.
Addison Halpern (8) of Rutgers Prep makes a move against Rachael Dietzsch (2) of DePaul during the NJSIAA Non-Public-B final at Franklin HS in Somerset, NJ on Friday, November 9, 2023.John Jones | For NJ Advance Media
Abby Davidson, Shawnee – Field Hockey, Lacrosse: Davidson had the best year of her field hockey career this season, setting career highs in goals (23), assists (16) and points (62) on her way to a Third-Team All-State selection. She’s been a big part of Shawnee’s girls lacrosse success this spring, too, logging 58 goals and 68 draw controls — both career highs — for one of the state’s top teams.
Abby Davidson (7) of Shawnee, takes a shot at Hammonton High School, in Hammonton, NJ, on Monday, October 9, 2023.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance
Madison McDougall, St. John Vianney – Softball: McDougall, a sophomore, has been a dynamic two-way player for St. John Vianney this season, after earning First Team All-State honors last spring.. At the dish, she’s batting .551 with seven HR and 32 RBI. In the circle, she’s been even better, pitching to a stunning 0.90 ERA in 140 innings of work, conceding just 18 earned runs, with 266 strikeouts and only 24 walks.
Madison McDougall (10) of St. John Vianney oitches during the softball game between St. John Vianney and Morris Catholic at Branch Brook Park in Newark, NJ on Saturday, April 6, 2024.John Jones | For NJ Advance Media
Taylor Cox, Union Catholic – Track & Field: Cox earned indoor track Athlete of the Year honors this winter after a record-breaking season that saw her set the state mark in the 60-meter hurdles (8.11) and break New Jersey legend Syndey McLaughlin’s 55-meter hurdles time (7.86).
Taylor Cox of Union Catholic wins the girls 100 meter hurdles during the Union County Championships Day 2 at the Hub Stine Sports Complex in Plainfield, NJ, Wednesday May 22, 2024. Duncan Williams | For NJ Advance Media
Bergen Catholic Football: Bergen Catholic left no doubt about the hierarchy in New Jersey football, after winning a third straight Non-Public A title in a 24-14 triumph over Delbarton. That win capped an unforgettable season for Bergen Catholic, which won its final nine games. All but one of those wins came by two scores or more. The only blemish on Bergen Catholic’s 11-1 resume was a 61-21 loss to Chaminade-Madonna (Fla.).
Bergen Catholic poses for a team photo after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public A football final between No. 1 Bergen Catholic and No. 2 Delbarton at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media
Delbarton Wrestling: Look no further than the medal count from Atlantic City to understand just how dominant Delbarton was this wrestling season. The Green Wave had four state champions (Cameron Sontz at 106, Ryan DeGeorge at 126, Alessio Perentin at 165 and Vincent Lee at 215) and nine medalists in total. And that tally came after the success that Delbarton had in team competition, notching a 17-4 record, capped by a 30-22 win over St. Joseph (Mont.) in the Non-Public A championship match, avenging last season’s stunning loss.
Delbarton celebrates after defeating St. Joseph (Mont.) in the boys wrestling NJSIAA Non-Public A Final at Jersey Mike's Arena at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ on Sunday, February 11, 2024.Tom Horak | For NJ Advance Media
Old Bridge Volleyball: Old Bridge has proven to be the best of the best in New Jersey volleyball, taking a 29-0 record into the South Jersey, Group 4 semifinals. Old Bridge has left nothing to chance after falling to Southern in the South Jersey, Group 4 title game last season. This year’s team has regular season wins over Southern and Scotch Plains-Fanwood, its two biggest challengers for the state’s No. 1 ranking. All but two of Old Bridge’s matches have been two-set sweeps this spring.
Old Bridge players huddle during the boys volleyball game between Monroe and Old Bridge at Old Bridge HS in Old Bridge, NJ on Thursday, May 16, 2024.John Jones | For NJ Advance Media
St. Joseph (Met.) Bowling: St. Joseph (Met.) followed up an historic season a year ago with a nearly perfect performance again this winter. Rusty Thomsen’s team again went without a match loss, earning a 25-0 record en route to a Group 2 title. St. Joe’s lost just three games all season, led by the sophomore tandem of Kai Strothers (232.26 AVG) – the state individual champion – and William Cunningham (227.69 AVG).
St. Joseph (Met.) Group 2 Champion. Boys and Girls NJSIAA bowling group championships at Bowlero, in North Brunswick, NJ on Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024 Ed Murray| For NJ Advance Media
St. Rose Basketball: St. Rose finished as the top-ranked basketball team in the state after capping a stellar season in dominant fashion, taking down Montclair Immaculate, 73-29, in the Non-Public B title game. Led by brothers Matthew and Jayden Hodge, St. Rose’s only losses came against The Patrick School on Opening Night and Montverde (Fla.), two nationally-ranked programs. In between those losses, St. Rose stacked 21 straight wins together, including key wins over Bergen Catholic, Ramapo, Manasquan and Union Catholic. St. Rose ended the year with eight straight wins, taking the Shore Conference Tournament crown before cruising to a state championship.
St. Rose celebrates with the trophy after winning the 2024 NJSIAA Non-Public B boys basketball final between St. Rose and Montclair Immaculate at Jersey Mike’s Arena at Rutgers University in Piscataway, NJ on 3/8/24.Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media
Westfield Swimming: Westfield proved to be in a lane of its own this season, winning all 15 of its dual meets to take the Public A title and finish as N.J.’s No. 1 ranked team. Westfield won seven of the 11 events at the Union County Championships and sent 11 swimmers to the Meet of Champions.
Westfield celebrates with their trophy after defeating Cherry Hill East during the NJSIAA boys A swimming final at the Sonny Werblin Recreation Center at Rutgers University, in Piscataway, NJ on Sunday, February 25, 2024.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance
Kingsway Field Hockey: Kingsway capped a dominant year in dominant fashion, beating Ridge, 5-1, in the Group 4 title game. All told, Kingsway went 20-2 to earn the state’s No. 1 ranking, with both losses coming to out-of-state opponents (Notre Dame De Namur (Pa.) and Hill (Pa.)). Kingsway rattled off 15 wins between those losses and, in its five state tournament games, outscored opponents 34-2.
Kingsway celebrates with their trophy after defeating Ridge, 5-1, in the NJSIAA South Group 1 Sectional Final, at Bordentown High School, in Bordentown, NJ, on Saturday, November 11, 2023.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance
Pingry Tennis: Pingry went wire-to-wire as the state’s top-ranked tennis team, finishing 13-0 to win the Non-Public titles in its second straight undefeated season. Pingry also won its fifth straight Somerset County Tournament and captured another Prep A title in the process.
Pingry celebrates after defeating Newark Academy in the girls tennis Non Public, North Final at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, NJ on Tuesday, October 17, 2023.Tom Horak | For NJ Advance Media
Morris Catholic Basketball: Morris Catholic thrived in the face of a schedule packed with nationally ranked opponents this season, finishing 27-1 with a Non-Public B title. Led by Player of the Year Mia Pauldo, Morris Catholic answered the bell in almost every game it played this year, with its lone loss coming against national power Long Island Lutheran (N.Y.) late in the season. Locally, Morris Catholic’s best wins came against St. Rose, St. John Vianney and Rutgers Prep in the state title game.
Morris Catholic celebrates celebrates with the championship trophy after they beat Rutgers Prep, 53-49, in the NJSIAA Non-Public B girls basketball final, Friday, March 8, 2024, in Piscataway, N.J.Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Ridge Swimming: Ridge produced a perfect 12-0 season to finish as the state’s No. 1 team, turning in eight 100-plus-point victories in the process. Nine of those 12 dual-meet wins came against ranked opponents and Ridge also won the Somerset County Championship meet. Emily Thompson broke two Meet of Champions records and Ridge’s 400 freestyle relay took first at the MOC.
Ridge poses with their trophy after defeating Egg Harbor Township during the NJSIAA girls A swimming final at the Sonny Werblin Recreation Center at Rutgers University, in Piscataway, NJ on Sunday, February 25, 2024.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance Media
Rutgers Prep Soccer: With a roster stacked with Division-1 recruits, Rutgers Prep finished as the state’s No. 1 team after winning the Non-Public B title in penalties over DePaul. Along the way in a 19-1-1 campaign, Rutgers Prep won its first Somerset County Tournament title, had the state Player of the Year in 40-goal scorer Addison Halpern and, in four state tournament games, outscored opponents, 18-2 with three clean sheets.
Rutgers Prep players pose after winning the NJSIAA Non-Public-B final against DePaul at Franklin HS in Somerset, NJ on Friday, November 9, 2023.John Jones | For NJ Advance Media
Union Catholic Track & Field: Union Catholic has become the gold standard of New Jersey track & field over the better part of the past decade and this season has been no different. UC’s 4×800-meter relay team broke the national record at Penn Relays (8:41.20) and is expected to be well-represented at the state sectional, group and Meet of Champions meets in the coming weeks.
Union Catholic poses with the coveted Penn Relays Wheel after it won the High School Girls' 4×800 Championship of America. The UC runners are: Jimmiea King, Sophia Thompson, Paige Sheppard and Peyton Hollis at Franklin Field, Friday, April 26, 2024, in Philadelphia.Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Matt DeStaso, Glen Rock – Baseball: DeStaso has played a lead role for a Glen Rock team that has earned its way into the Top 20 with regularity this season. After batting .387 in 75 at-bats last year, DeStaso has exploded to a .543 batting average this season and his 30 RBI is already more than double what he produced a year ago.
Matt DeStaso (2) of Glen Rock during the Bergen County Tournament first round baseball game between Glen Rock and Pascack Hills at Glen Rock High School in Glen Rock, NJ on 5/8/24.Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media
Rob Tyra, Johnson – Lacrosse: After scoring 52 goals as a sophomore in 2022 and 42 as a junior in 2023, Tyra has scored at an historic clip in 2024. He has a staggering 106 goals for Johnson this season, becoming just the fourth player in state history to hit triple digits in a single season. Tyra has had 13 games with five or more goals, including six seven-goal performances.
Rob Tyra (12) of Johnson moves the ball past Eddie McVey (5) of Lower Cape May during the NJSIAA, South Jersey, Group 1 first round boys lacrosse game at Arthur L. Johnson High School in Clark, NJ on Wednesday May 22, 2024.Tom Horak | For NJ Advance Media
Christian Esposito, Manalapan – Hockey: Esposito emerged as one of the state’s top netminders in his first year as a starter. He backstopped Manalapan with a .924 save percentage, including a sensational 35-save shutout in the sectional title game, a 1-0 win over Westfield. Esposito produced a staggering .959 save percentage in four state playoff sectional tournament games, leading the Braves to an appearance in the state title game.
Christian Esposito (35) of Manalapan during the NJSIAA Public South Quarterfinal between Hunterdon Central and Manalapan at Jersey Shore Arena in Wall Township, NJ on February 22, 2024.Richard O'Donnell | For NJ Advan
Steve Donahue, Montgomery – Basketball: Donahue had a limited role for Montgomery as a sophomore and missed most of his junior season with an injury. But this season was different. He averaged 16.2 points, six rebounds and three steals per game for Montgomery, earning Second Team All-State honors.
Steve Donahue (35) of Montgomery drives to the basket while being defended by Nick Cicchetti (32) of Monroe during the NJSIAA Central Jersey, Group 4, final at Montgomery HS in Skillman, NJ on Friday, March 1, 2024John Jones | For NJ Advance Media
Nicholas Matese, Princeton – Soccer: A Second Team All-State selection, Matese’s work on the back line helped turn Princeton into one of the best defensive teams in the state this fall. Princeton went 22-2, won Group 4 and finished as the No. 4 team in New Jersey, thanks to a defensive effort that saw the Tigers finish third in the state in goals-against per game. Princeton conceded only 11 goals in 24 games.
Nicholas Matese (1) of Princeton moves the ball during the Group 4 boys soccer semifinal against Washington Township at Princeton High School, Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media
Ryan Burton, St. Joseph (Mont.) – Wrestling: Burton went from a third-place finisher last year to one of the best wrestlers in the country at 175 pounds this season. In December, Burton was ranked No. 1 at 175 on Rokfin and he lived up to those expectations, beating rival Louie Cerchio of Delbarton three times on his way to the state title. He also won titles at Beast of the East and Escape the Rock. Burton lost only one bout all season.
Ryan Burton of St Joseph (Mont.) gestures to the crowd after he beat Louis Cerchio of Delbarton with a last-second takedown to win the 175-pound final at the NJSIAA State Wrestling Championships at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., Saturday, March 2, 2024. Andrew Mills | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Sophia Stazi, Camden Catholic – Field Hockey: Stazi, a freshman, quickly inserted her name into the conversation as one of the top field hockey players in the state in the fall. She was named First Team All-State after a season that saw her log 33 goals and 11 assists for a Non-Public championship-winning team.
Sophia Stazi (25) of Camden Catholic dribbles during the NJSIAA Non-Public Final, at Bordentown High School, in Bordentown, NJ on Saturday, November 11, 2023.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance
Samantha Wakeley, Eastern – Softball: Wakeley has become one of the state’s most prolific pitchers this spring. In 148.2 innings, she’s pitched to a remarkable 1.41 ERA – improved from her respectable 3.14 mark a year ago. She’s also more than doubled her strikeouts, with 327 this season, compared to 126 last year, and has allowed just 30 earned runs. At the dish, Wakeley is batting .419 with one home run and 18 RBI.
Samantha Wakeley (7) of Eastern pitches against Lenape at Eastern High School in Voorhees, NJ on Friday, April 26, 2024.Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance
Gandy Malou-Mamel, Gill St. Bernard’s – Basketball: Malou-Mamel made a significant jump from her sophomore season to her junior year, becoming one of the state’s elite post players. A University of Connecticut recruit, Malou-Mamel averaged 16.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game to earn Second Team All-State honors.
Gandy Malou-Mamel (42) of Gill St. Bernard's and Hope Masonius (13) of Manasquan battle for position during the Hoop Group Boardwalk Showcase girls basketball game between Manasquan and Gill St. Bernard’s at Robert Collins Arena at Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, NJ on Sunday, January 7, 2024.Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media
Ashley Markle, Old Bridge – Volleyball: Markle exploded on the scene as a freshman, earning Second Team All-State honors for Old Bridge. She compiled 296 kills, 137 digs and 50 aces, helping her team to a Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament title in her rookie season.
Ashley Markle (17) of Old Bridge rises high for a kill shot during the Greater Middlesex Conference girls volleyball final between Old Bridge and Monroe at Old Bridge HS in Old Bridge, NJ on Tuesday , October 24, 2023.John Jones | For NJ Advance Media
Isabella Kolbusz, Mount Olive – Football, Flag Football: Kolbusz, a converted soccer player, booted a game-winning field goal for Mount Olive in the fall to secure a 30-28 win over Sayreville in the state playoffs. She parlayed that experience into more football success – this time with flags – in the spring, where she’s been among the state’s leaders in tackles (47), pass breakups (eight) and interceptions (three).
Mount Olive kicker Izzy Kolbusz (87) boots the game-winning extra point with Tommy Canning (13) holding to beat Roxbury in Friday night's North 2, Group 4 high school football final in Succasunna. The Marauders stunned the Gaels 27-26. 11/10/2023 Steve Hockstein | For NJ Advance MediaSteve Hockstein | For NJ Advance
Alina Vysochenko, Shore – Tennis: Experience, or rather lack thereof, meant little to Vysochenko, who excelled as a freshman. Vysochenko reached the state singles finals, where she lost a three-set thriller to Montclair Kimberley’s Nina Abalos. Vysochenko went 9-0 in her team matches, including five 6-0, 6-0 sweeps.
Alina Vysochenko of Shore reacts after a point in the singles final against Nina Abalos of Montclair Kimberley during the NJSIAA girls tennis singles & doubles finals at Mercer County Park in West Windsor, NJ on Thursday, October 19, 2023.Scott Faytok | NJ Advance Media
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