Exceptions: Collegiate level and professional teams.
November 30, 2020
TRENTON-ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–Governor Phil Murphy announced in the COVID-19 Press Confrence and via Facebook that youth and adult sports are being place on full pause from December 5th to January 2, 2021. See below as we wait for further direction and a release from the Governor’s Office with an Executive Order that should be available later today. Those items will be added to this story when available. Also the NJSIAA headquartered in Robbinsville has released a statement via social media.
Governor Phil Murphy: “All indoor youth and adult sports are being placed on a full pause – effective 6:00 AM on December 5th through January 2nd, 2021.We’re seeing outbreaks related to indoor sports, and this will help slow the spread. Only exceptions: collegiate-level and professional teams.”
Medium and High Risk Sports Can Resume Under 25% Capacity Limit
October 12, 2020
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–Governor Phil Murphy today signed Executive Order No. 187, allowing the resumption of contact practices and competitions in indoor settings for organized sports defined as “medium risk” and “high risk” by the New Jersey Department of Health’s “Guidance for Sports Activities.” The order encompasses sports including hockey, basketball, cheerleading, group dance, rugby, boxing, judo, karate, taekwondo, and wrestling. Governor Murphy previously signed Executive Orders No. 149 and 168, which permitted the resumption of outdoor sports activities, “low risk” practices and competitions in indoor settings, and non-contact indoor practices for “medium risk” and “high risk” sports.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging for our student-athletes, support staff, and school communities,” said Governor Murphy. “After consulting stakeholders and medical experts, we have concluded that, with proper public health and safety protocols in place, indoor sports may now resume in a way that protects players, coaches, and staff.”
All indoor practices and competitions are limited to 25% of the capacity of the room, but not more than 25 or less than 10 persons. However, if the number of individuals who are necessary for practice or competition, such as players, coaches, and referees, exceeds 25, the practice or competition may proceed if no unnecessary individuals such as spectators are present. Even if this exception applies, the number of individuals at the practice or competition cannot exceed 25% of the capacity of the room, and such limit cannot exceed 150 persons.
Facilities and participants must abide by a number of health and safety protocols outlined in the Department of Health’s “Guidance for Sports Activities,” such as screenings for athletes, coaches, and staff; limitations on equipment sharing; and requirements for disinfecting and sanitizing surfaces and equipment.
Additionally, sports under the oversight of either the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association or the NCAA must continue to abide by those associations’ rules. All sporting activities must comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and Executive Orders.
The order will take effect immediately.
For a copy of Executive Order No. 187, please click here.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–In Mercer County Tournament’s final four Trenton Catholic Academy boys defeated Hightstown High School with a final score of 85-63. Trenton Catholic Academy will take on Nottingham High School in the final Friday at 7 pm at the Cure Insurance Arena.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–The Mercer County Tournament’s final four girls Trenton Catholic Academy defeated Trenton High School with a final score of 93-42. Trenton Catholic Academy plays Stuart Country Day School at 5 pm at the Cure Insurance Arena.
TRENTON, NJ (MERCER)–In Mercer County Tournament’s final four held a the Cure Insurance Arena tonight, Nottingham defeated Robbinsville boys basketball with a final score of 61-47. Nottingham will advance to the final game against Trenton Catholic Academy on Friday Night 7 pm at the Cure Insurance Arena.
ROBBINSVILLE/HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Molly Aromando, a senior at Trenton Catholic Academy (Hamilton, NJ) and lifelong Robbinsville resident, recently accepted a basketball scholarship offer from The College of Saint Rose (Albany, NY) and signed a National Letter of Intent. The Golden Knights, an NCAA Division II program, are members of the Northeast 10 Conference.
“I’m so excited to be continuing my academic and basketball careers at Saint Rose,” said Aromando. “Coaches (Karen) Haag and (John) Ardizone are great people and teachers of the game. The Northeast 10 is one of the best conferences in Division II. I got along really well with my future teammates on my visits. I plan to be a teacher and coach, and their School of Education is excellent. And I love the campus in Albany, which is a beautiful city.”
Aromando, a smooth, versatile 5’11” guard with excellent range, playmaking ability and tenacity on defense, first attracted attention from colleges as the MVP of her AAU team, the Central Jersey Hawks-Lightning, coached by John Mayo. Her play in AAU and at TCA has enabled her to be only the second Robbinsville native to earn a basketball scholarship. Peddie grad Lisa Lebak, a star guard at Division I Quinnipiac from 2009-2013, was the first.
Aromando is also the first Robbinsville resident to play Girls Varsity Basketball for the legendary Lady Mikes. She has been building a laudable legacy at TCA since her arrival in Fall 2018. She enrolled there after two standout years at Robbinsville High School, where she earned a 4.1 GPA, letters in two Varsity sports (soccer and basketball), all-conference honors and recognition as one of the Top 100 Sophomores in NJ Girls High School Basketball.
During Aromando’s time at TCA, the Lady Mikes, under head coach Bob Fusik, have been among the best teams in the state and nation.
In 2018-19, TCA finished 25-4 and ranked #6 in the state. The Lady Mikes won Burlington County Scholastic League (BCSL) Liberty Division, Mercer County Tournament and NJSIAA South Jersey Non-Public B titles. Aromando became a key contributor after sitting the first 30 days of the season per state transfer rules. In her best outing, she registered 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists vs. Pennsauken.
This season, TCA has played a schedule filled with state and national powers. The Lady Mikes have more than risen to the challenge, posting a 22-1 record as of February 21. They are currently ranked #2 in NJ and in the Top 25 in several national polls, including MaxPreps (#14) and espnW (#24). The roster includes four senior D1 commits (three basketball; one track), as well as one junior and two freshmen with many D1 offers.
“I love my teammates,” said Aromando. “They are talented players and great people. We spend a lot of time together. We have so much fun. And we have each other’s back. You can see that in games. We play unselfish, team basketball.”
Indeed. TCA scores a whopping 72 points per game, but no player averages over 13 per game. Six average between 10 and 13 per game. As many as 11 players may see the floor. So individual contributions aren’t always visible in box scores.
Still, Aromando has made her mark on the Lady Mikes super season. In her last 10 games since returning to the lineup after an injury, she has contributed 7.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. In a recent start against Westampton Tech, defending Central Jersey Group 3 champions, she delivered 8 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 blocked shots. In another start in the MCT opener vs. Nottingham, Aromando exploded for a career-high 23 points on 8-13 shooting, including three 3’s, and recorded 6 steals, 6 rebounds, 3 blocked shots and 2 assists. And in the MCT quarterfinals against Hightstown, she registered 9 points, 6 steals, 4 assists and 3 rebounds.
“I’ve never cared about stats,” said Aromando. “My teammates feel the same way. We just want to win and play the right way. We have big team goals this season. We know we have to continue to work very hard, get better every day and bring our best each game to achieve them.”
Aromando also excels off the hardwood at TCA. She was named TCA’s Female Scholar-Athlete in 2018-19. She has made the Honor Roll of Distinction (no grades less than an A) in every semester of her TCA career, has earned an A in every class she has taken in high school (except for one B) and maintains a 4.0 GPA taking Honors and AP courses. She also serves as Student Council President, leads the TCA Chapter of Catholic Athletes for Christ, is a Peer Tutor and spent part of the past two summers as a volunteer for Project Appalachia, in which members of the St. Gregory The Great Catholic Church youth group perform home repairs for those in need in rural West Virginia.
“TCA welcomed me from Day 1 like I was family,” said Aromando. “It’s been that way ever since. The school community is so caring. The experiences, opportunities and support I’ve had here have been incredible. I’ll always cherish my time at TCA.”
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Trenton Catholic Academy, Iron Mikes boys basketball team defeated the Allentown, Redbirds with a final score of 78-66. The Trenton Catholic Academy will advance in the Mercer County Tournament and take on Hightstown in the final 4 to be held at the Cure Insurance Arena.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–The Trenton Catholic Academy “Iron Mikes” girls basketball team won their game against the Hightstown Rams tonight at the Iron Palace with a final score of 76-16. Trenton Catholic Academy will advance to the final 4 against Trenton High School.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The visiting Trenton Tornadoes girls basketball team defeated the Allentown Redbirds during the Mercer County Tournament with a final score of 47-41. Trenton High School Girls will advance to the final 4, their next game is against Trenton Catholic Academy.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville boys basketball team defeated West Windsor Plainsboro North with a final score of 59-44 in their Mercer County Tournament game tonight.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The Allentown boys basketball team defeated Pennington during their game in the Mercer County Basketball Tournament tonight with a final score of 78-61.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–At the Mercer County Basketball Tournament tonight Hightstown girls won their game against Robbinsville with a final score of 44-41.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–Since we are starting the MCT basketball tournament this week enjoy these photos ranging from 20 to over 30 years ago. These were (except for Steinert game below) in what is now called the “old gym” and photographs were taken using a flash, a 35 mm camera with a slow motor drive that had a manual focus lens. Today we have high quality digital cameras, fast frames per second, auto focus, high iso with fast lenses that eliminate the need for flash at most venues and almost instant feedback looking at results on back of camera.
The boys game below is believed to be around 1989-1990 due to the negatives it was stored with. Still looking for more of that game and some others from the past.
ALLENTOWN, NJ (MONMOUTH)–The Allentown boys basketball team held their senior night tonight to honor four players that will be graduating, RJ Weise, Kaushal Kallam, Tim Mastromarino and Harrison Hass. During the game Allentown defeated Bordentown with a final score of 73-71.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville boys basketball team clinched the Valley Division 2019-2020 title tonight with their win against Steinert. Final Score 53-38
HIGHTSTOWN, NJ (MERCER)–The Hightstown boys basketball team are the 2019-2020 Colonial Division Champions after their win against Notre Dame tonight at home. Final Score Hightstown 67 Notre Dame 64 in overtime.
And we’re off here @ Home vs. Notre Dame. We look to clinch the Colonial Division with a win tonight. First 🤚: Ben Simon, Connor Mamone, Nicky Desmond, Ryan Hogan, and Kyle Reiss. #HightstownHoops
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)—RJ Weise of the Allentown high school boys basketball team scored his 1,000 career points tonight at an away game at Nottingham High School.
After scoring his 1,000 career point the clock was stopped and RJ was met by his family, coaching staff and team members on the court for a short 1,000-point celebration.
Talking to RJ after the game he said, “It feels great, It shows how great of coaches and teammates I have.”
Basketball runs in the Weise family and the last person to score 1,000 points at AHS was RJ’s sister Ryan Weise who scored in her junior year 4 years ago on the girls basketball team. Looking to the future RJ’s brother Dante Weise currently a sophomore also plays on the same varsity team and has somewhere around 200 points and has a bright future ahead.
The last person from the boys basketball team to score 1,000 was in 2005 according to records.
RJ is committed to Rider University Men’s Basketball, in Lawrence Township this fall semester. Rider University Basketball is NCAA Division 1 and in the MAAC Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
RJ Weise of the Allentown high school boys basketball team scored his 1,000 career points tonight at an away game at Nottingham High School.
ROBBINSVILLE, NJ (MERCER)–The Robbinsville boys basketball team celebrated senior night tonight. The Ravens also defeated the West Windsor Plainsboro North Knights with a final score of 59-45.
WEST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–The visiting Allentown Redbirds with a strong comeback in the 4th period defeated the West Windsor Plainsboro South Pirates 72-71 with seconds left in the game.
