When the 2021 high school basketball season began in January, veteran Kearny High School head girls’…
Category: Athlete of the Week
Each week during the academic year, our Jim Hague chooses an Athlete of the Week from one of the eight towns we cover.
Belleville’s Bey: Emerging as a leader
As the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic started to linger through the summer months, Belleville High School junior…
Lyndhurst’s Martin making most of lost time
As the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic caused havoc on the scholastic sports schedule, Lyndhurst High School’s talented…
NA’s Joa saves his best game for last
Ricky Joa’s high school football career had dwindled down to a precious few, so when the…
OBSERVER ATHLETE OF THE WEEK — NA’s Witt: The Vikings’ little big man
At the end of the 2019 high school football season, North Arlington head coach Paul Savage…
Lembo: Lyndhurst’s version of ‘Johnny Football’
It’s a nickname that Johnny Lembo was familiar with for a long time. When Lembo was…
OBSERVER TRI-ATHLETES OF THE WEEK — Nutley’s close-knit linebacker corps downright stingy against Millburn
Mitch Iaccarino, Nick Polewka and Alex French have been football teammates since they were in fifth…
Kearny’s Horvaht follows in family’s soccer tradition
It’s safe to say that soccer is a major part of the Horvaht’s family life. The…
Kearny’s Osorio named Observer Female Athlete of the Year; Soccer, basketball star becomes 8th Kardinal to receive year-end award
Samantha Osorio can best be described as the reluctant athlete. The recent Kearny High School graduate…
Memorable night for Leone, Lyndhurst’s version of ‘Rudy’
A.J. Leone was a manager for the Lyndhurst High School state champion football team in 2019,…
Lyndhurst’s Weavers: All in the family
It was all part of a master plan established almost a decade ago. When veteran wrestling…
Belleville’s Castro: A true senior leader
The 2019-2020 boys’ high school basketball season was about to begin and Belleville High School veteran…
Kearny’s Souza a quick learner in basketball and life
Nic Souza moved with his family to the United States from his native Brazil four years…
Lyndhurst’s Berko proven to be a two-sport star
Jonathon Berko was asked the tough question right away. In the spring, Berko is a standout…
Nutley’s Scheidel has 1,000 or so memories over her brilliant career
Nutley High School head girls’ basketball coach Larry Mitschow was all set to have an intense…
Harrison’s Rodriguez: Senior leader for the Blue Tide
The sound of basketballs bouncing inside the Harrison Recreation Center before the early morning rush hour…
Lyndhurst’s Lembo: To the rescue when sorely needed
When the 2019 high school football season began with training camp in August, Anthony Lembo felt…
Lyndhurst’s Ay develops into player of impact in season to remember
For three years of his high school football career, Ismail Ay was a non-descript member for…
Kearny’s Laverde gains redemption
BAYONNE – Two years ago as an unknown freshman, Kearny’s Maria Laverde shocked the local cross…
Lyndhurst’s Rodriguez now making his mark in football
It was February of 2018 when John Rodriguez first made a name for himself. At the…
Lyndhurst’s Partyla looking to break all records
When Piotr Partyla was in eighth grade, he was a member of the Lyndhurst Recreation travel…
Belleville back Leigh brings Buccaneers to three straight wins
Before the 2019 high school football season began, Derek Leigh kept himself very busy in anticipation.…
Nutley’s Higgins named Observer Co-Male Athlete of Year
There’s no doubt about this one fact: Marty Higgins is one of the greatest – if…
NA’s McKenna named Observer Co-Male Athlete of Year
It’s a rarity in today’s day and age of high school sports to see one athlete…
Lyndhurst’s Pezzolla named The Observer’s Female Athlete of Year
For all intents and purposes, Giulia Pezzolla was born to play soccer. “I think I was…
North Arlington rower Mendoza competes on national level
Gary Mendoza was born in Ecuador and moved to the United States, first Sayreville and then…
Kearny close buddies Franco, Reyes push each other to finish line
The long-lasting bond of friendship between Breisly Franco and Xavier Reyes innocently started when the two…
The three P’s: NA’s Alho provides pop, poise and potential
The 2018 high school baseball season was just in its infant stages, maybe two games old…
Belleville’s brilliant backstop Nicosia: A cut above the rest
For the last three-plus years, Belleville High School head softball coach Chris Cantarella has enjoyed an…
NA’s McKenna now enjoys stress-free life
There was a time in his young athletic life that Eric McKenna might allow outside distractions…