Despite having never played varsity baseball before last week, North Arlington High School sophomore Eric McKenna…
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.
QP’s Farley-Clark playing like an All-American
When Raven Farley-Clark first transferred to Queen of Peace from the Patrick School in Elizabeth last…
Kearny’s Vereen saving his best for last
The high school basketball season was winding down to the last precious few games, so it…
North Arlington’s Ricci has game to remember
When the high school basketball season began in earnest in late November, James Ricci didn’t really…
Kearny’s McClelland catches fire at right time
There’s no question who owns the busiest schedule in Kearny High School. That distinction belongs to…
QP’s Sanchez works his way toward state wrestling elite
Enrique Sanchez was all of five years old when his father Elliot introduced his son to…
QP’s Watkins enjoys breakout game against Shabazz
Jamira Watkins was a dutiful member of the Queen of Peace girls’ basketball team ever since…
Harrison’s Leiras leads basketball revival with Blue Tide
Johnathan Leiras doesn’t exactly live the life of a conventional high school student. You see, Leiras…
Mainiero finally finds safe haven with QP wrestling
Dominic Mainiero has been a human tug-of-war game since he was a youngster. A standout on…
Kearny’s Jackson coming of age at right time
After spending a few years at Church Farm School, a private all-boys institution in Pennsylvania, Javon…
Kearny’s Fernandes makes change to benefit team
He was all set to become the premier goal scorer for one of the best…
Kearny’s Fernandes makes change to benefit team
He was all set to become the premier goal scorer for one of the best teams…
Harrison’s Chamba explodes at right time for Blue Tide
Deydiry Chamba came to the United States from his native Ecuador when he was eight years…
Lyndhurst’s Pezzolla a shining star with a brighter future
It didn’t take far for Giulia Pezzolla to find the wherewithal and strength to become a…
NA’s Ribeiro lifts team to NJIC championship game
Most of the North Arlington High School soccer team that went to the NJSIAA North Jersey…
AOTW: Mainiero has versatile day in Maroon Raider setback
Mainiero’s Sports Shop has been a staple of the Nutley community for ages. Located on Franklin…
Harrison’s Silva goes through goal-scoring explosion
The 2015 high school soccer season ended in an instant for Marta Silva. The Harrison High…
Harrison’s O’Donnell leads Blue Tide to 3-0 start
Don’t blink. Don’t even look. But believe it or not, the Harrison High School football team…
Nutley’s Steck becomes school’s all-time goal scoring champ
It’s almost unfair that there’s not a video component to The Observer Athlete of the Week…
OBSERVER ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Lyndhurst’s DiTonto carries on with family tradition
It was only natural that Vincent DiTonto would become a soccer player. After all, the Lyndhurst…
Lyndhurst finds a true ace in DiTommaso
The development of Nic DiTommaso as a top-flight pitcher actually began in earnest late last season.…
Nutley’s Senatore is in the house
After pitching a two-hitter to lead his team past Glen Ridge, 10-2, in the opening round…
Nutley’s Ramezzana breaks out in big way
Jake Ramezzana was in a huge slump and he knew it. “It was actually pretty hard…
Kearny softball slugger is back and right on Pace for unbeaten Kards
A little over a year ago, Sydney Pace was already playing basketball on an injured knee,…
Harrison’s Namiotko emerges as all-around star
Piotr Namiotko was born in the United States, moved to Poland with his family when he…
NA’s Castro returns home, pays huge dividends
After spending the first two years of his high school career at North Arlington High…
QP’s Loyal makes name for himself with strong finish
For the first two years of his high school career, Ibn Loyal _ and yes, that…
Lyndhurst’s Arvanitakis shoots her way to record book in final games
When Joanne Arvanitakis first tried out for the Lyndhurst High School girls’ basketball team, she almost…
NA’s Velez proves that hard work does pay off
After averaging about six points and four rebounds per game last season as a reserve, Steve…
Kearny’s Baez leads Kardinals to first league title in 52 years
When Kearny High School boys’ head basketball coach Bob McDonnell first laid eyes on Joseph Baez,…