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THREE STARS OF THE WEEK (Dec. 16-23)
Maksym Pastukh, Newton-Lenape Valley, F, Jr.
The junior has been nothing short of unstoppable to open the 2023-24 season. Through seven games, he has registered 16 goals and four assists, and has recorded five hat tricks- and had four in a row just this week alone- in leading Newton-Lenape Valley to the Sussex Cup title for the second time in three seasons.
Jessica Sperling, Morristown-Beard (girls), F, Sr.
Sperling starred for the Crimson this week in a pair of wins over Top 5 teams in the state in Oak Knoll (No. 5) and Immaculate Heart (No. 3). She had a natural hat trick and an assist in a 6-2 win over Oak Knoll, before tallying five points (1 g., 4 a.) in a 5-0 win over IHA. Her 12 points are a team-high for Morristown-Beard, which is off to a 4-1 start.
Jase Zangara, Randolph, F, Jr.
The junior has been the centerpiece of a Randolph offense which has scored at least six goals in all five of its wins to open the season. He had a goal and two assists in a win over Wayne, before registering three goals and three assists in a dominant win over Pascack Valley-Hills. He has a team-high of 19 points for undefeated Randolph, which has scored 40 goals in five games.
MORRIS-SUSSEX HOCKEY REPORT TOP 10 RANKINGS (through Dec. 23)
1- Delbarton (4-1)
Last week: 1
Delbarton continued its strong start to the year by completing the season-sweep of Princeton Day, with a 5-2 win on Tuesday.
2- Randolph (5-0)
Last week: 2
The Rams continued their impressive start with a 6-2 win over Wayne and a 9-2 win over Pascack Valley-Hills.
3- Pope John (3-3)
Last week: 3
Pope John split its games this week, defeating Notre Dame, 4-1, before losing 3-1 to a strong St. John Vianney squad.
4- Morristown-Beard (3-1-1)
Last week: 5
The Crimson jump up one spot this week after taking down KJS United, the team that was ranked fourth last week, 5-2. It followed that up with a dominant 10-0 win over Bernards-Somerville-Middlesex for the team’s second-straight win.
5- KJS United (3-1)
Last week: 4
KJS drops after a loss to Morristown-Beard, but it did bounce back with a big 7-3 Halvorsen division win over Mount Olive-Hopatcong-Hackettstown.
6- Morris Knolls-Hills (2-3)
Last week: 6
The co-op earned a big Mennen win with a 5-2 win over Morristown early on in the week. It then suffered an 8-4 setback to St. Joseph (Mont.) in the middle of the week in the Ice Vault classic.
7- Chatham (5-2)
Last week: 7
The Cougars have now won five games in a row as it took down Orartory, Frisch, and West Essex-Caldwell in the Essex Holiday Tournament. The squad scored three times in the third period to rally for a 5-4 win over West Essex-Caldwell in the team’s Teddy Bear toss game.
8- West Morris (6-0)
Last week: NR
West Morris has been a force to be reckoned with early on in the season, going undefeated to this point. It vaults into the rankings courtesy of an impressive showing at the Essex Holiday Tournament- where it beat Frisch, Oratory, and West Essex-Caldwell- teams it outscored 18-6.
9- Mendham (3-2-1)
Last week: 9
Mendham had an up-and-down week, as it tied Mount Olive-Hopatcong-Hackettstown, before earning a 2-1 win over Nutley-Bloomfield-Columbia. Then, it fell, 1-0 to Scotch Plains-Fanwood- a game in which it outshot the opposition 47-31.
10-Morristown (0-4-1)
Last week: 8
Morristown is still seeking its first win of the season after a 5-2 loss to Morris Knolls-Hills and a 4-3 loss to Livingston. The team has given a representative effort in just about every game it has played to this point against some tough competition, and should break into the win column soon.
Also considered: Bernards-Somerville-Middlesex (3-3-1), Gill St. Bernard’s (4-1)
E-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com
Morris-Sussex Hockey Report 