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THREE STARS OF THE WEEK (Dec. 24-30)
Jackson Byrne, Morristown, F, Sr.
Byrne put together the best game of his career on Saturday, netting five goals in a 6-2 win over Oratory. The five goals all came consecutively over three periods after Morristown fell in an 0-2 deficit early in the game. He now has 10 goals and 4 assists to his name thus far in 2023-24.
Sam Gero, Madison, F, Jr.
Gero netted the game-winning goal in overtime off an assist from his younger brother Lucas to help Madison earn a 3-2 win over Mendham in a big Halvorsen division win. He finished with a goal and an assist, and now has a team-high of 17 points (10 g., 7 a.) for the Dodgers.
Jake McCloud, Morris Knolls-Hills, F, Jr.
The junior had seven points in two games this week for the co-op, recording two goals and five assists in a 5-5 tie with Passaic Tech and a 6-4 win over Summit. He has a team-high of 15 points with seven goals and eight assists to this point.
MORRIS-SUSSEX HOCKEY REPORT TOP 10 RANKINGS (through Dec. 30)
1- Delbarton (6-1)
Last week: 1
The Green Wave won the William Hanson Invitational in Massachusetts with wins over Catholic Memorial and Bishop Feehan. It will take on St. Augustine on Thursday in a rematch of last year’s Non-Public state final.
2- Randolph (6-0-1)
Last week: 2
Randolph remained unbeaten this week, earning a 4-4 tie with St. Joseph of Metuchen, before earning an impressive 9-2 win over Middletown South. Only West Morris (54) has scored more goals in the area than the Rams, who have 53 goals in seven games.
3- Pope John (6-3)
Last week: 3
The Lions went a perfect 3-0 at the Ice Vault Holiday Classic this week, taking down a state Top 20 team in Middletown South before knocking off reigning Public A champion Ridge on Saturday for coach Ryan Brown’s 200th career win. It resumes Gordon Conference play with a matchup against a Top 10 team in Bergen Catholic on Wednesday.
4- Chatham (6-2)
Last week: 7
The Cougars jump up to the fourth spot as the team has found a groove, winning six-consecutive games. It picked up its biggest win of the year to date, with a 4-3 win over Morristown-Beard on Wednesday.
5- Morristown-Beard (4-2-1)
Last week: 4
The Crimson suffered their first divisional loss of the season to Chatham, but bounced back with a win over Oratory Prep. It will take on Randolph in a big Mennen game on Wednesday.
6- Morris Knolls-Hills (3-4-1)
Last week: 6
Knolls-Hills went through an up-and-down week, tying Passaic Tech, before beating Summit and then losing to Middletown South. It will look to get some traction this week with games against Mendham and Morristown-Beard.
7- KJS United (4-3)
Last week: 5
KJS drops to the seventh spot after a pair of losses to Ramapo and Morristown. It bounced right back though, with a win over a very strong West Milford-Pequannock squad.
8- Morristown (2-4-1)
Last week: 10
The Colonials have been competitive all season, even in an 0-4-1 start, and that has finally come to fruition with back-to-back wins this week. It earned an impressive win over KJS United, before taking down Oratory on Saturday.
9- West Morris (7-0)
Last week: 8
West Morris played just one game this week, and came away with a dominant 9-2 win over Morris Catholic-St. Elizabeth. It faces Mahwah on Friday as it looks to remain undefeated.
10- Madison (3-5)
Last week: NR
Madison makes its debut in the Top 10 rankings this week after a big 3-2 win over Mendham, ranked ninth in last week’s ranings, in overtime. It has won two in a row and will look to keep it going against Mount Olive-Hopatcong-Hackettstown on Sunday.
Also considered: Gill St. Bernard’s (4-1), Newton-Lenape Valley (7-2), Bernards-Somerville-Middlesex (3-3-1)
E-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com
Morris-Sussex Hockey Report 