Jamira Watkins was a dutiful member of the Queen of Peace girls’ basketball team ever since…
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.
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,…
Kearny’s McClelland proving to be two-sport star
The truth be told, Meagan McClelland is a soccer player, first and foremost. McClelland is a…
Nutley’s Watson named to McDonald’s All-American team
When Blair Watson enrolled at Nutley High School a little more than three years ago, she had no idea what…
Harrison’s Leiras emerging as basketball sharpshooter
The high school basketball season was only a handful of weeks away from beginning and Harrison head boys’ coach Noel…
Harrison’s Rutherford becoming a complete basketball player
He’s been called the best basketball talent to come along in Harrison in quite some time, but Harrison High School…
Harrison’s Barreto a do-everything volleyball wizard
Maria Barreto was a late bloomer when it came to the sport of volleyball. But in the case of the…
North Arlington’s Neves a goal-scoring force
Two years ago, Cristiano Neves was a defender on the Newark East Side High School soccer team. But Neves…