North Jersey Interscholastic Conference Players of the Week
for January 3rd
Tyler Benway, Pompton Lakes, Sr., G
Benway has been one the leading scorers for Pompton Lakes over the course of a great first month for this program. Pompton Lakes won just three games last season, but is off to a 5-1 start. Benway and Andrew Adegbite opened the year by scoring double-digit points in a two-point win over Garfield. This team has also won close against Butler, Eastern Christian and Manchester Regional. Benway averaged double-digit points in those games and is the team’s top scorer so far. Adegbite, Jack Babich and Riley Lopez have also stepped up in big spots.
Anthony Pizzuti, Lyndhurst, Sr., F
Pizzuti is a 6-foot-4 playmaker who continues to get the job done for the Golden Bears. The senior played out of his mind in a 69-66 win over Saddle River Day last month. Pizzuti finished that night with 35 points and 14 boards and helped Lyndhurst pick up a quality win against one of the better non-public programs in the area. The senior has four double-doubles this year and his ability to impact the game down low is a big reason why his team is 6-1.
Luis Placido, New Milford, Jr., G
Placido has been locked in so far, averaging 20 points per game for a team that is 5-1 so far. New Milford has the chance to finish over .500 for the first time since 2018 if things keep going this way. Placido just scored 27 points in a win over Hawthorne Christian and that type of effort is what has allowed him to be so consistent as a scorer this winter. The junior is the leader of the offense and setting the pace alongside seniors Amaurys Beato and Jaiden Ortiz.
