North Jersey Interscholastic Conference

Players of the Week for Feb. 8 By

Brandon Gould | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Jayden Ayala, Weehawken, So.

Weehawken is having an incredible season and Ayala’s play has been game-changing for this team. Last week, he scored 24 points in a win over Secaucus. Weehawken has won nine games in a row and it is one of the top seeds in the NJIC Tournament.

Jack Baker, Hasbrouck Heights, Sr.

Baker just scored 23 points in a win over Boonton and that was one of his best games of the year. The senior is a leader on a team that also counts on Anthony Peterson, Josh Rodriguez and Evan Werner.

Deron McLaughlin, Park Ridge, Jr.

McLaughlin has been awesome this winter and his play down low has made a big difference for one of the best Group 1 teams in the state. The junior had 12 points and 13 points against Bergen Charter to start this week and then had a monster 19-point, 19-rebound game against Midland Park. He followed that up with 13 points and 13 rebounds against Leonia.

Damir Stone, St. Mary (Ruth.), Sr.

The senior went off for 31 points in a 74-73 win over Paterson Charter. That game came a week after Stone put up 14 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and five steals against Becton. St. Mary (Ruth.) is having a great season and it’s the top seed in the NJIC Tournament.

Talen Zitomer, Cresskill, Sr.

Zitomer put together a great stretch in the last week, with 23 points in a win over Emerson Boro and 19 points in a victory over Waldwick. Cresskill is playing really well this season and Zitomer has been a leader for this squad.