By RICH FISHER
Contributing Editor
The iconic CYO Center in Trenton provided the backdrop as the Mercer County high school basketball season officially came to a close.
The Mercer County CYO Boys & Girls High School All-Star games were played in the Mincey Manczak Gymnasium March 16, with season awards handed out between games.
At left, CYO Executive Director Tom Mladenetz presents the CYO Sandra Valenza Oropel Girls All Star Game MVP Award to Hightstown’s Caitlyn Nagle for her contributions during the March 16 high school all-star event. At right, West Windsor-Plainsboro North standout Jean Baptiste receives the CYO High School Boys All-Star Game’s Andy Kusnirik MVP award, which is given by the son of the award’s namesake, Andy Kusnirik Jr. Photos by Pat Hardiman
The afternoon was sponsored by DJ Nebbs Entertainment, IAABO Board 193, The Bank of Princeton, Foley’s Family Market and Lakeside Auto Service.
As far as the game’s themselves were concerned, West Windsor-Plainsboro North’s Jean Baptiste earned the Andy Kusnirik award as the Most Valuable Player of the boys game. Hightstown High’s Caitlyn Nagle earned the girls MVP and received the Sandra Valenza Oropel Award.
Baptiste helped his Northern Knights team to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV championship game, while Nagle was a driving force behind the Rams 18-10 season.
Three coveted post-season awards were also given out between games.
At left, former Notre Dame standout and 1992 Jack Cryan Award winner Ed Kopera presents the 2025 Cryan Award to the mother of Joel Cineus. The Ewing High senior was unable to attend the March 16 CYO All-Star games due to illness. Contributed photo. At right, former Immaculate CYO and McCorristin High School star Danielle Bottoni, 1994 Renee Keister Award winner, presents this year’s award to Notre Dame’s Alayna Ramirez. Photo by Pat Hardiman
Ewing High’s Joel Cineus was the 55th annual winner of the Jack Cryan Award. The late Jack Cryan was a former Notre Dame and Rider College (now University) standout who was known for his never-ending hustle and tenacious play on the court. Cineus embodied all those attributes in averaging 15.2 points and 9.1 rebounds per game and helping Ewing to the Colonial Valley Conference Tournament title and Central Jersey Group III championship game. With Joel unable to be on hand due to illness, his mom accepted the award.
The 33rd annual Renee Keister Award went to Notre Dame’s Alayna Ramirez. Renee Keister was a rising star for McCorristin before a tragic home accident left her paralyzed from the waist down after her sophomore season. She showed tremendous courage and determination in carving out a successful life for herself, and Ramirez showed those same traits in helping the Irish to the CVC Tournament title while earning tournament MVP honors. Ramirez averaged 7.8 points and 3.5 rebounds this season.
The John “Mincey” Manczak Referee of the Year Award went to Lonnie Basnight, a veteran official known for making the right calls and being a fair official.
IAABO Board 193 President Kevin Krisak (left) presents the John ‘Mincey’ Manczak CYO Referee of the Year Award to this year’s winner, Lonnie Basnight, between games of the CYO All-Star games. Photo by Pat Hardiman