Hillsborough Basketball Players Recognized By RVCC Athletics

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — Two Hillsborough basketball players were among second-year men’s and women’s players at Raritan Valley Community College to be recently honored for their participation in the College’s athletic program.

Lauren Ferretti of Hillsborough and Courtney Price of Readington from the women’s team were recognized before the Feb. 16 game against Essex County College. During a “sophomore night” program, the athletes were met at half-court by head coach Phil Herro and assistant coach Ashley Chard and were given a framed action shot photo. The Lions fell to a talented Essex team during the game, however Ferretti scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Price scored nine points and added five rebounds.

At halftime, RVCC recognized two student-athletes: Robert Spies of Hampton and Jenna Collier of Hillsborough. Spies, a member of the RVCC cross country team, was named an NJCAA All-American as well as a U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Association All-American for his spectacular season. Collier was named the recipient of RVCC’s Augie Eosso Legacy Scholarship that celebrates the values of Professor and Coach Augie Eosso, who worked at the College from 1968-2010. The award is given annually to an RVCC student-athlete who best represents the character, self-discipline, team spirit, leadership and academic determination so important to Eosso, to the mission of the College, and to its athletic program. Collier is a tri-sport student-athlete for the Lions, competing in women’s soccer, women’s volleyball and women’s softball during her two years at RVCC. In addition to her participation in athletics, she maintains a 3.8 GPA.

The men’s basketball team held sophomore night Feb. 21 prior to its game against Orange County Community College. Zaire Robinson of Woodbridge, Jawan Robinson of Jersey City, Sam Pierre of East Orange and Jayce Beasley of Melbourne, Australia were all honored and met at half-court by head coach Kevin Ryan and assistant coaches Lou Mercer and DeShawn Batts. Each was presented with a framed action shot photo. During the game, the sophomores led the Lions to victory. Pierre scored a game-high 20 points on an efficient 8-12 shooting from the field. Zaire Robinson added 18 points, shot 14-16 from the free throw line, and tallied 10 assists. Beasley scored 14 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Jawan Robinson had a team-high 10 rebounds. The Lions men’s basketball team finished its regular season at Lackawanna College on February 28, and was set to participate in the NJCAA Region XIX playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.

Raritan Valley Community College’s main campus is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

(Photos provided)

Photo 1: From left, RVCC Assistant Athletics Director George Eversmann, All-American Robert Spies, and Director of Athletics Amanda DeMartino.

Photo 2: Jenna Collier, second from left, recipient of RVCC’s Augie Eosso Legacy Scholarship, is joined by Director of Athletics Amanda DeMartino, left, and members of Eosso’s family.

Photo 3: RVCC women’s basketball players were honored during sophomore night on February 16. Pictured, from left, are head coach Phil Herro, Courtney Price, Lauren Ferretti and assistant coach Ashley Chard.

Photo 4: RVCC men’s basketball players were honored during sophomore night on February 21. Pictured, from left, are assistant coach Lou Mercer, Jayce Beasley, Jawan Robinson, Sam Pierre, Zaire Robinson and head coach Kevin Ryan.

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.