Jake Matson

I am so honored and humbled to have received the distinction of First Place for Reporting and Writing — Sports Writing Portfolio for my work in 2024 by the New Jersey Press Association My sincere thanks to the NJPA and readers who took the time to read my work this past year!

Made no sense.

Thank You @NFCAorg for the All Region 1st Team recognition for region IX. So grateful for my @Donovansoftbal1 Coaches, Teammates, Support Staff, and Parent Alumni support. Blessed to be part of a list with so many hard working athletes. 🙏@AuburnSoftball @CoachMalveaux @KateMalveaux @rykerzc @DJSanders37 @Garrett_Siemek3 @savannaparker12 @CaseyPage2 @intensitykod @Intensity18uBOD @MaxPreps @PGFnetwork @LineDsoftball @ExtraInningSB @tagupSoftball @HSSportsNJ @APPSportsDesk @JSSInsider @JakeMatson @bybillevans @Jake_Aferiat @nlowe11 @TCSFastpitch

These Girls and this Program continue to do their thing! It takes EVERY single one of our players TOGETHER to achieve what we do both on and off the field! Way to go ladies! *Special thanks to our coaches,parents and @RaritanAD for all you do and the support! 👍🏻

Clippers Draft Pick Will Play for Auburn This Season 👀 The Los Angeles Clippers selected 7-foot French center Narcisse Ngoy with the No. 57 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft… but he won’t be heading to the NBA just yet. Instead, Ngoy will honor his commitment to Auburn and suit up for the Tigers during the 2026-27 season while the Clippers retain his NBA rights in a draft-and-stash scenario. Ngoy never declared for the draft and didn’t participate in the pre-draft process, but was automatically eligible due to his age. The French standout was recently named MVP of France’s second division, averaging: 🏀 10.7 PPG 💪 11.7 RPG 🚫 2.7 BPG This is one of the most unique draft stories we’ve seen, as an NBA team drafts a player who will spend the upcoming season playing college basketball.

Honestly, I hate this decision. Like most things the NCAA does, it’s shortsighted. This is a response to a problem that is very significant in a few sports (mainly basketball) and is a broad overcorrection because the NCAA was too incompetent in individual eligibility decisions.

And to clarify that when I say 100 recruits already, that’s guys with confirmed offers. But there always surges and late offers that happen and there are still players that will emerge. Looking back, it could easily be 150+ future D1 players on the field at the Shore this fall.

I’m very excited to write about this in detail as we get closer to football season, but the returning talent in the Shore Conference this fall is unreal Across ‘27, ‘28 and ‘29 classes, there are close to 100 D1 recruits already Banner year for High School football at the Shore

Many Thanks to the @APPSportsDesk for selecting me 1st Team @ShoreConfSB for 2026. Special Thanks @JakeMatson for the coverage of each of the Athletes that I share this honor with and for covering @Donovansoftbal1 and all of my teammates over the entirety of my HS🥎career. @intensitykod @Intensity18uBOD @AuburnSoftball @CoachMalveaux @KateMalveaux @rykerzc @DJSanders37 @FrizellRiley @savannaparker12 @Garrett_Siemek3 @CaseyPage2 @JohnCohenAD

Another standout basketball and football player as a receiving option for the Hawks and very exciting to keep Schultzel local. As an F tight end, he has great upside. In the mold of Eli Stowers at Vanderbilt but I believe he can be a better blocker given his post skills in hoops

Commited 100% 🏠🦅

Thank you @JakeMatson and @APPSportsDesk for the First Team All Shore selection, and congratulations to all the other athletes! @FIUSoftball @oliviaadyan @NJCheetahsGonz

Honored to be selected First Team All-Shore by @APPSportsDesk and @JakeMatson Proud to be recognized with such incredible athletes in this conference! 🍀 @GoldGarvey @RBCSoftball @coach_crowell @ABaggetta @lexxx_20 @laurenfoster02 @HSSportsNJ @Jake_Aferiat @LineDsoftball

Thank you @JakeMatson and @APPSportsDesk for the honor of First Team All Shore 🙏 Congratulations to the great players on this list especially the @Donovansoftbal1 including @bellamaria2026 @nunez_jaelynn and @CarolineKopp26. Big thanks to my coaches and teammates and family for their support and guidance ❤️🥎 @CoachLaurenKarn @JenLapicki @Katey_hendi @PrepSoftball @ExtraInningSB @SoftbalAmerica @LineDsoftball @MaxPreps @tagupSoftball @intensitykod @nj_athletics @NJ_Sports @APPSportsDesk @JakeMatson

This is huge for Monmouth keeping Yates local. Fantastic playmaker with a multi-sport background and lot of similarities to the Hawks’ recent stars like Dymere Miller and Josh Derry.

Mike Brown is my King

I never thought I’d say this, but the greatest choice I’ve ever made in my life is being a Knicks fan. Nothing tops this. Pure joy.

ESPN broadcast doing ESPN broadcast things

Interesting ending as the final out is a throw out on the steal attempt. Donofrio finishes with 16 strikeouts for the Rams Final Ramsey 8 Barnegat 1

Wow. And in one swing in the bottom of the 7th, the perfect game and shutout go out the window. Senior Riley Schmidt with a solo home run in what is likely her final career at bat for Barnegat Ramsey lead is 8-1 now

Back at Ivy Hill Park on a sweltering day in Newark for more softball state finals! It’s the breakthrough team Barnegat (24-2) against Ramsey (25-3) for the Group 2 state title! Can the upstart Bengals topple the powerhouse Rams? We’ll find out. 1st pitch in about 20 minutes!