Red Bank Catholic’s Addy Nyemchek will be playing in the most prestigious high school girls basketball all-star game. Nyemchek was selected to play in the 2026 McDonald’s All-American Game, the organization announced on Monday afternoon. She is the first McDonald’s All-American from Red Bank Catholic since Justine Pissott in 2022. Committed to Indiana University, she’s also the first signee in Hoosiers program history to be selected. “It’s definitely really cool, I’m really excited. It’s definitely an honor to be picked as a McDonald’s All-American so I’m really excited,” Nyemchek said. “This is a crazy opportunity, being called a McDonald’s All-American will definitely be a memory forever, so to making those memories and being a part of the game is just really special.” The senior guard, who currently stands at 1,541 career points, is averaging 19.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.8 steals per game and has made 23 3-pointers. She will be playing on the East roster. Nyemchek is currently the top-rated player in the state of New Jersey for the class of 2026, ranked as a four-star recruit and 28th in the country by ESPNW. Red Bank Catholic, ranked No. 2 in the NJ.com Top 20, is 18-2 and tied for first atop the Shore Conference A North Division at 7-1. The Caseys have only lost to Long Island Lutheran (NY) and St. John Vianney so far this season. “It goes a lot to my support system too, my parents first of all, my trainers, my coaches, my teammates, they’re all definitely a huge part of it and I’m so, so thankful for them,” Nyemchek said. “I’ve been working hard for a really long time and if you told me like two years ago that I would be a McDonald’s All American I’d probably laugh. I never thought that was an opportunity. So I think just staying grounded and continuing to work hard is finally paying off. ” This year’s McDonald’s All-American game will be played on March 31 in Phoenix, Arizona and will be broadcast on ESPN....

Red Bank Catholic won’t be the favorite in the Non-Public B state tournament. That distinction will go to defending champion Camden Catholic. Pope John is the main challenger. The Caseys might not be favored in District 32 either. Not with Lower Cape May, currently No. 13 in the state, boasting a state medalist, multiple state qualifiers and a head-to-head victory. RBC is not a wrestling juggernaut, not yet at least. But the Caseys are on their way. Right now, they are a dangerous team that continues to build momentum with a lineup that thrives in a dual-meet setting. Red Bank Catholic, ranked No. 16 in the NJ.com Top 20, won 10 bouts, including six straight from 132 through 165 pounds, to author a comprehensive 46-18 victory over host Lacey in a pivotal Shore Conference C Division match on Friday night in Lanoka Harbor. Joseph Gallagher (113), Anthony Russo (150) and Javier Guzman (157) each won by fall to lead the Caseys to their 10th win in their last 12 matches. Their only defeats during that span have come to No. 9 Delsea and Lower Cape May. Chris Kelesidis (132) and Luken Ramos (144) won by technical fall, while John Tarantino (106), Robbie Fritz (138) and Christian Rodriguez (165) won by major decision. Brian Garcia (190) and Phil Bertole (285) won by decision. For Lacey, Virginia Tech commit Killian Coluccio won by fall at 120 pounds, as did Joey Davis at 175. Aidan Flynn won by major decision at 126 and Jake Mott won by decision at 215. The Lions, however, were deducted one team point for unsportsmanlike conduct at 165 pounds. Friday’s victory clinched at least a share of the Shore C Division title for RBC. The Caseys can clinch the title outright when they wrestle Point Pleasant Boro on Feb. 4. Either way, it will be the first division title in program history. “They are truly a great dual-meet team because they care about each other more than their own wins and losses,” RBC head coach Joe Gallagher said. “That’s why we’re winning. That’s why we’re getting better. They listen so well and they care about everybody else.” “We believe in each other and we’re working hard in the room,” Ramos said. Red Bank Catholic (12-7) and Lacey (9-4) split the first four bouts. Tarantino won by major decision at 106 pounds over Chris Hingston and Gallagher locked in a cradle for a pin of Luke Miller at 113. Lacey answered when Coluccio, the state runner-up at 106 pounds last season, pinned Jax Bucco in 1:31 at 120. Senior Aidan Flynn scored a 14-6 major decision over Cole DeAngelo at 126 pounds to tie the match score 10-10. By the time Lacey won another bout, RBC had already taken control of the match. A technical fall by Kelesidis at 132 pounds ignited a dominant stretch through the middle weights that saw the Caseys open a commanding 40-10 lead. Fritz majored Eli Heilala at 138 for a four-point lead and Ramos followed with a technical fall at 144 for a 24-10 advantage. Pins by Russo and Guzman at 150 and 157, respectively, opened a 36-10 lead and Rodriguez capped the run with a major decision at 165 to clinch the match. It was a thorough win for Red Bank Catholic over a solid Lacey team, and it came with the Caseys missing two starters. Junior 120-pounder Mako Vezzosi was banged up during a win over Washington Township at the Pine Barrens Duals. He weighed in but did not wrestle. Senior heavyweight Caden Sternlieb, a transfer from St. Thomas Aquinas where he was a state qualifier last season, has yet to make his RBC debut as he works his way back from an injury. Balance has helped RBC overcome that type of adversity all season. The Caseys have one returning state qualifier in their lineup (Fritz). Tarantino is the only RBC wrestler ranked among the top eight in the NJ.com individual weight class rankings. Their success has been a product of depth, toughness and belief, not star power. “I don’t know how this ends, but the way they wrestle, not many things are off the table,” Gallagher said. “RBC is just getting started,” Ramos said. “We’re trying to become a powerhouse, and it’s only going to get better from here.”...

Shore Sports Insider is proud to partner with OIB Ortho this winter to present our weekly OIB Ortho Boys Basketball Team of the Week Award, recognizing standout Shore Conference programs for their accomplishments on the court. We are also thrilled to welcome Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties as a co-sponsor, providing a generous $250 gift card each week to celebrate the winning team. The Week 1 recipient of the 2026 OIB Ortho Team of the Week is Red Bank Catholic, following the Caseys who fought off two tough tests last week against Marlboro and Ranney, then pulled away for a win over Lawrence to close out the week on Saturday. Last Tuesday, senior James Hankowski scored a team-high 15 points including the tie-breaking three-pointer from the top of the key with 30 seconds left to lift the Caseys over Marlboro in a 53-52 thriller. Junior Tyler Hager added 11 points and six blocked shots. Last Thursday, it was senior Gavin Biasi knocking down six three-pointers on his way to a game-high 24 points as the Caseys topped Ranney, 69-65. Hager added 16 points while Hankowski added 10. On Saturday, Hankowski buried six three-pointers on his way to a game-high 26 points as the Caseys defeated Lawrence, 58-43. On Monday, Shore Sports Insider visited practice to present Red Bank Catholic head coach Tyler Schmelz and the team with a commemorative game ball and a $250 Joe Leone’s Italian Specialties Gift Card, courtesy of our partners at Joe Leone’s, for a well-earned team meal....