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Ranney Senior Joins 1,000 Point Club

On February 21, senior lifer Joe Esquivel-Murphy (Bay Head) scored his 1,000th career point for the Varsity Boys’ Basketball team against American History High School (AHHS). Joe needed 6 points to reach this milestone, which seven other Panthers have accomplished in the school’s history. Joe scored all 6 points within the first half of the game and was joined by Director of Athletics Tom Moriau on the court, who gifted him a traditional basketball marking his initiation into the 1,000-point club.

“I have watched Joe grow not only as a basketball player, but also as an outstanding young man,” he said. “Joe has worked so hard on his game throughout both his Middle and Upper School career. This achievement is only fitting for someone of Joe’s caliber and I know he will succeed wherever life takes him.” Joe was also joined by his teammates, Head Varsity Boys’ Basketball Coach Tyler Schmelz and Assistant Coach Eldridge, his parents, and twin sister, Alexandra, who is also a senior at Ranney.

Says Coach Schmelz about Joe, “The day I interviewed for the position at Ranney, I was driving away and I saw a young kid working on his game on the outdoor court by himself. “Four years later, the same kid is still working on his game every chance he gets. Joe has improved so much as an all-around player. He went from being a shooter to one of our best defenders and rebounders. I will miss Joe's attitude and effort, but he will always have a special place with me as one of my first four-year players and my first 1,000 point scorer.”

The Panthers came out strong with a ton of spirit against AHHS as they celebrated Senior Night and were anxious for their teammate to reach 1,000 points. Joe and his fellow members of the class of 2014, Will Rotolo (Sea Girt) and Grahame Wade (Locust), were all recognized for their dedication to the athletic program before the game. Within the first minute, Joe stole the ball and scored his first two points with a breakaway layup. His second shot came from a flawless assist from classmate Grahame Wade. In the second quarter, the AHHS team stepped up its defense and was heavily covering Joe. Just before halftime, Joe went up for another shot and scored. Although the Panthers eventually lost to AHHS 64-57, the game will be a memorable moment for everyone in the Gerhard Pavilion for Athletics (GPA) that evening.

“The moment the shot went in, I was filled with elation,” said Joe, who ended up with a total of 16 points. “When I started my high school basketball career at Ranney, 1,000 points was a dream of mine. On Friday night, that dream became a reality.”

Joe serves as captain of the Varsity Boys’ Basketball team and also participates in Varsity Boys’ Baseball and finished his senior season of Varsity Boys’ Soccer this past fall. Joe has been a recipient of the Coach’s Cup Award, Athletic Director Awards and Coaches Awards. He was also the MVP of this year’s Panther Classic Basketball Tournament. Outside of athletics, Joe serves as president of the Sports Debate Club and the Spanish National Honor Society and is a member of the National Honor Society.

“My family and my coaches got me to this point. My family has supported me in athletics throughout my entire life and I would not have accomplished this if it wasn’t for them. Coach Schmelz and Coach Eldridge really pushed me during this year’s preseason to be the best player that I could be. My goal to get to 1,000 points really drove me to this point in my career. Athletics have made such a huge impact on my life and I would not be the student I am without them.”
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Ranney School

235 Hope Road
Tinton Falls, NJ 07724
Tel. 732.542.4777
Our mission is to know and value every child, nurturing intellectual curiosity and confidence, and inspiring students to lead honorably, think creatively, and contribute meaningfully to society. 

We envision Ranney School as a nurturing learning community, in which families, faculty, alumni, and all of Ranney’s constituents collaborate to know and value every child, foster individual talents, sustain powerful connections between children and adults, and graduate resilient, globally-minded citizens.