Luke Dickerson and Michael Simone are prospects who belong on the baseball diamond, but they're still hockey players.
The two were regulars on the Morris Knolls baseball team and the Morris Knolls Hills hockey team, closing this frozen chapter in the ring.
Almost nine months ago, Simone was 2-for-2 with a home run, five RBIs and three RBIs. Dickerson helped the Morris Noles win the Group 3 baseball title with a double and three runs scored.
On the ice Monday at Newark's Prudential Center, the two combined for four points to help reigning state champion and two-time leading Morris Knolls Hills Governor Livingston of New Providence.
“It feels great,” said Simone, who is committed to playing D1 in Manhattan. “I'm not throwing shade at the baseball team, but I definitely thought we were going to win a state championship in hockey before baseball. I mean, it feels great to finally win in hockey.” It’s just in our DNA to win those types of games.”
The team was trailing 1-3 at the end of the second period when Simone got the ball back on track.
He then assisted on Eli Singley's game-winning goal with 38 seconds left in regulation. It was his sixth point in the state playoffs and 63rd point of his career.
“Great teammate, great leader,” Morris Knolls Hills head coach Tim Kepler said. “They're all great leaders. (Simone and Dickerson) started leading by example, the first ones on the ice being the last ones off the ice and picking everyone up. Michael, another hard worker; The visible determination of these two people is on another level.”
Dickerson, a shortstop who has committed to play at the University of Virginia and received first-team all-state baseball honors in 2023, had two assists in Monday's win.
“I've known the kid since kindergarten,” Simone said. “It feels amazing. We looked at each other on the ice and started crying. We talked about winning a state championship in middle school and we were finally able to do it together.” I did.”
An 11-game scoring streak that saw Dickerson score 24 times during that span was halted in the process. This strong record, combined with his walk-off home run in the regional final in June, proves his clutch ability.
“Both are great,” he said of the two state titles. “That's something you can only imagine when you're a kid. Before high school, I would go to Noles games in both sports and just watch them compete, work hard and win championships. You just want to do the same.”
“He was definitely on another level,” Kepler added. “I think him doing what he’s done and setting his example has encouraged everyone else and really allowed us to move forward.”
Balancing your primary sport and additional passions is not easy.
Both players work hard to stay sharp when they're not on the ice or on their off weekends, taking in batting practice, ground balls and extra training.
“It's tough because we're starting to get to the end of hockey season, so we're just trying to get ready for baseball season,” Simone said. “But when you're with a group of players like this, they push you and the coaches every day. You just want to do your best for your teammates.”
“It's still coming out here and competing,” Dickerson added. “Just getting into competitive mode to fight and always work hard. It's obviously a sport I've played all my life growing up. I love it. So just coming out here with a few groups of guys. And that’s great.”
Once the first pitch of the 2024 baseball season is over, this moment will be hard to beat.
But it's a memory hockey players will never forget, even if baseball takes them away from the rink.
“I'm sad, but baseball is my sport, so I can't be sad about this ending,” Simone said. “It's a happy ending. That's the ending every little kid wants, dude. So there's really nothing to be sad about.”
Brian Bobal can be contacted at: bbobal@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @Brian Bobal.
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