Daily Record du lieu suivant : Morristown, New Jersey • A1

When Laura Shim started spending a lot of time online playing the video game Valorant, her parents exactly thrilled. The senior from Northern Valley Re- gional High School at Old Tappan had to be persuasive. She said already her homework. practiced her violin. And to distract from the digital gun at the center of the shooter, she had one more card to play: She was defending her honor as a member of the varsity esports team.

Already a multibillion-dollar industry with professional teams and live ESPN broadcasts, competitive video-gaming is establishing itself as a force in New Jer- sey as well, with dozens of schools ing teams, clubs and other programs. On Saturday, the season will culmi- nate for 28 teams at the Garden State Es- ports state championships at Kean Uni- versity. Before a live audience, high school and middle school squads will don jerseys, sidle up to their keyboards and face playing rounds of Super Smash Knockout City, Rocket League: Snow Day and Overwatch 2. ABOVE: Jonathan Karram and Brandon Egner play Valorant as members of the Hopatcong High School esports team during the online competition. PHOTOS BY CHRIS NOT JUST FUN AND GAMES ESPORTS PROVIDE A PATHWAY TO COMMUNITY, SCHOLARSHIPS, JOBS FOR NJ HIGH SCHOOL KIDS Jane Havsy NorthJersey.com USA TODAY NETWORK NEW JERSEY LEFT: Danilo Lalo represents Hopatcong High School in an online competition.

Esports require determination, mental focus, teamwork and hand-eye coordination similar to needed in traditional sports, players say. See ESPORTS, Page 9A DAILY DISCOUNTS SAVINGS PAGE 2A Volume 36 No. 104 Home delivery pricing inside Subscribe 800-398-8990 $2.50 QEAJAB-17401r(a)N)N)b)d FRIDAY, MARCH 31, 2023 DAILYRECORD.COM PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK Get the latest news, sports and more See top headlines, local breaking news, area scores, things to do and subscriber exclusives at dailyrecord.com. Subscriber-only eNewspaper Use your computer or app to access your paper online. Subscribers also get access to USA eNewspaper, plus updated news and sports Extra sections.

George Bratsenis, one of the two hit men who pleaded guilty to a New Jer- sey murder-for-hire plot, was sen- tenced Wednesday to 16 years in pris- on by U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez in federal court in Newark. Bratsenis, 74, was the to alert authori- ties to the details be- hind the mysterious killing of political oper- ative Michael Galdieri, who was stabbed to death and whose apart- ment was set on on May 22, 2014. Bratsenis and his partner in a string of armed robberies, Bomani Africa, were paid $15,000 by political consult- ant Sean Caddle to kill Galdieri, Vaz- quez said. Caddle wanted him dead because he had been stealing money from Caddle, according to Vazquez.

Bratsenis called Galdieri real nice having known Galdieri for a cou- ple of years before the murder and worked with him on a 2013 state Sen- ate race. Hit man in murder sentenced Ashley Balcerzak NorthJersey.com USA TODAY NETWORK NEW JERSEY In January 2019, Matt ca- reer in New Jersey public life appeared over before it even got started. The young, brainy chief counsel for Gov. Phil Murphy became the face of a fumbling, see-no-evil, hear-no-evil squad of inner-circle aides who turned an bureaucratic eye and deaf ear to a rape allegation from an administration Katie Brennan. A legislative investigation into the issue also came at the height of an in- ternal Democratic Party war, which made Platkin a top target for foes.

See STILE, Page 7A Political Stile Charles Stile USA TODAY NETWORK For AG, test in Paterson See SENTENCE, Page 8A Bratsenis Mets seeking redemption: Now is the time for World Series run SPORTS, 1B EXPERIENCE BETTER HEARING test and video otoscope exam are always free. Hearing test is an audiometric test to determine proper amplification needs only, not a medical 251-5439CALL Call Today for Your Comprehensive Hearing Evaluation $125 Value! UI245485CODE: $495 NOW ONLY! BUY ONE, GET ONE GENIUS TECHNOLOGY OFF One coupon per purchase. Available on MINI Solution 1 only, one aid only. Expires One coupon per purchase. Discount does not apply to prior sales.

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