Early Season NJ/NY/PA Elite 8s
by Alex Schwartz
NEW JERSEY
1. St. Benedict's- Led by Texas-commit Tristan Thompson '10, Rice-signee Tamir Jackson '09, Pitt-bound Lamar Patterson '09, and young star Myck Kabongo '11, the Gray Bees are one of America's deepest and most talented teams and will compete for a mythical national championship. The roster is filled with mid and high-major talent, though the team does not have many seniors to rely on. I give Danny Hurley's squad the edge over St. Pat's due to the size advantage.
2. St. Patrick's- North Carolina-signee Dexter Strickland '09 and Kyrie Irving '10 combine to form probably America's best backcourt duo. The team had a great win over John Wall and Word of God (NC) without either of those players, and then had a tough loss to Mater Dei (CA), though the Celtics probably would have won had Irving been eligible, as he is sitting out 30 days due to transfer rules. Kevin Boyle's group lacks size, but has some senior experience with Strickland, George Mason-signee Paris Bennett '09, and Dean Kowalski '09. Look for St. Patrick's to run away with the NJ Tournament of Champions title.
3. St. Anthony's- The Friars are the defending NJ TOC and national champions, but have already suffered an early loss to O'Dowd (CA). One must remember however, that this was without three big-time transfers: Derrick Williams '10, Ashton Pankey '10, and Devon Collier '10. That trio combined with Quinnipiac-signee Jamee Jackson '09 form one of the nation's biggest frontcourts. Bob Hurley's bunch also has one of the country's top players in Villanova-commit Dominic Cheek '09. St. Ant's defeated #6 Trenton Catholic two weeks ago without any of the big men, showing how much under the radar talent is on the roster in players like Travis Conyers '09 and Matt Rista '10.
4. Plainfield- The Cardinals beat #5 Paterson Catholic a few weeks back and then lost to NY #6 Bishop Loughlin in the Jingle Bells Jubilee championship, showing some inconsistency. Anthony Baskerville '09, Isaiah Epps '10, and Tyrone Johnson '11 are a deadly trio of guards, as all three can shoot the three and get to the cup. The team does lack a true quality big man, but if the three guards play well enough they may be able to mask that weakness. Right now, Plainfield is the Garden State's best public school team.
5. Paterson Catholic- The Cougars have already lost three games, to NJ #2 St. Patrick's, NJ #4 Plainfield, and Arlington Country Day (FL), showing that the squad is just not at the level they, and many others, thought they would be at this season. Although PC is not a national power yet, it is certainly a state power despite the two in-state losses. Led by Fordham-bound Lance Brown '09, Fuquan Edwin '10, TJ Clemmings '10, Jayon James '10, and Myles Mack '11, the team is deep and talented and will wreak havoc in New Jersey.
6. Trenton Catholic- Like #5 Paterson Catholic, the Iron Mikes are not quite at the level they expected to be at. The team lost to #3 St. Anthony's despite the Friars having just two key players, while TCA was without just one (Markese Tucker '10). Nonetheless, Fred Falche's bunch is deep and has a lot of talent. Much of the team's success will depend on the interior play of Daquan Basnight '09, Lafayette Smith '09, Brandon Taylor '12, and Tucker.
7. Life Center Academy- Led by Syracuse-commit Dion Waiters '10, Life Center plays a lot of games and does so against many good teams. In addition to Waiters, the team has Rider-signee Dera Nd-Ezuma '09 and Daryus Quarles '10 amongst others. Life Center is very talented, but the team will live and die by the play of Waiters, one of the best juniors in America.
8. St. Peter's Prep- A traditional football powerhouse, St. Peter's Prep has a fantastic basketball team that is not being talked about as much as many of the other teams in the state. Mammoth Keith Lumpkin '11 is a beast in the paint and Ron Roberts '10 is an athletic specimen down low. That duo forms one of New Jersey's best frontcourts, while Myles Davis '11 is regarded as one of the best sophomores in the US, and has a killer jumper. Although, SPP is not deep, that trio can do a lot of damage.
Just Missed: Paterson Eastside, Newark Science
NEW YORK
1. Lincoln- Yes, Lance Stephenson '09 and Co. have struggled so far, but frankly, the Railsplitters are still the best team in the Empire State. Stephenson is arguably the best player in America, while Maryland-bound James Padgett '09 is a bruising big man, and Darwin "Buddha" Ellis '09 is a talented and experienced, but undersized guard. Anthony Allen '09 has played well so far this year, but for Lincoln to be dominant on a national level, Shaq Stokes '11 will need to step his game up as the floor leader. All of Lincoln's losses have come to national powerhouses, including many peoples' preseason #1 team Duncanville (TX). No one in NY is at that level, and thus Lincoln takes the cake as the best in the state.
2. Rice- Mo Hicks' team just lost to Findlay College Prep (NV), arguably the best team in the nation, but it was without superstar Durand Scott '09, a Miami-signee, who is missing time due to injury. Once he comes back, he will help Rice compete for a NY Federation title, as the team has a lot of talent in James Stukes '09, Shane Southwell '10, and Ryan Rhoomes '10. The team does lack a true banger down low, but their play at the guard and wing spots will take Rice a long way.
3. Mt. Vernon- Sherrod Wright '09 is the best player on the team, but Mt. Vernon has a lot of talent to help him out, with players such as Jordan Lessane '09, Najee Whitehead '11, and Jabarie Hinds '11. The storied powerhouse is easily the best team in New York not located in NYC. Bob Cimmino is a well respected coach who always has his team playing well, and this year will be no different. Watch for Mt. Vernon to make some noise in 2009.
4. Boys & Girls- Ruth Lovelace has gotten a lot of publicity, being a female coach in charge of a boys' varsity squad, as ESPN's Outside the Lines and ESPN Rise have both featured her. Coaching one of the best public school's team in NY, Lovelace has a lot of talent to work with, specifically in Anton Dickerson '09, Devante Cutler '09, Lamont Samuell '09, and Mike Taylor '11. Although there are no big-time low post players on B&G, the guard play is spectacular and will take the team a long way. The squad can knock down the trey and is well-coached, so if a big man does emerge, the team could be scary.
5. Thomas Jefferson- With Joel Wright '09, Keith Spellman '09, and Davontay Grace '11, Thomas Jefferson has a lot of firepower, and will compete with #4 Boys & Girls for the title of best public school team in New York, outside of #1 Lincoln. If Grace distributes the ball well and Spellman continues to do what he does best, which is score, Jefferson has a chance to make a deep run in the state playoffs, and maybe even do some damage outside of NY.
6. Bishop Loughlin- After superstar Doron Lamb '10 transferred to Oak Hill Academy (VA) and Head Coach Khalid Green left for a scouting position with the New Jersey Nets, it seemed that the Catholic School power would be in for a down year, but so far that has not been the case. Trevon Hamlet '09, Jayvaughn Pinkston '10, and Brandon Frazier '10 have all stepped up, while Antonie Brown '09 has also been solid. Just recently, the team knocked off NJ #4 Plainfield to win the Jingle Bells Jubilee crown. If the aforementioned quartet of ballers keeps playing at a high level, Loughlin will be able to compete for a CHSAA title.
7. Christ the King- With Erving Walker '08 gone to Florida and Ryan Pearson '08 now at George Mason and Head Coach Bob Olivea involved in a scandal in the offseason and not coaching the team this year, things were not looking good for CTK. Somehow though, Sean Johnson '09, Roland Brown '10, Dominykas Milka '10, Maurice Barrow '10, and Corey Edwards '11 have kept the team strong, and the squad has a legitimate shot at a CHSAA title.
8. Jamesville-DeWitt- Led by Syracuse-bound Brandon Triche '09, J-D is one of the top teams in upstate NY and in the state as a whole. Alshawn Hymes '09 provides Triche with some help, though other players will need to step up for J-D to move up in the rankings. J-D will live and die by the play of Triche, so he will have to have a big-time year.
Just Missed: Cardozo
PENNSYLVANIA
1. Roman Catholic- The guard play of the Philly powerhouse is fantastic, as Maalik Wayns '09, a Villanova-signee, is one of the best players in America and Rakeem Brookins '10 is an under the radar stud who has been great so far this year. Although RC is not big after losing Aaron Brown '11 to #3 Pennwood, the team still does have talented but raw forward Anthony Mayo '10 and Koron Reed '09. If that pair can have a good year, RC, which beat Arlington Country Day (FL) and barely lost to Mater Dei (CA)—widely considered the #1 team in the US—at the City of Palms, will easily be the best team in PA. Right now, it's a toss-up between RC and #2 Neumann-Goretti for the top spot in the Keystone State.
2. Neumann-Goretti- With Wake Forest-commit Tony Chenault '10, Tyreek Duran '10, Mustafa Jones '10, and Lamin Fulton '11 in the fold, N-G will not have to worry about guard play or having a player who can knock down the trey. Daniel Stewart '10 is a gifted forward, while Niagara-signee Andre "Scooter" Gillette '09 is the team's lone true low post player. If Gillette can elevate his game and become more polished, N-G will be a feared squad in the area. The team was one of the only squads to beat NJ #2 St. Patrick's during summer ball, so there is obviously a lot of talent on the roster.
3. Pennwood- The best public school in PA, Pennwood is led by a pair of talented sophomore big men, Sean Oakman '11 and Aaron Brown '11. Tyree Johnson '10 is another major part of the squad, which has its eyes on a state title. As long as that trio plays well and Duane Johnson '09 and Thomas White '09 offer some help, Pennwood should be able to reach its goal.
4. Imhotep Charter- This squad is easily one of the most under the radar teams in the area, as Andre Noble's bunch is deep and talented, yet lacks that big-time star that brings major notoriety to the school. With Marist-bound Sam Prescott '09 and Towson-signee Will Adams '09 providing senior leadership and experience, and Erik Copes '11 doing the dirty work down low, Imhotep will turn some heads this season. Other players who could have an impact is big-time freshman Richard Hoskins '12 and Lamont McClaurin '11.
5. North Catholic- Rakeem Christmas '11 has transformed from mainly a jayvee player last season to a top 10 player in America according to some. Although he is raw, the big man has a lot of talent and will be a force in the Philly Catholic League. Jack O'Neill '10 and Xavier Harris '11 are two of North Catholic's other key ballers. This is a group that will be competing for a Catholic League title.
6. Glen Mills- Aaric Murray '09, who will take his game to La Salle next season, is one of the best players in America, and is the top player in PA not on a Philly squad. The ferocious, athletic, bruising big man is the focal point of the team, but Terrance Daniels '11 will also have a major impact, as he is a gifted player who burst onto the scene over the summer.
7. Pennsbury- West Virginia-signee Dalton Pepper '09 is by far the best player on the team, but Pennsbury has a lot of other players who can cause damage. The squad showed it is for real by making it to the semifinals of the Beach Ball Classic. Ed DiRugeris '09, Jesse Krasna, and Dante Devine '10, form the rest of the nucleus for the big public school. The team's season will depend on how well Pepper plays.
8. Friends Central- After Academy of the New Church lost Shannon Givens '09, Friends Central may well have become the favorite to win the Friends League. Led by Dominic Morris '10 and Devin Coleman '11, both of whom are primed for a big year, Friends Central will battle it out with the aforementioned ANC for the Friends League crown.
Just Missed: Girard College HS, Academy of the New Church
NJ/NY/PA
1. St. Benedict's (NJ)
2. St. Patrick's (NJ)
3. Lincoln (NY)
4. Rice (NY)
5. St. Anthony's (NJ)
6. Roman Catholic (PA)
7. Mt. Vernon (NY)
8. Neumann-Goretti (PA)
Note- NJ Hoops, NYChoops.net, and the Beach Ball Classic website used for information.
NEW JERSEY
1. St. Benedict's- Led by Texas-commit Tristan Thompson '10, Rice-signee Tamir Jackson '09, Pitt-bound Lamar Patterson '09, and young star Myck Kabongo '11, the Gray Bees are one of America's deepest and most talented teams and will compete for a mythical national championship. The roster is filled with mid and high-major talent, though the team does not have many seniors to rely on. I give Danny Hurley's squad the edge over St. Pat's due to the size advantage.
2. St. Patrick's- North Carolina-signee Dexter Strickland '09 and Kyrie Irving '10 combine to form probably America's best backcourt duo. The team had a great win over John Wall and Word of God (NC) without either of those players, and then had a tough loss to Mater Dei (CA), though the Celtics probably would have won had Irving been eligible, as he is sitting out 30 days due to transfer rules. Kevin Boyle's group lacks size, but has some senior experience with Strickland, George Mason-signee Paris Bennett '09, and Dean Kowalski '09. Look for St. Patrick's to run away with the NJ Tournament of Champions title.
3. St. Anthony's- The Friars are the defending NJ TOC and national champions, but have already suffered an early loss to O'Dowd (CA). One must remember however, that this was without three big-time transfers: Derrick Williams '10, Ashton Pankey '10, and Devon Collier '10. That trio combined with Quinnipiac-signee Jamee Jackson '09 form one of the nation's biggest frontcourts. Bob Hurley's bunch also has one of the country's top players in Villanova-commit Dominic Cheek '09. St. Ant's defeated #6 Trenton Catholic two weeks ago without any of the big men, showing how much under the radar talent is on the roster in players like Travis Conyers '09 and Matt Rista '10.
4. Plainfield- The Cardinals beat #5 Paterson Catholic a few weeks back and then lost to NY #6 Bishop Loughlin in the Jingle Bells Jubilee championship, showing some inconsistency. Anthony Baskerville '09, Isaiah Epps '10, and Tyrone Johnson '11 are a deadly trio of guards, as all three can shoot the three and get to the cup. The team does lack a true quality big man, but if the three guards play well enough they may be able to mask that weakness. Right now, Plainfield is the Garden State's best public school team.
5. Paterson Catholic- The Cougars have already lost three games, to NJ #2 St. Patrick's, NJ #4 Plainfield, and Arlington Country Day (FL), showing that the squad is just not at the level they, and many others, thought they would be at this season. Although PC is not a national power yet, it is certainly a state power despite the two in-state losses. Led by Fordham-bound Lance Brown '09, Fuquan Edwin '10, TJ Clemmings '10, Jayon James '10, and Myles Mack '11, the team is deep and talented and will wreak havoc in New Jersey.
6. Trenton Catholic- Like #5 Paterson Catholic, the Iron Mikes are not quite at the level they expected to be at. The team lost to #3 St. Anthony's despite the Friars having just two key players, while TCA was without just one (Markese Tucker '10). Nonetheless, Fred Falche's bunch is deep and has a lot of talent. Much of the team's success will depend on the interior play of Daquan Basnight '09, Lafayette Smith '09, Brandon Taylor '12, and Tucker.
7. Life Center Academy- Led by Syracuse-commit Dion Waiters '10, Life Center plays a lot of games and does so against many good teams. In addition to Waiters, the team has Rider-signee Dera Nd-Ezuma '09 and Daryus Quarles '10 amongst others. Life Center is very talented, but the team will live and die by the play of Waiters, one of the best juniors in America.
8. St. Peter's Prep- A traditional football powerhouse, St. Peter's Prep has a fantastic basketball team that is not being talked about as much as many of the other teams in the state. Mammoth Keith Lumpkin '11 is a beast in the paint and Ron Roberts '10 is an athletic specimen down low. That duo forms one of New Jersey's best frontcourts, while Myles Davis '11 is regarded as one of the best sophomores in the US, and has a killer jumper. Although, SPP is not deep, that trio can do a lot of damage.
Just Missed: Paterson Eastside, Newark Science
NEW YORK
1. Lincoln- Yes, Lance Stephenson '09 and Co. have struggled so far, but frankly, the Railsplitters are still the best team in the Empire State. Stephenson is arguably the best player in America, while Maryland-bound James Padgett '09 is a bruising big man, and Darwin "Buddha" Ellis '09 is a talented and experienced, but undersized guard. Anthony Allen '09 has played well so far this year, but for Lincoln to be dominant on a national level, Shaq Stokes '11 will need to step his game up as the floor leader. All of Lincoln's losses have come to national powerhouses, including many peoples' preseason #1 team Duncanville (TX). No one in NY is at that level, and thus Lincoln takes the cake as the best in the state.
2. Rice- Mo Hicks' team just lost to Findlay College Prep (NV), arguably the best team in the nation, but it was without superstar Durand Scott '09, a Miami-signee, who is missing time due to injury. Once he comes back, he will help Rice compete for a NY Federation title, as the team has a lot of talent in James Stukes '09, Shane Southwell '10, and Ryan Rhoomes '10. The team does lack a true banger down low, but their play at the guard and wing spots will take Rice a long way.
3. Mt. Vernon- Sherrod Wright '09 is the best player on the team, but Mt. Vernon has a lot of talent to help him out, with players such as Jordan Lessane '09, Najee Whitehead '11, and Jabarie Hinds '11. The storied powerhouse is easily the best team in New York not located in NYC. Bob Cimmino is a well respected coach who always has his team playing well, and this year will be no different. Watch for Mt. Vernon to make some noise in 2009.
4. Boys & Girls- Ruth Lovelace has gotten a lot of publicity, being a female coach in charge of a boys' varsity squad, as ESPN's Outside the Lines and ESPN Rise have both featured her. Coaching one of the best public school's team in NY, Lovelace has a lot of talent to work with, specifically in Anton Dickerson '09, Devante Cutler '09, Lamont Samuell '09, and Mike Taylor '11. Although there are no big-time low post players on B&G, the guard play is spectacular and will take the team a long way. The squad can knock down the trey and is well-coached, so if a big man does emerge, the team could be scary.
5. Thomas Jefferson- With Joel Wright '09, Keith Spellman '09, and Davontay Grace '11, Thomas Jefferson has a lot of firepower, and will compete with #4 Boys & Girls for the title of best public school team in New York, outside of #1 Lincoln. If Grace distributes the ball well and Spellman continues to do what he does best, which is score, Jefferson has a chance to make a deep run in the state playoffs, and maybe even do some damage outside of NY.
6. Bishop Loughlin- After superstar Doron Lamb '10 transferred to Oak Hill Academy (VA) and Head Coach Khalid Green left for a scouting position with the New Jersey Nets, it seemed that the Catholic School power would be in for a down year, but so far that has not been the case. Trevon Hamlet '09, Jayvaughn Pinkston '10, and Brandon Frazier '10 have all stepped up, while Antonie Brown '09 has also been solid. Just recently, the team knocked off NJ #4 Plainfield to win the Jingle Bells Jubilee crown. If the aforementioned quartet of ballers keeps playing at a high level, Loughlin will be able to compete for a CHSAA title.
7. Christ the King- With Erving Walker '08 gone to Florida and Ryan Pearson '08 now at George Mason and Head Coach Bob Olivea involved in a scandal in the offseason and not coaching the team this year, things were not looking good for CTK. Somehow though, Sean Johnson '09, Roland Brown '10, Dominykas Milka '10, Maurice Barrow '10, and Corey Edwards '11 have kept the team strong, and the squad has a legitimate shot at a CHSAA title.
8. Jamesville-DeWitt- Led by Syracuse-bound Brandon Triche '09, J-D is one of the top teams in upstate NY and in the state as a whole. Alshawn Hymes '09 provides Triche with some help, though other players will need to step up for J-D to move up in the rankings. J-D will live and die by the play of Triche, so he will have to have a big-time year.
Just Missed: Cardozo
PENNSYLVANIA
1. Roman Catholic- The guard play of the Philly powerhouse is fantastic, as Maalik Wayns '09, a Villanova-signee, is one of the best players in America and Rakeem Brookins '10 is an under the radar stud who has been great so far this year. Although RC is not big after losing Aaron Brown '11 to #3 Pennwood, the team still does have talented but raw forward Anthony Mayo '10 and Koron Reed '09. If that pair can have a good year, RC, which beat Arlington Country Day (FL) and barely lost to Mater Dei (CA)—widely considered the #1 team in the US—at the City of Palms, will easily be the best team in PA. Right now, it's a toss-up between RC and #2 Neumann-Goretti for the top spot in the Keystone State.
2. Neumann-Goretti- With Wake Forest-commit Tony Chenault '10, Tyreek Duran '10, Mustafa Jones '10, and Lamin Fulton '11 in the fold, N-G will not have to worry about guard play or having a player who can knock down the trey. Daniel Stewart '10 is a gifted forward, while Niagara-signee Andre "Scooter" Gillette '09 is the team's lone true low post player. If Gillette can elevate his game and become more polished, N-G will be a feared squad in the area. The team was one of the only squads to beat NJ #2 St. Patrick's during summer ball, so there is obviously a lot of talent on the roster.
3. Pennwood- The best public school in PA, Pennwood is led by a pair of talented sophomore big men, Sean Oakman '11 and Aaron Brown '11. Tyree Johnson '10 is another major part of the squad, which has its eyes on a state title. As long as that trio plays well and Duane Johnson '09 and Thomas White '09 offer some help, Pennwood should be able to reach its goal.
4. Imhotep Charter- This squad is easily one of the most under the radar teams in the area, as Andre Noble's bunch is deep and talented, yet lacks that big-time star that brings major notoriety to the school. With Marist-bound Sam Prescott '09 and Towson-signee Will Adams '09 providing senior leadership and experience, and Erik Copes '11 doing the dirty work down low, Imhotep will turn some heads this season. Other players who could have an impact is big-time freshman Richard Hoskins '12 and Lamont McClaurin '11.
5. North Catholic- Rakeem Christmas '11 has transformed from mainly a jayvee player last season to a top 10 player in America according to some. Although he is raw, the big man has a lot of talent and will be a force in the Philly Catholic League. Jack O'Neill '10 and Xavier Harris '11 are two of North Catholic's other key ballers. This is a group that will be competing for a Catholic League title.
6. Glen Mills- Aaric Murray '09, who will take his game to La Salle next season, is one of the best players in America, and is the top player in PA not on a Philly squad. The ferocious, athletic, bruising big man is the focal point of the team, but Terrance Daniels '11 will also have a major impact, as he is a gifted player who burst onto the scene over the summer.
7. Pennsbury- West Virginia-signee Dalton Pepper '09 is by far the best player on the team, but Pennsbury has a lot of other players who can cause damage. The squad showed it is for real by making it to the semifinals of the Beach Ball Classic. Ed DiRugeris '09, Jesse Krasna, and Dante Devine '10, form the rest of the nucleus for the big public school. The team's season will depend on how well Pepper plays.
8. Friends Central- After Academy of the New Church lost Shannon Givens '09, Friends Central may well have become the favorite to win the Friends League. Led by Dominic Morris '10 and Devin Coleman '11, both of whom are primed for a big year, Friends Central will battle it out with the aforementioned ANC for the Friends League crown.
Just Missed: Girard College HS, Academy of the New Church
NJ/NY/PA
1. St. Benedict's (NJ)
2. St. Patrick's (NJ)
3. Lincoln (NY)
4. Rice (NY)
5. St. Anthony's (NJ)
6. Roman Catholic (PA)
7. Mt. Vernon (NY)
8. Neumann-Goretti (PA)
Note- NJ Hoops, NYChoops.net, and the Beach Ball Classic website used for information.
Comments