New Jersey Preseason High School Top 20
by Alex Schwartz
The high school basketball season is officially underway, but most New Jersey teams have yet to play their first game. Thus, I decided that it would be a good time to post my preseason high school rankings for the state of New Jersey. There are a number of prep school teams in the state—those with fifth year players—that are ineligible for the rankings, such as Blair Academy, CJEOTO Academy, Hun School, Peddie School, Lawrenceville, NIA Prep, and Ocean Academy. Now, take a look at Northstar Basketball's New Jersey Preseason High School Top 20, with a brief synopsis of each team.
1. St. Patrick's: The #1 ranked team in the nation by Northstar Basketball, the Celtics are the heavy favorite to repeat as the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions winner behind the play Michael Gilchrist '11 and Duke-bound Kyrie Irving '10. Add in arguably the top coach in America in Kevin Boyle along with a deep and talented roster that includes UMBC-sginee Chase Plummer '10, Western Kentucky-commit Derrick Gordon '11, Julian Washburn '10, Kevin Boyle, J. '10 and more, this is clearly the top team in the Garden State.
2. St. Benedict's: My #4 ranked team in America, St. Benedict's is extremely deep and has a well-rounded roster that features a lot of seniors who can really play, but its juniors who are the team's top two players. Texas-commit Myck Kabongo '11 and Arizona-pledge Sidiki Johnson '11 will lead the way for Danny Hurley's team, while Temple-signee Aaron Brown '10, Mike Poole '10, JP Kambola '10, Blaise Mbargorba '11, and Rutgers-bound Gilvydas Biruta '10 will be amongst the other key pieces for the Gray Bees.
3. Paterson Catholic: Checking in at #34 in the nation, this is an experienced team that is coming off of a great season and lost just one key player, and he missed most of the season anyway. Seton Hall-signee Fuquan Edwin '10 is the main man for the Cougars, while Derrick Randall '11, Myles Mack '11, Kyle Anderson '12, Jayon James '10, and Jermaine Peart '10 are very talented as well a team that will settle for nothing less than a state title.
4. St. Anthony's: Just a notch behind Paterson Catholic at #39 in America, St. Anthony's is the most tradition-rich program in the state (ans possibly the country), but is coming off of a disappointing season. A quartet of seniors will lead the way for Bob Hurley, another coach who can say he is the best in America, in Oregon State-signee Devon Collier '10, Richmond-bound Derrick Williams '10, Maryland-commit Ashton Pankey '10, and St. Bonaventure-signee Eli Carter '10 along with Lucious "Lucky" Jones '11 and Jerome Frink '12.
5. St. Peter's Prep: The Marauders just sneaked into the top 100 nationally, coming in at #99, but this team should not be overlooked, and has a legitimate shot to make the TOC finals as well as challenge St. Anthony's for Jersey City supremacy. A big-time quartet of St. John's-signee Ron Roberts '10, Myles Davis '11, Keith Lumpkin '11, and Dallas Anglin '12 form a team that will surprise a lot of people.
6. Trenton Catholic: Another team for whom it is state title or bust, the Iron Mikes return their top four players from last year's team, in Drexel-signee Frantz Massenat '10, Khalid Lewis El '11, Markese Tucker '10, and Dondre Whitmore '10 and also have some other young talent. Brandon Taylor '12, Ronny Paden '12, and Chris Lewis '11 will provide depth for this guard-heavy team that is easily Mercer County's finest.
7. Camden Catholic: Yet another team that is led by a big-time quartet, this might be the surprise team in the state, though there is a distinct drop off after the top six. Lehigh-bound Anthony D'Orazio '10, Tim Crawford '10, Gerry Wixted '10, and Sherard Cadogan '10 are a talented inside-outside group of seniors who play smart basketball and will look to shock the state.
8. Life Center Academy: Despite being hit by a number of key losses, the squad's best player from last year's team—though he missed almost every game—does return in Syracuse-signee Dion Waiters '10. As goes Waiters goes LCA, though he will also get support from fellow senior guard Chris Thompson '10, who is headed to DII UMass-Lowell.
9. Cherokee: The state's top public school team features two talented guards along with two skilled big men and will be looking to win a state title that they fell just a few game short of last year. Vermont-signee Ryan McKeaney '10 and Phil Henry '10 are the post presences, while Willis Nicholson '10 and Christian Jordan '10 will round out the team from the perimeter.
10. Newark Eastside: Although this team is very young, it is easily one of the most talented squads in the state and will challenge Cherokee for the top public school spot on this list. Andre Flanagan '10 is the senior leader, but it is Tariq Carey '12 and Aaron Bodie '12 who will be the team's top two players, while Casim Chandler '12 and Will Joyce '13 are big-time players as well.
11. Plainfield: After a disappointing season last year, another one of the state's top public schools loses two of its top three players, but returns a top five baller in the state in Tyrone Johnson '11, who will be relied upon to carry the Cardinals. Other key members of the squad are fellow guards Mike Price '10 and Nathan Grant-DeWitt '11.
12. Paul VI: A team that may jump out and surprise some people this season after a lackluster showing last year, Paul VI is very well coached and is full of players who play the game the right way. Rob Poole '11 is the squad's top player, but Nick Moore '10 will be relied upon heavily as well.
13. Christian Brothers Academy: One of the best coached teams in the state, CBA is coming off of a fantastic season and will be aided by some players who will move up from last year's outstanding junior varsity squad. JP Koury '11 and Roy Mabrey '10 are the go-to guys for a team that was one win short of a state championship in 08-09.
14. Paterson Kennedy: Last year it was Paterson Eastside who was the public school from the Silk City that advanced to a state title game, and this year it may wall be Paterson Kennedy. A duo of senior guards lead the way in scorer Shondell Stewart '10 and big-time assist man Daquere Hayes '10.
15. Seton Hall Prep: Yes, SHP did lose a lot of talent from last year's team, but the top player does return for a team that fell a few games short of a another state title for this tradition-rich program. Bob Farrell is one of the top coaches in the state a elite guard Sterling Gibbs '11 is one of the top players.
16. Woodbury: This team surprised a lot of people last year and had a fantastic season, and with two players headed to Division I schools—something that is uncommon in Garden State non-private schools—this small public school will look to repeat that and do even better. Navy-bound Twin brothers Jared Roberts '10 and Isaiah Roberts '10 are the top dogs for Woodbury, which has a great shot at a state title.
17. University: A lot of talent is lost from last year's state champion squad, but University should still contend for yet another state crown and also for Newark supremacy. Combo forward Kazembe Abif '10 is going to be the go-to player for the Phoenix, and he will receive help from sharpshooting wing Sahid Dortch '10.
18. The Pennington School: The Red Raiders had a breakout season last year and the team's four best players are all back for another go around. Harold Spears '10, North Carolina State football-commit Dontae Johnson '10, Chandler Fraser-Pauls '11, and Anthony Gaffney '11 are the main men for Bernie Gurick's team who will challenge Trenton Catholic for the top spot in Mercer County.
19. St. Joseph's Metuchen: Although two important pieces from last year's team are gone, UPenn-bound guard Steve Rennard '10 is back and he has been the best player on the squad for the past two years, and this year should be no different. The combo guard will get help from Quenton DeCosey '12 and Robbie Ashamole '11 for this well-coached bunch.
20. St. Augustine's: A team with a rich tradition, the Hermits should improve upon an 08-09 season that was not up to its usual standards. A duo of talented juniors will the key players in point guard Isaiah Morton '11 and big man Charlie Monaghan '11, with the pair forming a nice inside-outside tandem.
Honorable Mentions (alphabetical order)
Cherry Hill West
Don Bosco Prep
Gill St. Bernard's
Middletown South
Montgomery
Pt. Pleasant Beach
Shabazz
Washington Township
The high school basketball season is officially underway, but most New Jersey teams have yet to play their first game. Thus, I decided that it would be a good time to post my preseason high school rankings for the state of New Jersey. There are a number of prep school teams in the state—those with fifth year players—that are ineligible for the rankings, such as Blair Academy, CJEOTO Academy, Hun School, Peddie School, Lawrenceville, NIA Prep, and Ocean Academy. Now, take a look at Northstar Basketball's New Jersey Preseason High School Top 20, with a brief synopsis of each team.
1. St. Patrick's: The #1 ranked team in the nation by Northstar Basketball, the Celtics are the heavy favorite to repeat as the NJSIAA Tournament of Champions winner behind the play Michael Gilchrist '11 and Duke-bound Kyrie Irving '10. Add in arguably the top coach in America in Kevin Boyle along with a deep and talented roster that includes UMBC-sginee Chase Plummer '10, Western Kentucky-commit Derrick Gordon '11, Julian Washburn '10, Kevin Boyle, J. '10 and more, this is clearly the top team in the Garden State.
2. St. Benedict's: My #4 ranked team in America, St. Benedict's is extremely deep and has a well-rounded roster that features a lot of seniors who can really play, but its juniors who are the team's top two players. Texas-commit Myck Kabongo '11 and Arizona-pledge Sidiki Johnson '11 will lead the way for Danny Hurley's team, while Temple-signee Aaron Brown '10, Mike Poole '10, JP Kambola '10, Blaise Mbargorba '11, and Rutgers-bound Gilvydas Biruta '10 will be amongst the other key pieces for the Gray Bees.
3. Paterson Catholic: Checking in at #34 in the nation, this is an experienced team that is coming off of a great season and lost just one key player, and he missed most of the season anyway. Seton Hall-signee Fuquan Edwin '10 is the main man for the Cougars, while Derrick Randall '11, Myles Mack '11, Kyle Anderson '12, Jayon James '10, and Jermaine Peart '10 are very talented as well a team that will settle for nothing less than a state title.
4. St. Anthony's: Just a notch behind Paterson Catholic at #39 in America, St. Anthony's is the most tradition-rich program in the state (ans possibly the country), but is coming off of a disappointing season. A quartet of seniors will lead the way for Bob Hurley, another coach who can say he is the best in America, in Oregon State-signee Devon Collier '10, Richmond-bound Derrick Williams '10, Maryland-commit Ashton Pankey '10, and St. Bonaventure-signee Eli Carter '10 along with Lucious "Lucky" Jones '11 and Jerome Frink '12.
5. St. Peter's Prep: The Marauders just sneaked into the top 100 nationally, coming in at #99, but this team should not be overlooked, and has a legitimate shot to make the TOC finals as well as challenge St. Anthony's for Jersey City supremacy. A big-time quartet of St. John's-signee Ron Roberts '10, Myles Davis '11, Keith Lumpkin '11, and Dallas Anglin '12 form a team that will surprise a lot of people.
6. Trenton Catholic: Another team for whom it is state title or bust, the Iron Mikes return their top four players from last year's team, in Drexel-signee Frantz Massenat '10, Khalid Lewis El '11, Markese Tucker '10, and Dondre Whitmore '10 and also have some other young talent. Brandon Taylor '12, Ronny Paden '12, and Chris Lewis '11 will provide depth for this guard-heavy team that is easily Mercer County's finest.
7. Camden Catholic: Yet another team that is led by a big-time quartet, this might be the surprise team in the state, though there is a distinct drop off after the top six. Lehigh-bound Anthony D'Orazio '10, Tim Crawford '10, Gerry Wixted '10, and Sherard Cadogan '10 are a talented inside-outside group of seniors who play smart basketball and will look to shock the state.
8. Life Center Academy: Despite being hit by a number of key losses, the squad's best player from last year's team—though he missed almost every game—does return in Syracuse-signee Dion Waiters '10. As goes Waiters goes LCA, though he will also get support from fellow senior guard Chris Thompson '10, who is headed to DII UMass-Lowell.
9. Cherokee: The state's top public school team features two talented guards along with two skilled big men and will be looking to win a state title that they fell just a few game short of last year. Vermont-signee Ryan McKeaney '10 and Phil Henry '10 are the post presences, while Willis Nicholson '10 and Christian Jordan '10 will round out the team from the perimeter.
10. Newark Eastside: Although this team is very young, it is easily one of the most talented squads in the state and will challenge Cherokee for the top public school spot on this list. Andre Flanagan '10 is the senior leader, but it is Tariq Carey '12 and Aaron Bodie '12 who will be the team's top two players, while Casim Chandler '12 and Will Joyce '13 are big-time players as well.
11. Plainfield: After a disappointing season last year, another one of the state's top public schools loses two of its top three players, but returns a top five baller in the state in Tyrone Johnson '11, who will be relied upon to carry the Cardinals. Other key members of the squad are fellow guards Mike Price '10 and Nathan Grant-DeWitt '11.
12. Paul VI: A team that may jump out and surprise some people this season after a lackluster showing last year, Paul VI is very well coached and is full of players who play the game the right way. Rob Poole '11 is the squad's top player, but Nick Moore '10 will be relied upon heavily as well.
13. Christian Brothers Academy: One of the best coached teams in the state, CBA is coming off of a fantastic season and will be aided by some players who will move up from last year's outstanding junior varsity squad. JP Koury '11 and Roy Mabrey '10 are the go-to guys for a team that was one win short of a state championship in 08-09.
14. Paterson Kennedy: Last year it was Paterson Eastside who was the public school from the Silk City that advanced to a state title game, and this year it may wall be Paterson Kennedy. A duo of senior guards lead the way in scorer Shondell Stewart '10 and big-time assist man Daquere Hayes '10.
15. Seton Hall Prep: Yes, SHP did lose a lot of talent from last year's team, but the top player does return for a team that fell a few games short of a another state title for this tradition-rich program. Bob Farrell is one of the top coaches in the state a elite guard Sterling Gibbs '11 is one of the top players.
16. Woodbury: This team surprised a lot of people last year and had a fantastic season, and with two players headed to Division I schools—something that is uncommon in Garden State non-private schools—this small public school will look to repeat that and do even better. Navy-bound Twin brothers Jared Roberts '10 and Isaiah Roberts '10 are the top dogs for Woodbury, which has a great shot at a state title.
17. University: A lot of talent is lost from last year's state champion squad, but University should still contend for yet another state crown and also for Newark supremacy. Combo forward Kazembe Abif '10 is going to be the go-to player for the Phoenix, and he will receive help from sharpshooting wing Sahid Dortch '10.
18. The Pennington School: The Red Raiders had a breakout season last year and the team's four best players are all back for another go around. Harold Spears '10, North Carolina State football-commit Dontae Johnson '10, Chandler Fraser-Pauls '11, and Anthony Gaffney '11 are the main men for Bernie Gurick's team who will challenge Trenton Catholic for the top spot in Mercer County.
19. St. Joseph's Metuchen: Although two important pieces from last year's team are gone, UPenn-bound guard Steve Rennard '10 is back and he has been the best player on the squad for the past two years, and this year should be no different. The combo guard will get help from Quenton DeCosey '12 and Robbie Ashamole '11 for this well-coached bunch.
20. St. Augustine's: A team with a rich tradition, the Hermits should improve upon an 08-09 season that was not up to its usual standards. A duo of talented juniors will the key players in point guard Isaiah Morton '11 and big man Charlie Monaghan '11, with the pair forming a nice inside-outside tandem.
Honorable Mentions (alphabetical order)
Cherry Hill West
Don Bosco Prep
Gill St. Bernard's
Middletown South
Montgomery
Pt. Pleasant Beach
Shabazz
Washington Township
Posted by northstarbball at 12/5/2009 11:04 PM 
Categories: Rankings, Class of 2012, Class of 2013, Class of 2010, Class of 2011
Tags: St. Anthony's Anthony Gaffney Newark basketball Sherard Cadogan Drexel Life Center Academy Isaiah Morton Devon Collier Middletown South Richmond Frantz Massenat Gerry Wixted Paul VI Roy Mabrey Plainfield Mike Poole UPenn Isaiah Roberts Tim Crawford Derrick Williams Kazembe Abif Paterson Kennedy St. Bonaventure Trenton Catholic Ryan McKeaney Jayon James Jerome Frink Rob Poole Eli Carter Western Kentucky Andre Flanagan Jermaine Peart Anthony D'Orazio Kyle Anderson St. Benedict's Ashton Pankey Christian Brothers Academy Christian Jordan Syracuse Sterling Gibbs Cherokee Peddie School Gilvydas Biruta Bob Farrell University St. John's Chase Plummer UMass-Lowell Lawrenceville UMBC Camden Catholic Oregon State Jared Roberts Newark Eastside Chris Thompson St. Patrick's Sidiki Johnson Ronny Paden Khalid Lewis El Navy Seton Hall Cherry Hill West New Jersey basketball Robbie Ashamole St. Augustine's Pt. Pleasant Beach Nick Moore Chris Lewis Will Joyce Bob Hurley Lehigh Shabazz Don Bosco Prep Arizona Tyrone Johnson Casim Chandler Dontae Johnson Temple Ron Roberts Derrick Gordon JP Koury Rutgers Danny Hurley CJEOTO Academy Quenton DeCosey Derrick Randall Washington Township Mike Price Vermont Aaron Brown Myles Mack Phil Henry Nathan Grant-DeWitt Kevin Boyle Jr. Dallas Anglin The Pennington School Aaron Bodie Myles Davis Mercer County basketball Shondell Stewart Steve Rennard Texas Blaise Mbargorba Fuquan Edwin Donde Whitmore Kyrie Irving Michael Gilchrist Lucious Lucky Jones Sahid Dortch Tariq Carey Seton Hall Prep Ocean Academy Dion Waiters Maryland Willis Nicholson St. Joseph's Metuchen Charlie Monaghan Markese Tucker Kevin Boyle Montgomery North Carolina State St. Peter's Prep Daquere Hayes Wodbury Julian Washburn Blair Academy Chandler Fraser-Pauls Paterson Catholic Brandon Taylor Bernie Gurick Myck Kabongo Hun School NIA Prep Duke Keith Lumpkin Harold Spears Gill St. Bernard's
Categories: Rankings, Class of 2012, Class of 2013, Class of 2010, Class of 2011
Tags: St. Anthony's Anthony Gaffney Newark basketball Sherard Cadogan Drexel Life Center Academy Isaiah Morton Devon Collier Middletown South Richmond Frantz Massenat Gerry Wixted Paul VI Roy Mabrey Plainfield Mike Poole UPenn Isaiah Roberts Tim Crawford Derrick Williams Kazembe Abif Paterson Kennedy St. Bonaventure Trenton Catholic Ryan McKeaney Jayon James Jerome Frink Rob Poole Eli Carter Western Kentucky Andre Flanagan Jermaine Peart Anthony D'Orazio Kyle Anderson St. Benedict's Ashton Pankey Christian Brothers Academy Christian Jordan Syracuse Sterling Gibbs Cherokee Peddie School Gilvydas Biruta Bob Farrell University St. John's Chase Plummer UMass-Lowell Lawrenceville UMBC Camden Catholic Oregon State Jared Roberts Newark Eastside Chris Thompson St. Patrick's Sidiki Johnson Ronny Paden Khalid Lewis El Navy Seton Hall Cherry Hill West New Jersey basketball Robbie Ashamole St. Augustine's Pt. Pleasant Beach Nick Moore Chris Lewis Will Joyce Bob Hurley Lehigh Shabazz Don Bosco Prep Arizona Tyrone Johnson Casim Chandler Dontae Johnson Temple Ron Roberts Derrick Gordon JP Koury Rutgers Danny Hurley CJEOTO Academy Quenton DeCosey Derrick Randall Washington Township Mike Price Vermont Aaron Brown Myles Mack Phil Henry Nathan Grant-DeWitt Kevin Boyle Jr. Dallas Anglin The Pennington School Aaron Bodie Myles Davis Mercer County basketball Shondell Stewart Steve Rennard Texas Blaise Mbargorba Fuquan Edwin Donde Whitmore Kyrie Irving Michael Gilchrist Lucious Lucky Jones Sahid Dortch Tariq Carey Seton Hall Prep Ocean Academy Dion Waiters Maryland Willis Nicholson St. Joseph's Metuchen Charlie Monaghan Markese Tucker Kevin Boyle Montgomery North Carolina State St. Peter's Prep Daquere Hayes Wodbury Julian Washburn Blair Academy Chandler Fraser-Pauls Paterson Catholic Brandon Taylor Bernie Gurick Myck Kabongo Hun School NIA Prep Duke Keith Lumpkin Harold Spears Gill St. Bernard's
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