by Alex Schwartz

My postseason rankings for the states of Pennsylvania and New York were released last week. Now it is time to reveal my rankings for the state of New Jersey, arguably the most talent rich state in the nation per capita.

The Garden State saw seven teams receive national attention throughout the season, including a pair of squads that were ranked in the top five nationally at time. One of those teams started the season as a consensus top three team in America. The high school basketball season in New Jersey was interesting, to say the least, but it was certainly an enjoyable one. Normally led by the North Jersey teams, it was South Jersey squads that stood out in the postseason (view the NJSIAA brackets Here).

Featuring elite five-star players in all four classes, that skill level in the state was quite high, many of whom are on the state's top teams. Although some of those elite teams are prep schools, those squads are not considered for the rankings. Prep schools are deemed those with fifth year players or post grads, including all of those in Prep A (Peddie School, Blair Academy, etc.) as well others such as NIA Prep and CJEOTO Academy.

In addition to the Fantastic 65 teams that are ranked, there are also another 40 teams that are recognized that did not quite make the cut. Now, have a look at the best teams from the state of New Jersey for the 2009-2010 season. Note that while postseason success is considered, it is not the only factor in the rankings.

New Jersey Postseason High School Fantastic 65
Rank. School, Postseason Outcome, Record
1. St. Benedict's, n/a, 20-1
2. St. Patrick's, ruled ineligible, 26-3
3. Trenton Catholic, Tournament of Champions champion, 28-3
4. Paterson Catholic, Non-Public North B sectional finalist, 28-1
5. St. Anthony's, Non-Public North B sectional champion, 27-3
6. Camden Catholic, Tournament of Champions finalist, 29-2
7. St. Peter's Prep, Non-Public North A sectional champion, 25-4
8. Life Center Academy, n/a, 14-6
9. Cherokee, Tournament of Champions semifinalist, 24-7
10. Plainfield, Group IV state finalist, 26-4
11. University, Tournament of Champions semifinalist, 28-5
12. Seton Hall Prep, Non-Public North A sectional finalist, 26-3
13. The Pennington School, Prep B state champion, 23-2
14. Shabazz, Group II state champion, 25-5
15. Mendham, Group III state champion, 26-4
16. St. Joseph's Metuchen, Non-Public South A sectional semifinalist, 23-5
17. Christian Brothers Academy,Non-Public South A sectional quarterfinalist, 23-4
18. Ridge, North II, Group IV sectional semifinalist, 23-6
19. Paterson Kennedy, North I, Group I sectional finalist, 20-8
20. Kingsway Regional, Group III state finalist, 27-3
21. Newark Eastside, North II, Group III sectional finalist, 19-7
22. NV Old Tappan, North I, Group III sectional champion
23. Atlantic Christian, n/a, 27-7
24. Paramus Catholic, Non-Public North A sectional semifinalist, 22-4
25. Collingswood, South, Group II sectional champion, 26-4
26. Woodbury, Group I state finalist, 25-6
27. Willingboro, Central, Group II sectional finalist, 25-4
28. Newark Central, North II, Group I sectional finalist, 20-7
29. Millburn, North II, Group III sectional finalist, 23-4
30. Montgomery, Central, Group IV champion, 24-6
31. Gill St. Bernard's, Non-Public North B sectional quarterfinalist, 19-7
32. Teaneck, North I, Group III sectional finalist, 21-7
33. Hillsborough, North II, Group IV sectional finalist, 20-6
34. East Orange, North I, Group IV sectional champion, 17-9
35. Shawnee, South, Group IV sectional finalist, 20-10
36. Lakewood, Central, Group III sectional champion, 20-9
37. St. Augustine's, Non-Public South A sectional finalist, 22-7
38. Pt. Pleasant Beach, South, Group I sectional finalist, 20-6
39. Pt. Pleasant Boro, South, Group III sectional finalist, 19-7
40. North Bergen, North I, Group IV sectional quarterfinalist, 22-5
41. Passiac, North I, Group IV sectional quarterfinalist, 19-7
42. Lenape, South, Group IV sectional semifinalist, 18-7
43. Pequannock, Group II state finalist, 18-12
44. Don Bosco Prep, Non-Public North A sectional semifinalist, 18-10
45. St. Joseph's Montvale, Non-Public North A sectional quarterfinalist, 21-4
46. Boonton, Central, North I, Group I sectional champion, 22-4
47. Union, North II, Group IV semifinalist, 17-9
48. Linden, North II, Group IV quarterfinalist, 18-7
49. Monroe, Central, Group IV sectional quarterfinalist, 23-5
50. Middletown South, Central, Group III sectional qualifier, 20-7
51. Freehold Boro, Central, Group III sectional semifinalist, 21-6
52. Bishop Eustace, Non-Public South A sectional semifinalist, 18-5
53. DePaul Catholic, Non-Public North A sectional quarterfinalist, 20-6
54. Bergen Catholic, Non-Public North A sectional quarterfinalist, 17-12
55. Lower Cape May, South, Group III sectional semifinalist, 19-4
56. Haddon Heights, South, Group II sectional finalist, 24-5
57. Manasquan, Central, Group II sectional semifinalist, 20-8
58. Delbarton, Non-Public North A sectional qualifier, 19-7
59. Monsignor Donovan, Non-Public South A sectional quarterfinalist, 18-5
60. Bayonne, North II, Group IV sectional quarterfinalist, 19-9
61. Rancocas Valley, Central, Group IV sectional quarterfinalist, 20-6
62. Pitman, South, Group I sectional semifinalist, 25-3
63. Passaic Valley, North I, Group III sectional semifinalist, 19-5
64. Atlantic City, South, Group IV sectional semifinalist, 18-9
65. Monmouth Regional, Central, Group III sectional quarterfinalist, 17-9

Honorable Mentions (alphabetical order)
Asbury Park, Central, Group I sectional champion, 16-10
Bishop Ahr, Non-Public North A sectional quarterfinalist, 16-4
Cardinal McCarrick, Non-Public South B sectional finalist, 17-11
Colts Neck, Central, Group IV semifinalist, 16-11
Cresskill, North I, Group I sectional finalist, 26-4
East Brunswick, Central, Group IV sectional quarterfinalist, 20-5
Elmwood Park, North I, Group II sectional semifinalist, 16-7
Ewing, Central, Group III quarterfinalist, 19-6
Garfield, North II, Group II sectional finalist, 19-11
Gloucester Catholic, Non-Public South B sectional semifinalist, 20-6
Hanover Park, North II, Group II sectional qualifier, 20-5
High Tech, North II, Group I sectional quarterfinalist, 18-8
Hopatcong, North I, Group II sectional quarterfinalist, 21-7
Indian Hills, North I, Group II sectional finalist, 21-7
Madison, North II, Group II sectional quarterfinalist, 21-4
Marist, Non-Public North B sectional qualifier, 16-9
Middle Township, South, Group II sectional quarterfinalist, 16-10
Montclair, North I, Group IV sectional semifinalist, 13-13
Montclair-Kimberley Academy, Non-Public North B sectional semifinalist, 22-6
Morristown-Beard, Non-Public North B sectional quarterfinalist, 19-8
Neptune, Central, Group III sectional finalist, 14-12
Newark Academy, Non-Public North B sectional qualifier, 16-11
North Brunswick, Central, Group IV sectional finalist, 15-12
Paul VI, Non-Public South A sectional quarterfinalist, 16-11
Paulsboro, South, Group I sectional quarterfinalist, 20-6
Pennsauken, Central, Group IV sectional qualifier, 13-13
Roselle Catholic, Non-Public North A sectional qualifier, 15-8
Rumson-Fair Haven, Central, Group II sectional semifinalist, 16-9
Sayreville, Central, Group IV sectional qualifier, 15-8
Science Park, North II, Group II sectional champion, 10-15
Somerville, North II, Group III sectional qualifier, 18-5
South Hunterdon, South, Group I sectional finalist, 18-8
Spotswood, Central, Group II sectional semifinalist, 19-6
Tenafly, North I, Group III sectional sectional quarterfinalist, 20-5
Trenton Central, Central, Group IV sectional qualifier, 19-5
Union City, North I, Group IV sectional sectional semifinalist, 17-10
Washington Township, South, Group IV sectional quarterfinalist, 17-10
Wayne Valley, North I, Group III sectional quarterfinalist, 17-10
West Milford, North I, Group III sectional semifinalist, 15-11
Winslow Township, South, Group IV sectional quarterfinalist, 17-8

Note- photo is of Myck Kabongo of St. Benedict's and is from http://www.maxpreps.com/national/national.htm; MaxPreps, NJHoops.com, NJHoops Newsletter, NJ.com, PhillyRef.com, and NJSIAA used as sources for information