Amboy Tech and Timothy Christian Emerge As Favorites to Win Division
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ—A year ago, the GMC Gold was still quite competitive despite a little bit of a drop off in talent from a year ago. Four teams in the division won at least 11 games while Timothy Christian and Wardlaw won 8 and 9 respectively.
Teams such as Timothy Christian, Dunellen, and Highland Park have been rebuilding, and are looking to improve this year. Others such as East Brunswick Tech, Piscataway Tech, South Amboy, and Wardlaw lost significant talent from the year. Amboy Tech and TCS appear the favorites to win the division this year.
The Patriots return four of its five starters from a year ago while Timothy Christian returns 7 key players from a year ago. Perth Amboy Tech has won at least a share of the division crown in each of the past two years. The division will go with 8 teams for the next two years as South River moves up to the Blue. Here is a look at the division in 2016-17:
2016-17 GMC Gold Division—Predicted Order of Finish
Last year’s record in parenthesis
- Perth Amboy Tech (17-10)
- Timothy Christian (8-19)
- Piscataway Tech (14-11)
- Highland Park (5-17)
- Wardlaw (9-14)
- Dunellen (4-21)
- South Amboy (11-15)
- East Brunswick Tech (17-9)
Some thoughts: There are fewer unknowns about this division as supposed to this time a year ago. GMC Hoops was able to see five of the eight teams in the division this past off-season. The only exceptions were Highland Park, Piscataway Tech, and Wardlaw.
East Brunswick Tech and South Amboy, which were favorites to win the division last year, took some hits to graduation, and will be looking to rebuild. Both the TIgers and Guvs competed in the Raritan Bay Summer League and South Amboy played at the MSC Fall League during the fall. Dunellen took some steps toward improvement this summer with a more competitive effort at the Bound Brook Summer League.
Piscataway Tech didn’t play in a summer league this past off-season. However, the Raiders played some scrimmages including one against Carteret. The Raiders also took a bit of a hit to graduation with the likes of Ali Austin, Khalil Smith, and Romelo Spencer graduation while German Pimentel transferred to New Brunswick.
Highland Park and Wardlaw didn’t compete in a summer league or fall league. However, Wardlaw did compete at the Rider Team Camp and performed well. Several of Highland Park’s players such as Nasir Boykins played football during the fall. The Owls have had only one .500, and only two double digit win seasons since 2004. Wardlaw won two more games last year than in 2014-15, but lost top player Garrett Racz to graduation.
Now, our division favorites have a good deal going for them. Despite the departure of head coach Chris Hobbs, the Tigers of Timothy Christian, entering the third year of its rebuilding program, has all but one starter from last year returning. In addition, the Tigers played in a fall league in addition to a summer league.
Timothy Christian played competitively in both the Bound Brook Summer League and the Monroe Sports Center Fall League. Meanwhile, Perth Amboy Tech, which only lost Kyrie Byers to graduation from last year’s starting five, played in the Rahway Summer League, and actually scored a two point victory (34-32) over eventual finalist Edison in a regular season contest.
Let’s take a closer look at each the teams:
2016-17 GMC Gold Division—A Detailed Look
Here is a more detailed look at each team in the Greater Middlesex Conference’s Gold Division for the upcoming 2016-17 season:
Perth Amboy Tech Patriots
Team: Perth Amboy Tech
Coach: John Meyer
Year: 8th
Career Coaching Record: 89-95
Coaching Record At School: 89-95
Last Year’s Overall Record: 17-10
Last Year’s Division Record: 13-3, 1st in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 14-6
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Won the GMC Gold Division outright. Reached the Quarterfinals of the Central Jersey Group 1 State Tournament.
Last Year’s JV Team: Finished 9-8; Didn’t play in the 2016 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Rahway Summer League
Returning Starters: Pedro Gonzalez (6’0” Sr. G), Kyle Gregory (5’9″ Sr. G), Javon Fisher (6’3” Sr. F/C) and Eric Negro (6’2” Sr. C).
Returning Reserves: Miguel Hernandez (5’11 Sr. G), Jeffrey Javier (5’11” Sr. G), Carlos Morla (6’0″ Sr. F/C), Kyle Simady (5’11” Jr. F/C), Yire Belliard (6’1″ So. G/F), and Mauricio Arias (5’11” So. G).
Key Losses From Last Season: Kyrie Byers (5’9″ G).
Key Newcomers: Aaron Batista (6’0″ Jr. F).
View the Perth Amboy Tech Schedule
View the Perth Amboy Tech Holiday Tournament Schedule
Outlook: For the second straight year, Perth Amboy Tech claimed the GMC Gold in 2015-16. The season before, it was only a share of the division. Last year, the Patriots won the division outright, and this coming season looks like a three-peat is very possible.
The Patriots have four of its five starters returning this season. The only loss from last year is Kyrie Byers, the point guard, which is still significant. However, Kyle Gregory will likely be running the point while Miguel Hernandez will likely move into the starting lineup.
Hernandez will fill some of the void left behind by Byers in terms of scoring. In the Rahway Summer League this past summer, Amboy Tech defeated Edison by two, 34-32, and Hernandez played a big part in a win over an Eagles squad that eventually reached the final of the playoffs there before losing to J.P. Stevens.
The Patriots will have a great combination of guard play and interior play. Gonzalez, Hernandez, and Kyle Gregory handle the ball well and can score from the perimeter. Meanwhile, Negro brings his football toughness from Perth Amboy during the fall while Fisher provides athleticism and shot blocking ability.
Amboy Tech also has a lot of experience returning on its bench. With the likes of Morla, Simady, Javier, Arias, and Belliard, the Patriots have a veteran group that provide a lot of depth. The Pats will open up the season with home games against South Amboy and Timothy Christian. Then, they will travel to play East Brunswick Tech and Highland Park before taking on St. Mary’s of Elizabeth in a very tough holiday tournament.
Timothy Christian Tigers
Team: Timothy Christian
Coach: Fran Decker
Year: 1st
Career Coaching Record: First Coaching Job
Coaching Record At School: First Year at the school
Last Year’s Overall Record: 8-19
Last Year’s Division Record: 6-10, 6th in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 7-15
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Qualified for the Non-Public B South State Tournament.
Last Year’s JV Team: Competed in the 2016 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament. Seeded 22nd in tourney, and lost to 11th seeded J.P. Stevens in the Preliminary Round.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Raritan Bay Summer League, Bound Brook Summer League, and the Monroe Sports Center Fall League.
Returning Starters: Will Clemmons (6’4” Sr. F), Robert Saydee (6’2” Jr. F), and Lucas Page (6’3” Sr. F). Josh Alcoriza (5’6” Sr. G), AJ Mhya (6’3” Sr. F),
Returning Reserves: Louis Roche (5’9″ Jr. G), and Pierce Kokosinski (6’2” Jr.. F).
Key Losses From Last Season: Tyler Mixson (5’10” Sr. G)
Key Newcomers: Not available at this time
View the Timothy Christian Season Schedule
View the Timothy Christian Holiday Tourney Schedule
Read about TCS new head coach Fran Decker
Outlook: Besides Perth Amboy Tech, the Timothy Christian Tigers are the other strong favorite to win the GMC Gold this season. TCS has a veteran group back led by the likes of junior Robert Saydee, Will Clemmons, and Lucas Page.
Although TCS lost the likes of Tyler Mixson from its lineup, it has plenty of firepower back along with experience and depth. Page and A.J. Myha bring a good deal of length along with GMC Hoops Most Improved Player in 2015-16, Pierce Kokosinski.
The Tigers have a new head coach in Fran Decker, who takes over for long time head coach, Chris Hobbs. Decker, a 2009 graduate of TCS, and former player that also played college ball at Houghton College in NY, was a varsity assistant last year.
Timothy Christian nearly tripled its win total a year ago, and qualified for the Central Jersey Group 1 State Playoffs. The Tigers put in good work during the off-season by playing in the Bound Brook Summer League and Monroe Sports Center Fall League.
During the summer at Bound Brook, TCS qualified for the playoffs, and gave top seeded Hunterdon Central all it could handle before losing. Then, in the fall, the Tigers scored an impressive win by defeating Group 4 school, Jackson Memorial of Ocean County.
The JV squad competed in the Raritan Bay Summer League. Timothy Christian will open the season at home against Piscataway Tech. Less than 24 hours later, the Tigers will be hosting South River in an afternoon matinee. TCS will play seven games before the new year.
Piscataway Tech Raiders
Team: Piscataway Tech
Coach: Lenny Reyes
Year: 2nd
Career Coaching Record: 69-99; 45-53 in 4 seasons at South Amboy and 10-35 in 2 seasons at Metuchen
Coaching Record At School: 14-11
Last Year’s Overall Record: 14-11
Last Year’s Division Record: 12-4, 2nd in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 12-6
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Defeated last year’s pre-season division favorite, East Brunswick Tech twice. Qualified for the Central Jersey Group I State Tournament.
Last Year’s JV Team: Didn’t play in the 2016 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: None: Played in several scrimmages during the summer including one against Carteret.
Returning Starters: Branden Barnes (6’3” Jr. F) and Daniel Peacock (6’1″ Jr. F)
Returning Reserves: Sergio Rodriguez (5’5″ So. G).
Key Losses From Last Season: Ali Austin (6’0” G), Khalil Smith (6’1” G/F), German Pimentel (6’3” Sr. F/C, transferred to New Brunswick), Romelo Spencer (6’0” G), and Gurbir Mukkar (5’10” G).
Key Newcomers: Brandon Santiago and Taquan Smith.
View the Piscataway Tech Schedule
View the Piscataway Tech Holiday Tournament Schedule
Outlook: For the second straight year, Piscataway Tech underwent some changes not only to graduation, but also to transfers. The Raiders not only lost the likes of standouts Ali Austin, Khalili Smith, and Romelo Spencer to graduation, but also forward German Pimentel, who transferred to New Brunswick.
The Raiders were unable to play in a summer or fall league during this off-season, but did manage to set up some scrimmages during the summer including one against Carteret, which helped the players returning to have some form of continuity. Returning for P-Way Tech this year is forward Branden Barnes, who will be the focal point of the offense, particularly on the inside. Daniel Peacock, who improved as the year progressed a season ago, also returns.
Piscataway Tech has been one of the top teams in the GMC Gold for the past several years since returning from a stay in the GMC Blue a few seasons ago. Lenny Reyes has also found a way to get his teams to compete wherever we went including South Amboy and Metuchen. Expect him to get his Raiders to exceed expectations. The Raiders open the season with four games over the first week.
After playing Timothy Christian on the road in the season opener, P-Way Tech travels to Dunellen, and then hosts South Amboy and East Brunswick Tech. Then, the Raiders wrap up 2016 with their second straight appearance in the Bound Brook Crusader Classic with an opening round contest against Spotswood.
Highland Park Owls
Team: Highland Park
Coach: Derek Nobles
Year: 11th
Career Coaching Record: 37-154
Coaching Record At School: 42-171
Last Year’s Overall Record: 5-17
Last Year’s Division Record: 3-13, 8th in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 3-15
Last Year’s Accomplishments: None
Last Year’s JV Team: Competed in the 2016 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament. Was the 21st seed and lost to 12th seeded Middlesex in the Preliminary Round.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: None
Returning Starters: Naeem Ghee (6’3″ Sr. F), Nasir Boykins (6’2” Sr. F), and Justin Simms (6’2” Sr. G).
Returning Reserves: Angel Holguin (5’8″ Sr. G) and Dylan Powell (5’10” Sr. G).
Key Losses From Last Season: Noah Pointer (6’0″ G), Matt Ambrosio (6’1 G), Piney Arp (5’6” G), Will Chen (5’9” G), and Rochelle Augustus (5’11” Sr. G–moved to California).
Key Newcomers: Dylan Boynton (5’7” Sr. G), Sam Murphy (6’2” Sr. F), and Matt Landis (5’10 Sr. G).
View the Highland Park Schedule
View Highland Park Holiday Tourney Schedule
Outlook: The Highland Park Owls are entering its third year in the GMC Gold, and are looking to make strides. The Owls did improve slightly from the year before with a 5-17 overall record including a 3-13 mark in division play after going 3-19 overall and 2-14 in the Gold in 2014-15.
Highland Park not only took a hit to graduation with the departures of the likes of Noah Pointer, Matt Ambrosio and Will Chen, but also lost Rochelle Augustus, who moved to California during the off-season. Nevertheless, the team is still looking to compete for the GMC Gold Division title. The Owls do have a good deal returning with Nasir Boykins, Naeem Ghee, and Justin Simms coming back. Simms, who was injured during football season, is healthy now.
The Owls didn’t compete in a summer league or a fall league again, but in a recent scrimmage with South Plainfield, they held their own. Highland Park will open up the season with a four game homestand against East Brunswick Tech, Wardlaw, Dunellen, and Perth Amboy Tech before playing in the Shello-Santy Tournament in Dunellen over the holidays.
Wardlaw-Hartridge Rams
Team: Wardlaw-Hartridge
Coach: Eugene Maxwell
Year: 4th
Career Coaching Record: 193-169
Coaching Record At School: 20-46
Last Year’s Overall Record: 9-14
Last Year’s Division Record: 5-11, 7th in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 5-12
Last Year’s Accomplishments: None
Last Year’s JV Team: Finished 4-12; Didn’t play in the 2016 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Played at the Rider Team Camp.
Returning Starters: Scott Hargrove (6’1” Sr. G), Raphael Genty (6’4” Sr. C), Jordan Rose (5’9” Sr. G), and Ryan Petella (5’11 So. G).
Returning Reserves: Amaan Bhojani (6’3” Sr. F) and Tom Borner du Cane (6’2″ Jr. F).
Key Losses From Last Season: Brendan O’Brien (6’2” F), Garrett Racz (6’2” F), and Alden Racz (6’2” G).
Key Newcomers: Shalon Wallace (6’0″ Jr. G/F) and Ayush Menon (6’3″ So. F).
View the Wardlaw-Hartridge Season Schedule
Outlook: The Rams made some strides forward and a few backward in 2015-16. While Wardlaw improved in overall record with a 9-14 mark, it won fewer games in the Gold Division (5-11) and in conference (5-12).
Wardlaw lost to South Amboy in the 2016 GMCT Play-In Round, and didn’t participate in the Non-Public B South State Tournament. However, the Rams did compete in the NJSIAA Prep B State Tourney, where it defeated Newark Academy in the opening round (65-59) and then lost to Princeton Day (63-44) in the semifinals.
Gone are the trio of forwards, Brendan O’Brien, Garrett Racz, and Alden Racz. However, the Rams do have a solid backcourt triumvirate returning with Scott Hargrove, Jordan Rose, and Ryan Petella. Raphael Genty also returns along with reserves Amman Bhojani and Tom Borner du Cane.
The JV squad was only 4-12 and didn’t participate in the 2016 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament. Over the summer, Wardlaw competed in the Rider Team Camp, and performed well in it. The Rams will open the season against Dunellen at home, and will also put in six games before the end of 2016. The Rams will host Roselle and Delaware Valley in its holiday tourney, and play a round robin format.
Dunellen Destroyers
Team: Dunellen
Coach: Howie Horowitz
Year: 2nd
Career Coaching Record: 4-21
Coaching Record At School: 4-21
Last Year’s Overall Record: 4-21
Last Year’s Division Record: 2-14, 9th in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 2-19
Last Year’s Accomplishments: None.
Last Year’s JV Team: Was 6-10; Didn’t play in the 2016 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Bound Brook Summer League
Returning Starters: Jibril Hagood-Henry (6’2” Sr., F) and Oscar Cabellero (5-10, Sr. G);
Returning Reserves: Angel Suarez (6’3″ So. C) and Nazir Martin (5’11” Jr. G)
Key Losses From Last Season: Anthony Buccino (5’9” Jr. PG) and Tyquan Fowler (5’9” G), Yianni Garris (5’11” F), Bowen Grasso (5’9” G), and Nazire Jordan (5’10” F).
Key Newcomers: Chris Rouland (6’4” Sr. G), Jason Vallejo (5’10” Sr. G), R.J. Mitchell (5’8” Jr. G), Isaiah Roberts (5’9” Jr. G), Noah Wenzel (5’6” So. G), Baraka Yabidi (6’1” So. C), Tyje Kelton (6’1” Fr. G/F)
View Dunellen’s Holiday Tourney Schedule
Outlook: After a down year last year with a 4-21 overall regular season record, the Dunellen Destroyers took some small steps forward in its rebuilding phase by being much more competitive at the Bound Brook Summer League over the summer.
The previous summer, Dunellen didn’t win a game at Bound Brook. In the summer of 2016, the Destroyers finished 2-6 with wins over Middlesex and Manville while also playing a very competitive in a 42-33 loss against a Bridgewater squad that is Group 4 on June 29th.
During the pre-season, the Destroyers competed in several scrimmages including one against South Plainfield that the Tigers dominated with a 29-4 start. Dunellen took some losses to graduation last year including one of the top scorers in the GMC last year, Tyquan Fowler.
In addition, last year’s point guard, Anthony Buccino, who played with the squad during the summer at Bound Brook is not on the roster. Buccino decided to go out for Winter Track instead. Returning this year is football standout, Jibril Hagood-Henry as well as Oscar Caballero, Nazir Martin, and Angel Suarez. Dunellen has plenty of size, so the key will be their guard play.
Junior R.J. MItchell and freshman Tyje Kelton are doing their best to fill the point guard role in the absence of Buccino. Each has embraced his role with the team. Both have played well in the scrimmages, and Kelton has a promising future with the Destroyers. The Junior Varsity was 6-10 on the season last year.
Like South Amboy, Dunellen will play a lot of games before 2016 is out. The Destroyers open on the road at Wardlaw, and then will take on Piscataway Tech, Highland Park, and Timothy Christian in the first week of the regular season before hosting Middlesex, Highland Park, and Hopatcong in its holiday tournament.
South Amboy Governors
Team: South Amboy
Coach: John Zammit
Year: 3rd
Career Coaching Record: 23-30
Coaching Record At School: 23-30
Last Year’s Overall Record: 11-15
Last Year’s Division Record: 9-7, 5th in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 10-10
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Qualified for Central Jersey Group I State Playoffs.
Last Year’s JV Team: Didn’t play in the 2016 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Raritan Bay Summer League and Monroe Sports Center Fall League.
Returning Starters: Alan Kazar (6’3” Jr. F/C), Justin Lewis (5’11” Jr. F), and Isaiah Munoz (5’10” Sr. G).
Returning Reserves: Bobby Nebus (6’3” Jr. F/C), Jordan Correa (Sr. F), and Vincent Burns (Sr. F)
Key Losses From Last Season: Kehare Ford (5’10” Sr. G now playing at Middlesex County College), Julian Munoz (6’0”, Jr. G/F), and Nick Reagan (5’11” Sr. F).
Key Newcomers: Kyle Gasiewski (So. G), John McCleery (So. F), and Steve McLaughlin (So. G)
View South Amboy’s Holiday Tourney Schedule
South Amboy, Sayreville, and Bishop Ahr Competing in Friends of South Amboy Benefit Showcase
Outlook: The Guvs started the 2015-16 campaign with a lot of promise as they gave GMCT Elite Eight squad Sayreville all it could handle before losing at the buzzer on a score by former teammate, Ryan O’Leary in the 4th annual Friends of South Amboy Benefit Showcase on opening weekend.
Unfortunately, South Amboy was unable to fulfill that promise with inconsistent play that was highlighted by a mid-season slump. The Guvs lost point guard Keahre Ford and off-guard Julian Munoz to graduation this past June. Ford is now playing at Middlesex County College.
The Governors played in the Raritan Bay Summer League during the summer, and then the Monroe Sports Center Fall League during the fall. GMC Hoops saw the Guvs in action twice at Raritan Bay including a double digit win over East Brunswick Tech, and a loss to the Academy of Urban Leadership from Perth Amboy.
During the fall, GMC Hoops saw the Guvs twice at the Monroe Sports Center, and both games ended up in double digit losses to Monroe and the Academy of Urban Leadership. Coach Zammit has several key players returning from last year in Justin Lewis, Alan Kazar, and Isaiah Munoz, but the rest of his squad is inexperienced. Most of the summer work was focused on getting the team into the gym to practice. The Guvs finished 0-8 at MSC in the fall.
South Amboy will open the season with a couple tough match-ups. By the start of the new year, the Governors will have played in seven games. First, the Guvs will play their season opener against Perth Amboy Tech followed by a game against Calvary Christian of Old Bridge in the nightcap of the Friends of South Amboy Benefit Showcase on December 17th.
East Brunswick Tech Tigers
Team: East Brunswick Tech
Coach: Jeff Staples
Year: 8th
Career Coaching Record: 74-92
Coaching Record At School: 74-92
Last Year’s Overall Record: 17-9
Last Year’s Division Record: 11-5, Tied for 3rd in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 12-7
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Won North Jersey Tech Holiday Tournament, Defeated Metuchen in a GMCT Play-In Round Game, and Qualified for Central Jersey Group II State Playoffs.
Last Year’s JV Team: 12-5; Seeded 23rd in the 2016 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament. Lost to 10th seeded Old Bridge in the Preliminary Round.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Raritan Bay Summer League.
Returning Starters: Enudy Jimenez-Hernandez (6’4” Sr. F/C).
Returning Reserves: Vincent Pellicane (5’7” Sr. G), A.J. Rambone (5’6” Sr. G), Dylan Stratton (5’11” Jr G), Justin Jezercak (6’2″ Sr. F), and Daniel Rachkelyuk (6’3″ Sr. F).
Key Losses From Last Season: Connor Stratton (6’0” Sr. G), Noah Westbrook (6’2” Sr. G/F), Silas Stanley (5’10” Sr. G), Lanier Smith (5’11” Sr. G), Josh Brody (5’9” Sr. G), and Mason Settembre (5’10” Sr. G).
Key Newcomers: Justyn Rivera (F), Nick Mistretta (G), Matt McGeachy (G), Sean Mejorada (G), Paadei Amposah (F), and Ron Jobin (C).
View the East Brunswick Tech Schedule
View East Brunswick Tech Holiday Tourney Schedule
Outlook: The Tigers took a big hit to graduation with the loss of six key players from last year’s squad. The toughest losses were Connor Stratton and Noah Westbrook, who were two of the top players in the GMC Gold a year ago.
In addition, East Brunswick Tech lost key contributors Silas Stanley, Lanier Smith, Josh Brody, and Mason Settembre. The Tigers do have big man, Enudy Jimenez-Hernandez back as well as reserves A.J. Rambone, Vincent Pellicane, and Dylan Stratton.
Last year’s JV squad took a step up with a 12-5 mark during the regular season. One of their victories was a single digit win over South River at EB Tech during the middle of the season. The Junior Tigers competed in the 2016 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament, where they were seeded 23rd, and lost to 10th seeded Old Bridge in the Preliminary Round.
Over the summer, the Tigers competed in the Raritan Bay Summer League. GMC Hoops saw the Tigers in action twice, and they were defeated handily by South Amboy and the Central Jersey Jayhawks, which comprised of players from Bishop Ahr and Sayreville. Dylan Stratton was a bright spot in both games for EB Tech.
A year ago, East Brunswick Tech was the favorite to win the division with a ton of players back from the year before. Unfortunately, the Tigers underachieved with a third place finish. One of the achilles heels for the Tigers a year ago was free throw shooting, which hurt them in close games.