Former Bulldogs Assistant Coach Returns To Replace Rich Stoner
METUCHEN, NJ–On Thursday afternoon, GMC Hoops learned from Metuchen High School athletic director, John Cathcart, that there is a new head coach of Metuchen boys basketball. Jon Korellis, an assistant coach in the program from 2004 to 2007, is returning to become the head coach at MHS.
Korellis, who recently worked for the Hoop Group, had also been involved with the Towson University men’s basketball program under the direction of Pat Kennedy. At Towson, Korellis was originally the administrative assistant as well as the video coordinator before moving up to being the Coordinator of Operations.
A graduate of Monmouth University in 2005, Korellis played two years of varsity basketball at Middletown South, where he was the point guard. He then coached a season of freshman ball at his alma mater a year after graduating from the school leading the Little Eagles to a school record tying 17 victories. He then joined Rich Stoner’s staff, and was there to see the Bulldogs post their first winning season since 1988.
Not only did Metuchen break through with its first winning record in over 15 years, but they also reached the Central Jersey Group I Championship game for the first time since 1988 by defeating GMC Blue Division rival, South River in the semifinal round. The Bulldogs came up short against Florence of Burlington County in the Championship, but big things were on the horizon for Metuchen boys basketball.
Led by the likes of future University of Vermont, NBA D-League, and NBA standout, Marqus Blakely along with DeJuan Miller (third all-time leading scorer at MHS), Jon Brown, Lamar Nichols, Nick Storts, and Steve Thomas, the Bulldogs finished 22-3 overall on the season, won their first GMC Blue Division title since 1987, reached the GMCT Championship for the first time in 18 years, and returned to the CJ Group I Championship Game.
Korellis also coached on the AAU circuit as well with the Jersey Shoreshots, and has experience working with the Hoop Group at several different events including the West Virginia Jam Fest, Reebok Summer Classic, and the Eastern Invitational Basketball Clinic. Korellis takes over for Rich Stoner, who completed a very successful seven year run at the school with a record of 100-68. Stoner also was 52-39 in GMC Blue Division play including a 14-0 mark in 2005-06.
Over the seven year reign of Stoner at Metuchen, the Bulldogs qualified for the state tournament every year after not qualifying for over a decade. Metuchen reached the CJ Group I Championship twice, and made four CJ Group I final four appearances, five berths in the GMCT Round of 16, a GMCT Elite Eight berth, a GMCT Final Four berth, and an appearance in the GMCT Championship.
Stoner coached the likes of Marqus Blakely (Vermont and Houston Rockets), DeJuan Miller (Oklahoma), Evan Carberry (Vassar), Lamar Nichols, Steve Thomas, Nick Storts, Corey Preston, Cody Preston, Nick Callas, Vinnie Sardone, Mike Crusco, and Elijah Sellers along with many others.