Staff Report
TIgers Have Moments of Brilliance at Raritan Bay
EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ–For the first time in a while the Tigers added league play to summer workouts (held at Piscataway Tech due to construction at EB Tech). East Brunswick Tech participated in the Raritan Bay league and has some impressive victories over Gold Division rivals such as South River and South Amboy as well as out of division and non-conference foes such as Calvary Christian and a few others.
A great returnee for the Tigers is Connor Stratton. He was lost most of 2014-2015 to injury, and his leadership, ball-handling, play-making, IQ and defensive toughness were very much missed. Those qualities returned this summer and the 6-footer Stratton seems to be the best PG for the Tigers heading into 2015-16.
Noah Westbrook, who’s grown to 6-2 180, led the Tigers in scoring this summer with 14ppg. Playing mostly the “2” and “3” his shooting percentage increased from last winter, also his defense and rebounding have improved.
The Tigers seem to have some good size for the upcoming season, led by Enudy Jiminez (6-3 ½), newcomer Misael Ruiz (6-4) and Brandon Perez (6-1, 215). These three should man the PF and C positions for the upcoming season. Jiminez, only a junior, appears to have grown into quite a force rebounding and scoring in the paint. Ruiz, who only played 6 games with the jv after transferring late last year, is an extremely athletic player, who rebounds outside his body and is very creative putting offensive rebounds back up and in. Perez’s strength is his advantage, but he’s also quick and can score in bunches. He did well last year in some one-on-one matchup with Jordan Little of PA Tech.
Mason Settembre appears to have the early lead on the other wing spot. This top-notch shooter has also matured and grown. His handle has improved and so has his defense. And as evidenced last year at S. River, he can light up a scoreboard.
Josh Brody provided excellent play and depth at the guard positions with his ball handling, control and shooting form. He gives the Tigers a deep backcourt going into 2015-2016.
Absent from most of the summer were Lanier Smith and Silas Stanley. The return of their scoring and defense this winter will be welcome and will only make the Tigers stronger.
A few JVers from last year (Dylan Stratton, RJ Jobin and AJ Rambone) were key contributors and gained a lot of valuable experience this summer. At Raritan Bay, East Brunswick Tech benefited from a full lineup and started 5-0 against the likes of competition that included South River, South Amboy, and Timothy Christian as well as Calvary Christian of Old Bridge, Roselle and Carteret. The Tigers also played a varsity scrimmage against TCS this summer as well.
With a healthy Connor Stratton back along with a good nucleus returning such as Noah Westbrook, Enudy Jiminez, Josh Brody, Mason Settembre, Silas Stanley, and Lanier Smith and JV newcomers getting good experience this summer, East Brunswick Tech is looking to improve on last year’s state tourney berth with a run at the GMC Gold Division for the first time since 2009.