St. Joseph’s Is The Team To Beat This Year in GMC Red
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ—Last season, the Greater Middlesex Conference’s Red Division was expected to be a wide open battle in boys basketball. St. Joseph’s put that all to rest with an unblemished 12-0 record. Nevertheless, there was still a great deal of parity in the division with St. Joseph’s, East Brunswick, Perth Amboy, and South Brunswick all reaching the GMCT Elite Eight, and the Falcons, Bears, and Panthers making it to the semifinals while North Brunswick reached the Central Jersey Group 4 quarterfinals in the state playoffs. This year, expect more of the same in terms of parity, but once again, St. Joseph’s will rise to the top as the division’s best team. Here is a look at the division for 2015-16:
2015-16 GMC Red Division—Predicted Order of Finish
Last year’s record in parenthesis
- St. Joseph’s (21-5)
- East Brunswick (16-8)
- South Brunswick (14-9)
- Old Bridge (10-13)
- Perth Amboy (14-10)
- North Brunswick (11-10)
- Piscataway (4-16)
Some thoughts: Like last year, St. Joseph’s will be head and shoulders above the rest of the division this year. With additions such as Tyus and Khalif Battle, Alonzo Frink, and Letrell West in addition to Bree Tyree and Branislav Vujadinovic and talent coming from a JV squad that finished 20-3, and reached the Championship Game of the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament, the Falcons are a heavy favorite to repeat as division champions. There will be plenty of parity among the rest of the division though. East Brunswick, South Brunswick, Old Bridge, Perth Amboy, and North Brunswick could finish anywhere from 2nd to 6th. Last year, there was a three-way tie for 2nd place between EB, SBHS, and Amboy.
2015-16 GMC Red Division—A Detailed Look
Here is a more detailed look at each team in the Greater Middlesex Conference’s Red Division for the upcoming 2015-16 season:
St. Joseph’s Falcons
Team: St. Joseph’s
Coach: Dave Turco
Year: 11th
Career Coaching Record: 400-113
Coaching Record At School: 237-51
Last Year’s Overall Record: 21-5
Last Year’s Division Record: 12-0, 1st in GMC Red Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 15-1
Last Year’s Accomplishments: GMC Red Division Champions, Reached GMCT Championship, Reached Non-Public A South Quarterfinals
Last Year’s JV Team: 20-3–Lost to South Brunswick (57-56) in the Championship of the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament.
Last Year’s Freshman Teams: Green Team: Reached 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tourney Round of 16 (Lost to North Brunswick, 52-25); White Team: Reached 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tourney Round of 16 (Lost to Bishop Ahr 54-50).
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Linden Team Camp, Linden Summer League, Colonia JV Summer League, and Immaculata Fall League
Returning Starters: Bree Tyree (6’1”, Sr. G), Branislav Vujadinovic (6’5”, Sr. G), Mikey Granda (5’8” Jr. G)
Returning Reserves: Bryce Layne (6’7″, Sr. F), Bryan Carley (6’9” Sr. C), Xavier Townes (6’3”, Jr. G), Malachi Walker (6’7”, Jr. C), Deladem Adadevoh (5’9” Sr. G), Jose Medina (6’2”, Sr. F), and Dexter Jackson (6’0” Jr. G).
Key Losses From Last Season: Marcus Ashamole (6’5” F, Now attending Hunter College), Brandon Goldy (6’1” G), Connor Klementowicz (6’2” Sr. G, Transferred to Gill St. Bernard’s), and Tony Gamboa (6’1” Jr. G, Transferred to Rutgers Prep).
Key Newcomers: Tyus Battle (6’6”, Sr. G, transferred in from Gill St. Bernard’s), Khalif Battle (6’2”, Fr. G), Alonzo Frink (6’8”, So. F, transferred in from St. Anthony), and Letrell West (6’2”, Jr. G, transferred in from Piscataway Tech).
View the St. Joseph’s Season Schedule
View St. Joseph’s Holiday Tourney Schedule
St. Joseph’s to Compete in 2016 Spalding Hoophall Classic
St. Joseph’s Playing in 2016 SFIC Festival at Kean University
St. Joseph’s Featured in 2015-16 GEICO ESPN High School Showcase
St. Joseph’s Competing in 2016 Primetime Shootout
Notable GMC Transfers and Coaching Changes
Outlook: Despite the changes at Joes last year, the Falcons, led by the duo of Bree Tyree and Branislav Vujadinovic, were still good enough to go undefeated in the GMC Red, and reach the GMCT Final. This year, you can expect St. Joseph’s to return to the top spot in the GMC, and reclaim the conference title for the 6th time in 7 years. The Falcons may be even good enough for a Non-Public A state title run, and it’s fourth Tournament of Champions appearance in 5 years come March.
Besides Tyree and Vujadinovic returning, the Falcons got some big additions during the off-season including Syracuse bound, Tyus Battle, who had been at Gill St. Bernard’s the previous three years. St. Joseph’s now also has Khaliff Battle, a freshman, and the younger brother of Tyus. Both Battle Brothers are the sons of former Colonia standout, Gary Battle, who led Colonia to a Central Jersey Group 3 championship in 1985. In addition to the Battles coming on board, the Falcons also have Alonzo Frink, the younger brother of former St. Anthony’s standout, Jerome Frink, who now plays college hoops at Central Connecticut. The younger Frink also played for the Friars last year. Former Piscataway Tech standout, Letrell West also transferred in this summer.
These ingredients are already added to the mix of Mississippi bound Tyree, Vujadinovic, junior Mikey Granda, seniors Bryce Layne, Jose Medina Jr., and Deladem Adadevoh, and Bryan Carley along with a JV squad led by the likes of Xavier Townes, Malachi Walker, and Dexter Jackson that finished second in the East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament. In the off-season, St. Joe’s played in the Linden Team Camp and Linden Summer League, and then went undefeated during the fall at Immaculata. In the 2015 Immaculata Fall League, the Falcons dominated by averaging 63.6 points per game, and outscoring opponents by a margin of 22.6 points per game. The only contest where the Falcons were tested was against Morristown (won 50-47) on October 18th (read article, view photos, slideshow, and highlights). St. Joseph’s opens the season at home against South Brunswick, and then plays Ramapo in the 2015 Hoop Group Tip-Off Classic at Caldwell University before competing in the Playaz Jingle Bells Jubilee in Paterson over the holidays.
East Brunswick Bears
Team: East Brunswick
Coach: Mark Motusesky
Year: 3rd
Career Coaching Record: 35-15
Coaching Record At School: 35-15
Last Year’s Overall Record: 16-8
Last Year’s Division Record: 7-5, Tied for Second In GMC Red
Last Year’s Conference Record: 11-6
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Reached GMCT Semifinals for 4th straight year.
Last Year’s JV Team: Reached Semifinals of 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament (lost to South Brunswick 42-38). View highlights, photos, and slideshow.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: Reached Championship of the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament (lost to North Brunswick 54-37).
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: East Brunswick Team Camp, Bridgewater-Raritan Summer League, and Immaculata Fall League.
Returning Starters: Matt Ross (5’11”, Sr. G), Mike Vick (6’1”, Sr. G), and Addis Ralph (6’6”, Sr. C.).
Returning Reserves: Justin Sewnarine (6’2”, Sr. G), Mike Brizuela (5’11”, Sr. G), and Ezra Levitt (6’0”, Jr. G).
Key Losses From Last Season: John McHenry (5’10” G), Alex Fitzgerald (6’2” F), and Tyler McNamara (6’1” F).
Key Newcomers: Jesse Perel (5’10” So. G), Dante Ralph (6’3” Jr. C), Joe Sampson (5’11”, So. G), Eric Schneider (5’10” So. G), Ryan Crocco (6’1”, So. F), Gil Wyman (6’2”, Jr. F), and Atiq Shaikh (5’11”, Sr. G).
View the East Brunswick Season Schedule
View the East Brunswick Holiday Tournament Schedule
East Brunswick to Compete in the Toms River Basketball Showcase
Outlook: Expect the Bears to be in a battle for 2nd place with South Brunswick, Old Bridge, and perhaps Perth Amboy and North Brunswick. The Bears reached the semifinals of the GMCT for the fourth straight year before losing to defending champion, Colonia. EB could be back there again this year.
East Brunswick did lose the likes of starters John McHenry and Alex Fitzgerald was well as forward Tyler McNamara from last year’s team, but the Bears still have their top three players from last season returning in Matt Ross, Mike Vick, and Addis Ralph, who improved tremendously in the latter portion of the season with solid games against Elizabeth, Sayreville in GMCT Elite Eight, and Rutgers Prep). In addition there are reserves such as Justin Sewnarine and Mike Brizuela coming back, and Donte Ralph coming up from the JV level.
Speaking of the JV Bears, there are some other talented players coming up from that squad including sophomores Jesse Perel and sharpshooter Joe Sampson. Besides Perel, the younger brother of recent graduate, Matt Perel, EB has more promising sophomore talent with Eric Schneider, Brandon Rosenthal, and Nas Zubiru.
As freshmen, this trio led East Brunswick to the finals of the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament before losing to North Brunswick. During the off-season, EB played in the East Brunswick Team Camp and Bridgewater-Raritan Summer League during the summer, and the Immaculata Fall League, where it finished 6-2. EB defeated Immaculata (54-48) on opening night of the fall league (read article, view photos, slideshow, and video). EB opens the season at home against North Brunswick, and then travels to Perth Amboy to take on the Panthers before competing in the Brunswick-Windsor Classic over the holidays at West Windsor-Plainsboro North HS.
South Brunswick Vikings
Team: South Brunswick
Coach: Joe Hoehman
Year: 9th (14th overall at SBHS)
Career Coaching Record: 96-92
Coaching Record At School: 96-92
Last Year’s Overall Record: 14-9
Last Year’s Division Record: 7-5, Tied for 2nd in GMC Red.
Last Year’s Conference Record: 9-8
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Reached GMCT Quarterfinals.
Last Year’s JV Team: 18-3 Won the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament Championship (defeated St. Joseph’s 57-56). Read notes, and view highlights, photos, and slideshow.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: Lost in Round of 16 in 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament (lost to Monroe).
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Montgomery Team Camp, Moody Park Summer League, Summer Primetime Shootout, Linden Fall League
Returning Starters: Eric Savage (6’3”, Sr. F), Mike Ugarte (6’0”, Jr. G), and Jaier Garrett (5’9” Sr. G).
Returning Reserves: Sean Nally (6’1”, Sr. G)
Key Losses From Last Season: Jack Engel (6’1” G Now at Stevens Tech), Terrence Wong (6’1” F), and TyJuan Dugger (6’3”, F).
Key Newcomers: Tavian Alford (6’0”, Jr. G/F), Chris James (5’11”, Jr. G), Danesh Thirukmaran (5’11” Jr. G), Greg Lee (5’11” Jr. G), Vic Huetz (6’1”, Jr. F), Ryan Moran (5’9” Jr. G), Anthony Blakey (6’0”, Jr. G), Shawn Bautista (5’10” Jr. G), Mehki Pahlana (Sr. F, 6’1”), Morgan Jones (5’8”, Jr. G), Jadon Porch (6’0”, So. G), and Kunal Thakral (6’0”, Jr. G, 6’0”).
View the South Brunswick season schedule
View the South Brunswick holiday tournament schedule
South Brunswick to Compete at the Toms River Basketball Showcase
South Brunswick Playing in the 2016 Coaches vs. Cancer Shootout at Montgomery HS
Outlook: South Brunswick reached the GMCT Quarterfinals last year before losing to Perth Amboy in a rubber match of their three game series in 2014-15. The Vikings did lose some key players from last season including Jack Engel Terrence Wong, Tyjuan Dugger, but they have plenty coming back led by senior forward, Eric Savage, who can be a point forward, shoot the perimeter shot, rebound, and most importantly, be the leader.
Besides Savage, the Vikes have fellow seniors Jaier Garrett, Sean Nally, and Isaiah Franklin. Garrett is coming off a solid season on the gridiron, where he scored two touchdowns in the Central Jersey Group 5 championship against Old Bridge last weekend. SBHS also has a talented junior class led by Mike Ugarte and also includes Tavian Alford, Chris James, Danesh Thirukmaran, Greg Lee, Ryan Moran, Vic Huetz, and Shawn Bautista.
Two years ago, this group of juniors reached the 2014 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tourney final before losing to St. Joseph’s-White. Last year as sophomores, the Vikings knocked off top seeded St. Joseph’s in the EB/GMC JV Championship. In addition, lacrosse standout, John Lanzalotto was a top freshman for SBHS last year too and may be on the roster as a sophomore. The South Brunswick varsity had the distinction of defeating East Brunswick twice during the season. In the off-season, South Brunswick played at the Montgomery Team Camp, Summer Primetime Shootout, Moody Park Summer League in Ewing, and the Linden Fall League.
At Moody Park, South Brunswick reached the quarterfinals before losing to defending Central Jersey Group 2 Champion, Bordentown of Burlington County (view photos, and highlights, photos, and highlights, slideshow), and wins over Cherry Hill West (view photos, and slideshow) and Neptune (view photos, and slideshow). In the fall, South Brunswick lost its two games covered by GMC Hoops at Linden to Rutgers Prep (view photos, and highlights, slideshow). South Brunswick opens the season at St. Joseph’s and then hosts Old Bridge before competing in the Brunswick-Windsor Classic over the holidays at West Windsor-Plainsboro North HS.
Old Bridge Knights
Team: Old Bridge
Coach: Jim Macomber
Year: 4th
Career Coaching Record: 35-39
Coaching Record At School: 35-39
Last Year’s Overall Record: 10-13
Last Year’s Division Record: 4-8, Tied for Fifth Place in GMC Red
Last Year’s Conference Record: 8-11
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Qualified for Central Jersey Group IV State Tournament for the third straight year.
Last Year’s JV Team: Reached Semifinals of 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament (lost to St. Joseph’s 55-40).
Last Year’s Freshmen Team: Seeded 12th. Lost to Woodbridge in Round of 16 in 2015 Perth Amboy Freshmen Tournament.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: East Brunswick Team Camp, Hamilton Park Summer League, Colonia JV Summer League, Hudson Catholic Fall League, Linden Fall League, and Hoop Group Headquarters Fall League (JV).
Returning Starters: Connor Romano (6’1” Sr. G), Stephen Strom (6’1” Sr. G), C.J. Santoro (5’8” Sr. G), Kyle Paris (6’3” Jr. F), and Will Osvald (6’1” Jr. F)
Returning Reserves: Zach Attianese (6’2”, Sr. F—played varsity two years ago).
Key Losses From Last Season: Dante Whipple (6’2, F, Now playing at Brookdale Community College, and Sean Olsen (5’8”, Sr. G).
Key Newcomers: Alston Amegbenyo (6’5”, Jr. F), Rich Calandrino (6’3″, Jr. G), Joe Papeo (6’1”, Jr. G), Brandon Millings (5’9”, Jr. G), and Jake Esposito (6’0” Sr. G).
View the Old Bridge season schedule
View the Old Bridge Holiday Tourney schedule
Old Bridge’s Strom and Paris Earn All Hudson Catholic Fall League Honors
Outlook: Old Bridge has begun to make strides at the lower levels over the past several years. The current group of seniors that includes: Connor Romano, Stephen Strom, and C.J. Santoro, won the 2013 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament. Two seasons ago, Old Bridge’s freshmen reached the Amboy Tourney’s Elite Eight. This year’s freshmen team didn’t get past the Round of 16, but over the summer, the group led by Connor Freel, won the Colonia JV Summer League by defeating Colonia in the semifinals (read game notes, and view photos and slideshow) and Perth Amboy (read game notes, and view photos and slideshow) in the championship.
Last year’s JV squad, led by the likes of Rich Calandrino, reached the Final Four of the 2015 EB/GMC JV Tournament before losing to St. Joseph’s (Read game notes, and view highlights, photos, and slideshow). The core varsity players returning: Romano, Strom, Santoro, Kyle Paris, and Will Osvald have put together a solid team game with a ton of perimeter shooting. The return of Zach Attianese, who sat out last year to focus on baseball, will provide more length and depth. Attianese was varsity teammates with Romano, Strom, and Santoro two years ago, and was also on the 2013 OBHS freshmen team that won the Amboy tourney.
The Knights have put in the work this off-season by playing at the EB Team Camp, Hamilton Park Summer League in Jersey City, where they reached the quarterfinals (lost to St. Anthony’s—view highlights, photos, and slideshow), and in the fall, the varsity played in two leagues: Hudson Catholic and Linden while the JV competed at the Hoop Group Headquarters. Old Bridge opens the season at home versus Perth Amboy and then faces South Brunswick on the road before competing in the Matawan Huskies Holiday Tourney over the holidays.
Perth Amboy Panthers
Team: Perth Amboy
Coach: Edwin Santana
Year: 8th
Career Coaching Record: 73-107
Coaching Record At School: 73-107
Last Year’s Overall Record: 14-10
Last Year’s Division Record: 7-5, Tied for 2nd Place in the GMC Red
Last Year’s Conference Record: 14-6
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Reached Quarterfinals of the GMCT and the North Jersey Section 2 Group 4 State Tournament.
Last Year’s JV Record: Seeded 12th in 2015 EB/GMC JV Tourney. Defeated Carteret in the Preliminary Round. Lost to Old Bridge in Round of 16.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: Reached Final Four of 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament (lost to EB in semis and Colonia in consolation)
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: East Brunswick Team Camp, Rahway Summer League, Colonia JV Summer League, Monroe Sports Center Fall League, and the Hoop Group Headquarters Fall League.
Returning Starters: Johnny Jones (5’10” Sr. G) and Ethon Diaz (6’1”, Sr. G)
Returning Reserves: Jesus Garcia, (6’7” Sr. F), Anderson Jerez (5’11, Sr. G/F), Luis Rivera (6’1”, Sr. G), and Victor Soto (6’1” Sr. G)
Key Losses From Last Season: Carlos Done (6’4” G), Nate Melendez (6’5” F, Playing at Middlesex County College), Marquis Irizarry (5’10” G), John Wahrmann (6’6” F), Jairol Robles (5’10” G), Eddie Griggs (6’1” G), and Marquan White (6’5”,F, Playing football at SUNY Cortland)
Key Newcomers: Jose Genao (6’5”, Jr. G/F), Joshua Cabezudo (5’11”, G), Joshua Nazario (5’9” G), and Gabriel Torres (6’3”, F)
View the Perth Amboy Season Schedule
View the Perth Amboy Holiday Tourney Schedule
Outlook: Look for the Panthers to make some noise again in the GMC Red and this year’s GMCT. Amboy has a good blend of youth and experience on this year squad although it doesn’t have quite the length it had last year. Perth Amboy took a bit of a hit to graduation with the loss of Carlos Done, Marquis Irizarry, Nate Melendez (Middlesex County College), John Wahrmann, and Eddie Griggs, but they still have a solid group returning led by guards Johnny Jones and Ethon Diaz.
In addition, the Panthers have a solid group coming up from the JV level including Luis Rivera, and big man, Jesus Garcia. Newcomers such as G/F Jose Genao, who is athletic and score both inside and from the perimeter, Anderson Jerez, and Gabriel Torres bring some depth. The future also looks bright at Amboy with a solid group of sophomores coming up including Adam Gornowicz, Dario Demoria, and Luis Bonilla that reached the semifinals of the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament before losing to East Brunswick. See game notes, highlights, photos, and slideshow from Amboy’s freshmen win over Bishop Ahr in the PA/GMC Frosh Quarterfinals. These youngsters also reached the finals of the Colonia JV Summer League before losing to Old Bridge.
The Panthers put in a good deal of work during the off-season by playing at the EB Team Camp and Rahway Summer League during the summer, and the Hoop Group Headquarters and Monroe Sports Center Fall Leagues during the fall. The Panthers finished in a four way tie for second place at MSC with a 6-2 record including wins over Spotswood (read game notes and view highlights) and Princeton Blue (read game notes, and article, and view highlights, photos, and slideshow). Perth Amboy opens the season on the road at Old Bridge and then hosts East Brunswick before competing in the Monroe Township Holiday Tournament over the holidays.
North Brunswick Raiders
Team: North Brunswick
Coach: Ed Breheney
Year: 27th
Career Coaching Record: 362-294
Coaching Record At School: 352-261
Last Year’s Overall Record: 11-10
Last Year’s Division Record: 4-8, Tied for Fifth Place in GMC Red
Last Year’s Conference Record: 8-9
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Reached the Central Jersey Group 4 Quarterfinals (lost to Colts Neck) and the GMCT Round of 16 (Lost to Carteret).
Last Year’s JV Team: Reached Elite Eight of the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament as a 20th seed (lost to Old Bridge).
Last Year’s Freshman Team: Won 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament (defeated East Brunswick 54-37 in final).
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: East Brunswick Team Camp, Rutgers Team Camp, and Monroe Sports Center Summer League.
Returning Starters: Pranay Bhandare (5’11” Sr. G) and Basit Ali-Khan (5’11” Sr. G)
Returning Reserves: Francis Omowole (5’10” Jr. G), Bryjon Smith (6’0” Sr. F), Elijah Hicks (6’0”, Sr. G), and Eric Reardon (6’1”, Sr. F)
Key Losses From Last Season: L.J. Williams (6’4” F), Eric Slade (6’2”, G), Joe Castellanos (6’4”, C), Kishan Patel (5’11”, G), Soloman Gayle (6’4”, C), Dante Anderson (6’1” G), Nate Facey (5’9”, G), Andrew Tsygan (5’9”, G), B.J. Pryor (6’4”, G), Tony Tan (6’5” C), and Austin Alfonso (6’4”, F).
Key Newcomers: Adryan Salazar (6’1” Jr. F), Jordan Salisbury (5’10” So. G), Marquise Stewart (6’3”, Jr., F), Eric Sanders (6’0”, Sr. G), Ricky Guevara (6’0”, Sr. G), Michael Tan (6’3”, Sr. F), Isaiah Hall (6’1”, Jr. G), Prithvi Rathaur (5’10”, Sr. G), and Josh Vick (6’1”, Jr. G)
View the North Brunswick Season Schedule
View the North Brunswick Holiday Tourney Schedule
North Brunswick Competing in the Toms River Basketball Showcase
Outlook: North Brunswick might be an interesting group this season. Although the Raiders lost a lot to graduation this past June including the likes of L.J. Williams, Kishan Patel, Eric Slade, and Soloman Gayle, they still have a good deal coming back including a talented senior backcourt tandem of Pranay Bhandare and Basit Khan, seniors in Eric Reardon, Bryjon Smith, Elijah Hicks, and Eric Sanders, and a solid junior guard in Francis Omowole, who played football this fall for NBTHS.
The Raiders also have a solid group of sophomores led by Jordan Salisbury, Maneet Batra, and Mwanza Fitzpatrick. As freshmen, this group won the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament by defeating Colonia in the semifinals and East Brunswick in the title game. Another player that might have a big impact on these year’s NBTHS boys basketball team is Adryan Salazar, who made a big splash over the summer at the 2015 Monroe Sports Center Summer League.
In the consolation game, Salazar came up big with 26 points to help the Raiders overcome an early deficit to defeat Monroe in overtime (Read game notes and view highlights, photos, and slideshow) on a buzzer beating three pointer by Bhandare. Keep in mind that Bhandare played JV as a freshmen while his teammates such as Khan, Smith, and Reardon reached the finals of the 2013 Perth Amboy Tournament before losing to Old Bridge (43-40). In the off-season, North Brunswick played at the EB Team Camp and Rutgers Team Camp as well as the MSC Summer League.
Piscataway Chiefs
Team: Piscataway
Coach: Antoine Allen
Year: 4th
Career Coaching Record: 70-113
Coaching Record At School: 23-45
Last Year’s Overall Record: 4-16
Last Year’s Division Record: 1-11, Seventh Place in the GMC Red
Last Year’s Conference Record: 3-13
Last Year’s Accomplishments: None
Last Year’s JV Team: Seeded 8th in 2015 EB/GMC JV Tourney. Defeated Montgomery in the Round of 16 and lost to St. Joseph’s in Quarterfinals.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: Top seed in 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament. Lost in Round of 16 to Perth Amboy (53-50).
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: East Brunswick Team Camp.
Returning Starters: D’Ondre Dent (6’1”, Jr. G) and Darius Gillon (6’3”, Sr. F).
Returning Reserves: Nazir James (5’9”, Jr. G).
Key Losses From Last Season: Donzell Cunningham, Dashaun Best-Crossen, and Danny Haus (5’11” Jr. G, not playing this season).
Key Newcomers: Mehki Morgan, Cameron Saintil, Darren Dowdy, Josiah Jones, Deandre Scott, Jordan Davidson, Mattias Arrindell, Chris Edmundo, Dahjuan Bennerman, and Keshawn Grant.
View the Piscataway Season Schedule
View the Piscataway Holiday Tournament Schedule
Outlook: Piscataway has been undergoing a rebuilding process over the past several seasons under 4th year head coach, Antoine Allen. The Chiefs have some key pieces back from last year’s team including D’Ondre Dent, Nazir James, and Darius Gillon. They also have a solid group coming up from the JV level that includes Mehki Morgan, Cameron Saintil, Deandre Scott, Mattias Arrindell, and Chris Edmundo. Last season, GMC Hoops happened to see the JV Chiefs in action against Perth Amboy in a game won by P-Way (68-62). View the article, game notes, highlights, photos, and slideshow from that contest.
P-Way has a talented junior class that was the top seed of the 2014 Perth Amboy Freshmen Tournament two years ago as 9th graders. That freshman team reached the Final Four before losing to South Brunswick. Last year, P-Way’s freshmen were again the top seed of the Frosh Tourney, but was upset by Perth Amboy in the Round of 16. So, good talent is coming up from the lower levels for the Chiefs. Piscataway did lose a couple key pieces from last year’s team in Donzell Cunningham, who was the MVP of the 2015 GMCBCA Senior All-Star Game at the end of last year, and Dashaun Best-Crossen while football standout, Danny Haus didn’t come out for basketball this season.
The Chiefs competed at the East Brunswick Team Camp over the summer, and recently scrimmaged 2015 North Jersey Section 2 Group 4 runner-up, Ridge. Although they had a tough time competing with the likes of big man, Max Mahoney, guard Danny Doolan, and the rest of the Red Devils, the Chiefs did have moments where they played well. The Chiefs open the season with a non-conference opponent in Scotch Plains-Fanwood, and will also play in the Joe Silver Holiday Tournament in Hillside in addition to the usually tough GMC Red schedule.