Wide Open Race Shaping Up in GMC White
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ—Last year, Colonia pulled away from the rest of the pack in the GMC White to not only win the division, but also claim its first GMCT title since 2006, and its first sectional crown (North Jersey Section 2 Group 3) since 2007. This year, the Pats look to repeat, but will face a tough challenge in a wide open race with many of the teams losing key pieces from last season, but bringing back a number of talented youngsters to help fill the void. In 2014-15, three teams from the GMC White (Colonia, Woodbridge, and Sayreville) all reached the GMCT Elite Eight. Here is a look at the division in 2015-16:
2015-16 GMC White Division—Predicted Order of Finish
Last year’s record in parenthesis
- Colonia (24-5)
- Woodbridge (18-9)
- Sayreville (12-14)
- J.P. Stevens (10-15)
- Monroe (14-10)
- South Plainfield (9-15)
- Edison (6-16)
- New Brunswick (1-18)
Some thoughts: Colonia, Woodbridge, Sayreville, J.P. Stevens, Monroe, South Plainfield, Edison, and New Brunswick all lost some talent from last year. Colonia lost 80 percent of its starting lineup. Woodbridge lost 60 percent of its starting five. Sayreville lost its two top scorers. Stevens lost two of its starting five. Monroe lost all but one of its starting five. South Plainfield just has two of its starters back. Edison lost three of its starters, and New Brunswick had three of its starters graduate plus another transferred along with a reserve.
However, all of these teams have some pieces returning as well as some new faces to make this season one of the more wide open in recent years. Colonia and Stevens have talented sophomore classes. Woodbridge has been developing good talent at the JV and freshmen levels for the past several years. Monroe has solid junior and sophomore classes and played hoops during the Spring, Summer, and Fall. Sayreville has a good group returning including a top transfer and also played throughout the off-season. South Plainfield has a nice nucleus with several reserves returning in addition to a couple of starters. Edison has a couple of starters, and a couple reserves back along with some promising youngsters, and New Brunswick has a number of players returning this season that are full of confidence after a successful football season
Any of the top five teams in the division can contend for the title while the other three may have enough experience back to improve and surprise.
2015-16 GMC White Division—A Detailed Look
Here is a more detailed look at each team in the Greater Middlesex Conference’s White Division for the upcoming 2015-16 season:
Colonia Patriots
Team: Colonia
Coach: Chris Chiera
Year: 10th
Career Coaching Record: 152-87
Coaching Record At School: 152-87
Last Year’s Overall Record: 24-5
Last Year’s Division Record: 14-0, 1st in GMC White Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 19-0
Last Year’s Accomplishments: GMC White Division Champions, Won GMCT Championship (defeated St. Joseph’s), and North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 Championship (defeated Chatham).
Last Year’s JV Team: Seeded 22nd in the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament. Lost to J.P. Stevens in the Preliminary Round.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: Reached the Final Four of the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament. Lost to North Brunswick in the semifinals (53-51 OT). Defeated Perth Amboy in Consolation. See game notes, highlights, photos, and slideshow from Colonia’s freshmen win over J.P. Stevens in the Elite Eight.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Linden Summer League and Colonia JV Summer League.
Returning Starters: Chase Barneys (5’11” Sr. PG)
Returning Reserves: Bryce Barneys (6’1” Sr. G) and Kolby Chapman (6’0” Sr. F).
Key Losses From Last Season: J.J. Corbett (6’0” G), Jodrell Thompson (6’1”, G/F, now playing at Kean University), Pat Naguib (6’5” C, now playing at William Paterson University), Brandon Haines (6’2” G/F), Trevor Bevliacqua (6’0” G), Desmond Jackson (6’0” G), and Chris Handville (6’1” G).
Key Newcomers: Christian Chapman, Frank Lehman, Tyler Santos, Eric Marcus, Michael Lacko, Karl Willimar, Cyril Yalarti, Michael Wilson, and Chris Panone..
View Colonia’s Holiday Tourney Schedule
Colonia Playing in Eric LeGrande Classic at Kean University
Colonia Competing Again in Tom Richel Memorial Showcase at Roselle Catholic
Outlook: The defending GMCT champion, Patriots have a look similar to the 2004-05 South Plainfield Tigers team that repeated. Key veteran players returning along with good young talent coming up. Colonia did take a bit of a hit to graduation with the losses of J.J. Corbett, Pat Naguib (William Paterson), Jodrell Thompson (Kean University), and Brandon Haines from the 2015 GMCT and North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 Championship teams. View game notes, article, highlights, photos, and slideshow from Colonia’s win over Woodbridge, and view highlights, photos, and slideshow from the Patriots win over Carteret in the GMCT Quarterfinals. However, the Patriots still have Chase Barneys, Bryce Barneys, and Kolby Chapman returning along with a talented sophomore class led by Christian Chapman, Frank Lehman, and Oliver French that reached the Final Four of the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Tournament before losing to eventual champion, North Brunswick in overtime.
There are also some promising juniors such as Eric Marcus. The Barneys brothers, who are coming off a solid football campaign in the fall, and Kolby Chapman bring tough defense and athleticism to the table. In the off-season, Colonia played in the Linden Summer League, and qualified for the playoffs there. The sophomore group got some work in this summer by playing in the Colonia JV Summer League, and reaching the semifinal round of the playoffs.
Colonia opens the season with two tough road games at Woodbridge and Sayreville before competing in the LeGrande-Haley Holiday Tournament at CHS, which includes another game against Woodbridge. The Patriots are also playing in the Eric LeGrande Classic at Kean University on January 17th and the Tom Richel Memorial Showcase at Roselle Catholic on February 6th.
Woodbridge Barrons
Team: Woodbridge
Coach: Matt Gigliello
Year: 4th
Career Coaching Record: 53-26
Coaching Record At School: 53-26
Last Year’s Overall Record: 18-9
Last Year’s Division Record: 11-3, 2nd in GMC White Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 15-6
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Reached GMCT Elite Eight for the third straight season. Qualified for the North Jersey Section 2 Group 4 State Playoffs
Last Year’s JV Team: Seeded 10th in the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament. Defeated Bishop Ahr in the Preliminary Round and lost to Ridge in the Round of 16.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: Seeded 5th in the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament. Defeated Old Bridge in the Round of 16. Lost to East Brunswick in the Elite Eight.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Linden Summer League
Returning Starters: Quassim Glover (6’2” Jr. G) and Keshaun Henry (5’9” Jr. G)
Returning Reserves: Harry Rutkowski (6’4” Jr. F).
Key Losses From Last Season: Zahneer Shuler (6’1” G, playing football at Lackawanna), Zaire Robinson (6’3” G, now playing at Raritan Valley Community College), Charles Cole (6’5” F), Tyler Smith (5’11” G), and Allan Thermitus (6’4” F).
Key Newcomers: Quran Robinson (6’0” Jr. G), Denali Byrd (6’3” Jr. F), Hura Blaine (6’2” Jr. G), Curtis Nesbit (5’9” So. G), Trajon Pritchard (6’2” Jr. F), Travis Kukoly (6’2” Sr. F), Khalil Brown (5’9” So. G), Kimari Piersol (6’0” So. G), T.J. Simmons (6’2” Sr. F), Terrel Smith (6’3” So. F), and Kesean Glover (5’10” Fr. G).
View the Woodbridge Season Schedule
View Woodbridge’s Holiday Tourney Schedule
Woodbridge Competing in Eric LeGrande Classic at Kean University
Outlook: Woodbridge looks to contend in the GMC White with a solid junior class led by two year varsity players, and football standouts, Quassim Glover and Keshaun Henry. Glover was the hero in the dramatic win at home over Sayreville last season when he sank a thirty-five footer with no time left to defeat the Bombers. View game notes, article, highlights, photos, and slideshow from this memorable contest. The Barrons rode a wave of momentum after that to get past Perth Amboy Tech in the 2015 GMCT Round of 16 (View game notes, highlights, photos, and slideshow from this contest), and reach the Elite Eight for the third straight year under head coach, Matt Gigliello.
WHS did lose a couple of key players in Zahneer Shuler and Zaire Robinson (Raritan Valley Community College), but it has been cultivating good talent at the lower levels for the past several years. Two seasons ago, the JV reached the quarterfinals of the 2014 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tourney while the freshmen reached the semifinals of the 2014 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament. Last year, the Woodbridge freshmen reached the Elite Eight round of the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament.
Over the summer, Woodbridge competed in the Linden Summer League. The Barrons will be tested right away with an opening day match-up against Colonia, and then play the Patriots again over the holidays in the LeGrande-Haley Holiday Tournament at CHS. Woodbridge will also face A.L. Johnson in the Eric LeGrande Classic at Kean University on January 17th.
Sayreville Bombers
Team: Sayreville
Coach: John Wojcik
Year: 6th
Career Coaching Record: 67-63
Coaching Record At School: 67-63
Last Year’s Overall Record: 12-14
Last Year’s Division Record: 7-7, 4th in GMC White Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 9-10
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Reached GMCT Elite Eight. Upset 3rd ranked Cardinal McCarrick in GMCT Round of 16 (View game notes and highlights). Qualified for Central Jersey Group 4 State Tournament.
Last Year’s JV Team: Seeded 16th in the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament. Lost to Immaculata in the Preliminary Round.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: Seeded 13th in the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament. Lost to East Brunswick in the Round of 16.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Kean Spring League, East Brunswick Team Camp, Rahway Summer League, and Hoop Group Headquarters Fall League.
Returning Starters: Jahsim Floyd (6’8” Jr. F) and Jayson DeMild (6’2” Jr. G)
Returning Reserves: Zach Alessi (6’4” Sr. F), Derek Astarita (5’10” So. G), Mitchell Strandberg (6’0” Sr. G), and Andrew Gay (5’11” Sr. G).
Key Losses From Last Season: Jehyve Floyd (6’8” F, now playing at Holy Cross), Mike Valentin (6’0” G, now playing at Middlesex County College), Justin Santos (5’9” G), Dan Gomes (6’2” G), and Christopher Tookes (5’10” G).
Key Newcomers: Ryan O’Leary (6’4” Jr. G, transfer from South Amboy), Henny Manutes (6’1” Jr. G), Opeluwa Olaloko (6’4” Jr. F), Elijah Clark (6’3” So. G), Andrew Willie (6’2” Jr. G), Michael Gray (5’10” Jr. G).
View Sayreville’s Season Schedule
View Sayreville’s Holiday Tourney Schedule
South Amboy, Sayreville, and Perth Amboy Tech Competing in Friends of South Amboy Benefit Showcase
Outlook: Sayreville was another White Division team that put in a ton of work this off-season. First, the Bombers played in the Kean Spring League. During the summer, Sayreville competed in the East Brunswick Team Camp, and Rahway Summer League, where it reached the semifinal round. Then, in the fall, the Bombers competed at the 2015 Hoop Group Headquarters Fall League.
Sayreville lost a couple of key players from last year’s GMCT Elite Eight team (View highlights, photos, and slideshow from GMCT Quarterfinal game vs. East Brunswick) that knocked off 3rd seeded Cardinal McCarrick in South Amboy during the Round of 16 including: Jehyve Floyd (Holy Cross) and Mike Valentin (Middlesex County College). The Bombers do have Jahsim Floyd, the younger brother of Jehyve returning, and he turned in a great spring at Kean followed by a solid summer at Rahway. In the fall, the younger Floyd opted to play football.
Sayreville has a new face in Ryan O’Leary, a transfer from South Amboy, who had a great sophomore campaign for first year head coach, John Zammit and the Guvs, which came on strong at the end of the season. O’Leary brings more scoring as well as some length and athleticism. Others coming back from last year’s team include: Derek Astarita, Zach Alessi, and Jayson DeMild along with newcomers Mitchell Strandberg, Andrew Gay, and Henny Manutes. The group that included Astarita, Alessi, Strandberg, Guy, and Manutes had to figure out a way to compete without Floyd at the Hoop Group Headquarters Fall League, which may turn out to be a great help during the course of the season.
Strandberg can be a great scorer. He shoots the ball well, and attacks the basket. Manutes has improved his shooting during the course of the off-season, but the best part of his game might be his rebounding. The Bombers open the season with three games including the season opener at home against Edison, a contest against South Amboy in the Friends of South Amboy benefit, and another home game against Colonia. Over the holidays, the Bombers will compete in the Albert Martin Buc Classic in Red Bank.
J.P. Stevens Hawks
Team: J.P. Stevens
Coach: Robert Jones
Year: 7th
Career Coaching Record: 34-108
Coaching Record At School: 34-108
Last Year’s Overall Record: 10-15
Last Year’s Division Record: 6-8, 5th in GMC White Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 9-12
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Qualified for North Jersey Section 2 Group 4 State Tournament. Upset Woodbridge and Old Bridge.
Last Year’s JV Team: Seeded 11th in the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament. Defeated Colonia in the Preliminary Round and lost to Monroe in the Round of 16.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: Reached Quarterfinals of the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament. (Lost to Colonia 45-40).
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Rahway Summer League, Kean Ironman Challenge I, and Kean Ironman Challenge II.
Returning Starters: Jay’von Blacknall (5’9” Sr. G), Alex Corrigan (5’11” Sr. G), and Mike Lionikis (6’3” Sr. G)
Returning Reserves: Mike Katims (5’10” Sr. G), Shivam Patel (6’2” Sr. F), and Rishav Ghosh (6’1” Jr. F).
Key Losses From Last Season: Nick Dooley (6’2” F) and Francois Ballou (6’5” F).
Key Newcomers: Javon Scott (6’4” Jr. F), Jesse Shiluli (6’0” So. G), Brad Dervishaj (6’6” So. F), Dylan Zamora (6’1” So. G), Tyrese Conover (5’5” So. G), Rohan Rao (5’11” So. G), and Frank Diserio (5’11” So. F).
View the J.P. Stevens Season Schedule
View J.P. Stevens Holiday Tourney Schedule
Outlook: J.P. Stevens may be another team to watch in the GMC White this year. The Hawks showed signs of improvement in 2014-15 with a 10-15 season that included upset wins over Woodbridge and Old Bridge as well as tough losses to Bishop Ahr in the GMCT Preliminary Round (View game notes, highlights, photos, and slideshow), and Perth Amboy in the opening round of the North Jersey Section 2 Group 4 State Playoffs. Stevens lost to key players in Nick Dooley and Francois Ballou to graduation in June, but have a good blend of veterans and youngsters.
Leading the veterans are Alex Corrigan, Mike Lionikis, Jay’von Blacknall, and Mike Katims. The youngsters are a group of sophomores led by the likes of Brian Beiter and Jesse Shiulili. Last year as freshmen, Stevens current sophomore class reached the quarterfinals of the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC JV Tournament before losing to second seeded Colonia. Over the summer, J.P. Stevens played in both Ironman Challenges as well as the Rahway Summer League. View game notes, highlights, photos, and slideshow from action in J.P. Stevens win over Mendham in a consolation at the Kean Ironman Challenge I.
The Hawks won the Rahway Summer League Championship by first avenging a tough regular season loss to Sayreville with a victory over the Bombers in the semifinals, and then defeating Rahway in the championship (View game notes, photos, and slideshow). Within 24 hours, Stevens was playing again in the 2nd Ironman Challenge of the Summer, where it played another three games including a consolation loss to Lakewood. Coupled with a regular season game against Scotch Plains in the final day of the regular season, the Hawks played six games in 72 hours. Stevens opens the season on the road at Monroe before hosting Woodbridge, and then playing in the Anthony J. Cotoia Tourney in South Plainfield over the holidays.
Monroe Falcons
Team: Monroe
Coach: Nick Puleio
Year: 6th
Career Coaching Record: 65-63
Coaching Record At School: 65-63
Last Year’s Overall Record: 14-10
Last Year’s Division Record: 9-5, 3rd in GMC White Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 11-7
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Won Monroe Township Holiday Tournament. Qualified for Central Jersey Group 4 State Tournament.
Last Year’s JV Team: Seeded 6th in the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament. Defeated J.P. Stevens in the Round of 16. Lost to East Brunswick in Elite Eight.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: Seeded 3rd in the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament. Reached Quarterfinals (lost to North Brunswick, 54-47).
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: MJBL Spring League, MJBL Summer League, MSC Summer League, and MSC Fall League.
Returning Starters: Eddie Pinto (6’5” Sr. F)
Returning Reserves: Kenny Sysyn (6’2”, Sr. F) and Peter Nesti (5’11” Jr. G)
Key Losses From Last Season: Matt Cocorikis (6’3” G playing golf at Eastern University), Tyler Salzer (6’3” G/F), David Okoh (6’4” C), Rico Viani (5’11” Sr. G), Adam Darwish (6’1” F), Mike Ferrero (6’1” F), Alex Infosino (6’1” G).
Key Newcomers: A.K. Patel (6’1” Jr. G), Eric Johnson (6’3” So. F), Luke Patel (5’11” So. G), Fritz Frage (5’10” So. G), Mike Kides (6’2” F. G), Matt Hoyt (5’11” So. G), Jaroni Coats (6’6” Jr. C), Andrew Bruno (6’0”, Jr. G), and Mike Manhary (6’1” Sr. G/F).
View the Monroe Season Schedule
View Monroe’s Holiday Tourney Schedule
Outlook: Monroe could be an interesting team to watch in the GMC White this year because of a nice blend of veterans returning and some promising young players as well. The Falcons lost several key players from last year’s team including Matt Cocorikis, Tyler Salzer, and David Okoh. However, the Purple Birds have forward Eddie Pinto returning this year along with Kenny Sysyn, a group of juniors led by Jaroni Coats, Peter Nesti, and A.K. Patel, and a group of sophomores led by Eric Johnson, Luke Patel, Kevin Shea, and Fritz Frage.
Eddie Pinto is only one of several seniors on this year’s squad, but he is an invaluable piece not only in terms of his scoring, but also in terms of how he embraces the team concept. Pinto has good length, can shoot the three, score inside, tries to get everyone involved, and is unselfish. Johnson, Luke Patel, and Kevin Shea played well during the off-season. A newcomer that will be one to watch not only during the course of this season, but for many to come is freshmen Mike Kides, who can shoot the lights out.
During the spring, Kides led the Monroe to the Garden State Middle School Championship at the Hoop Group Headquarters. The Falcons won in an 8 team tournament by defeating Thomas Jefferson (45-38) in the opening round, Mountz (56-22) in the semifinals, and Hackensack (49-44) in the Championship. Kides was named tourney MVP. Monroe put in a lot of work during the off-season, playing in the MJBL Spring League, MSC Summer League, MJBL Summer League, and MSC Fall League at the Monroe Sports Center.
In the MJBL Spring League, Monroe reached the finals before losing to the Ocean Renegades. During the summer, the Falcons qualified as one of the four playoff teams in the 2015 MSC Summer League, but lost in the semifinals to Spotswood, and then lost a heartbreaker in overtime to North Brunswick in the consolation. View game notes, highlights, photos, and slideshow from this great contest. Later in the summer, Monroe went 9-1 overall in the MJBL Summer League Championship including a win over Mac-N-Cheese (view game notes, highlights, photos, and slideshow) in the semifinals and a victory over CJ Hawks 9B in the Championship (view game notes, highlights, photos, and slideshow). In the fall, Monroe went 6-2 at the MSC Fall League, and finished in a four way tie for second place with fellow GMC schools, Perth Amboy and Spotswood as well as Hopewell Valley.
The Falcons open the season with home games versus J.P. Stevens and South Plainfield before hosting its own Christmas tournament over the holidays.
South Plainfield Tigers
Team: South Plainfield
Coach: Matt Connell
Year: 3rd
Career Coaching Record: 15-33
Coaching Record At School: 15-33
Last Year’s Overall Record: 9-15
Last Year’s Division Record: 4-10, Tied for 6th in GMC White Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 7-14
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Upset Sayreville (View game notes, article, analysis, highlights, photos, and slideshow).
Last Year’s JV Team: Seeded 15th in the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament. Defeated Spotswood in the Preliminary Round. Lost to South Brunswick in the Round of 16.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: Didn’t play in the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Rahway Summer League and Hoop Group Elite Team Camp
Returning Starters: Lamont Williams (6’1” Sr. G) and Jason Lee (6’1” Sr. F)
Returning Reserves: Isaiah Norman (6’3” Sr. F), Will McLaughlin (5’10” Jr. G), Nate Mensah (6’1” Sr. F), Jake Alba (5’8” Sr. G), and Nick Polizzano (6’1” Sr. G/F).
Key Losses From Last Season: Jordan Hankerson (6’3” G, now playing at Alvernia), Devon Dabel (5’10” G), Kevin Jacobs (6’0” G), Jason Worthem (6’1” F), Ephraim Johnson (5’9” G), and Chris Smith (6’0” G).
Key Newcomers: Jalili Palms (5’10” So. G) and DeShai Smith (6’3” Jr. F).
View the South Plainfield Season Schedule
View South Plainfield’s Holiday Tourney Schedule
Outlook: The Tigers did lose a bit last season with the graduation of Jordan Hankerson (Alvernia University), Devon Dabel, Kevin Jacobs, and Jason Worthem. However, the Tigers still have Lamont Williams returning along with Jason Lee as well as reserves Isaiah Norman, Will McLaughlin, Jake Alba (committed to Stony Brook for baseball), Nate Mensah, and Nick Polizzano.
Last year, the Tigers went 9-15 overall including a 4-10 mark in divisional play despite moving up to the GMC White after being in the GMC Blue for two seasons. South Plainfield’s big win of the season was on the first weekend in the new year at Sayreville. Over the summer, the Tigers competed at the Rahway Summer League, and also played in the Hoop Group Elite Team Camp at Albright College in Reading, Pennsylvania. GMC Hoops saw the Tigers twice at Rahway against Roselle Park and Sayreville, and the lost both games.
Unlike last year when SPHS played in the Immaculata Fall League, the Tigers didn’t play during the fall because a number of players including gridiron standout, Jason Lee, played either football or soccer. GMC Hoops did recently see the Tigers in a scrimmage against Rahway. In the only quarter covered, SPHS lost to Rahway 14-11. The Tigers trailed 8-3 with under 6 minutes to go before the reserves led by Alba, Mensah, and Polizzano, put together an 8-2 run in a 3:15 span for an 11-10 lead. The Tigers open the season at home against New Brunswick before taking on Monroe on December 22nd, and Perth Amboy Charter in the opening round of the Cotoia Tourney on December 26th.
Edison Eagles
Team: Edison
Coach: Charlie Mohr
Year: 13th
Career Coaching Record: 81-187
Coaching Record At School: 81-187
Last Year’s Overall Record: 6-16
Last Year’s Division Record: 4-10, Tied for 6th in GMC White Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 5-14
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Upset Monroe. Defeated Wardlaw in 2015 GMCT Play-In Round (view game notes, highlights, photos, and slideshow).
Last Year’s JV Team: Seeded 13th in the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament. Lost to North Brunswick in Preliminary Round.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: Seeded 18th in the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament. Defeated J.F. Kennedy in the Preliminary Round. Lost to Colonia in Round of 16.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: East Brunswick Team Camp and Rahway Summer League
Returning Starters: Brandon Radd (5’7” Sr. G) and John Zanfordino (6’1” Sr. F)
Returning Reserves: Justin Turner (5’9” Jr. G), Alpha Tarawally (6’0” Sr. F), and Kenny Guido (5’10” Sr. G)
Key Losses From Last Season: Al Newcombe (6’1” G), Juston Payne (6’1” G), and Ish Treadwell (6’4” C).
Key Newcomers: Haaziq Daniels (6’0” So. G), Tahj Campbell (5’9” Jr. G), Visshal Suresh Kannan (6’4” Sr. F), Joe Cudakiewicz (5’9” Jr. G), Cecil Bonds (6’2” Jr. F), Moiz Manzoor (6’2” Jr. F), and Dominic Kurtyan (5’9” Jr. G).
View the Edison Season Schedule
View Edison’s Holiday Tourney Schedule
Outlook: Edison looks to be more competitive in the GMC White Division in 2015-16. The Edison Eagles have a solid trio returning in seniors Brandon Radd and John Zanfordino along with junior Justin Turner. Radd is a nice little playmaker, who can also make the big shot like he did a couple years ago in a JV game against Perth Amboy (View article, highlights, and slideshow). Zanfordino is a fierce competitor, who can score both inside and outside. Turner is athletic who can hit the perimeter shot. All three play other sports as well with Radd and Zanfordino playing baseball in the spring while Turner plays football in the fall.
The roster is also bolstered by senior reserves Alpha Tarawally and Kenny Guido as well as sophomore, Haaziq Daniels, who shined on the football field this fall as the starting quarterback for the Eagles. EHS and its head coach, Charlie Mohr, who begins his 13th year at the helm in Edison, did lose three starters from last season including Al Newcombe, Juston Payne, and Ish Treadwell. So, the Eagles lost a good deal of scoring, some length and athleticism.
Over the summer, the Eagles played in the East Brunswick Team Camp and the Rahway Summer League. Edison opens the season at Sayreville, and then hosts New Brunswick in its home opener before playing again in the Matawan Huskies Holiday Classic Tournament over the Christmas break.
New Brunswick Zebras
Team: New Brunswick
Coach: Art Tooles
Year: 2nd
Career Coaching Record: Coached 3 years at Middlesex (31-44); 8 years coached Franklin girls.
Coaching Record At School: 1-18
Last Year’s Overall Record: 1-18
Last Year’s Division Record: 1-13, 8th in GMC White Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 1-16
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Upset South Plainfield
Last Year’s JV Team: Didn’t play in 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: Seeded 16th in the 2015 Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament. Lost to Perth Amboy in Preliminary Round.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Odie Page Summer League
Returning Starters: Emmanuel Osei (6’6” Sr. F/C) and Samad Davila (5’10” Sr. G)
Returning Reserves: Maurice Ffrench (5’10” Sr. G), Carlos Hernandez (5’9” Sr. G), Jahbree Jeffery (5’10” Jr. G), and Curtis Revan (6’2” Jr. F).
Key Losses From Last Season: Nadir Whitten (6’0” G), Malik Morgan (5’9” G), Dewardric Scott (5’9” G), Thompson Sharrybay (5’10” G), Trevon Blakey (5’7” Sr. G, transferred to South Brunswick), and Anthony Blakey (6’0” Jr. G, transferred to South Brunswick).
Key Newcomers: Mohammed Bangura (6’2” Sr. F), Umar Sannoh (6’0” Sr. G), Jordan Harris (5’7” So. G), Elijah Bennett (5’8” Sr. G), Wenzel Dunlap (5’9” Jr. G), Shaquille Daniels (5’9” Jr. G), Kenny Lebron (5’10” So. G), and Jose Rosario-Aguilera (6’0” Sr. G).
View the New Brunswick Season Schedule
Outlook: New Brunswick is looking to build off the momentum generated by the football team and several other fall sports with a successful boys basketball season. Head coach Art Tooles is back for his second season, and made a big step in the off-season by getting a summer league going at NBHS. The Odie Page Summer League featured a number of teams from the GMC including South Brunswick.
The Zebras have the likes of Emmanuel Osei, Maurice Ffrench, Samad Davila, Carlos Hernandez, Mohammed Bangura, Curtis Revan, and Jahbree Jeffery returning, but did take a bit of a hit with the graduation of Nadir Whitten, Malik Morgan, and Dewardric Scott as well as the transfer of Trevon and Anthony Blakey to South Brunswick. Osei, who played football and basketball last season, is just focusing on hoops this year. He has length and athleticism, and will be a force on the boards. Having the likes of football players French, Davila, Hernandez, and Jeffery on the roster will be a big boost since all of them are coming off the school’s best season in 6 years with a semifinal berth in the Central Jersey Group 5 playoffs.
After the Brunswick Classic Holiday Tournament disbanded with North Brunswick moving up to the GMC Red last year, New Brunswick played in the Metuchen Bulldog Holiday Tournament last year. This year, NBHS is running its own holiday tourney. New Brunswick opens the season with road games at South Plainfield and Edison before playing in its Christmas Tourney over the holidays.