East Brunswick Tech and South Amboy Emerge As Favorites in Division With Many Changes
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ—Last year, the GMC Gold was quite competitive in its first year with 9 teams. Six of the 9 teams won 11 games or more including four that had 15 wins or more. Some of the top players in school history: Jordan Little of Perth Amboy Tech, David Johnson of Dunellen, and Sean Darrar of South River graduated this off-season while others returning such as Piscataway Tech’s Letrell West and South Amboy’s Ryan O’Leary transferred. The Gold Division also holds the distinction for having the only two coaching changes in the Greater Middlesex Conference this past off-season. Howie Horowitz takes over at Dunellen while Lenny Reyes is the new man at Piscataway Tech. East Brunswick Tech and South Amboy emerge as early favorites with Dunellen and P-Way Tech not too far behind. Here is a look at the division in 2015-16:
2015-16 GMC Gold Division—Predicted Order of Finish
Last year’s record in parenthesis
- East Brunswick Tech (11-15)
- South Amboy (12-15)
- Dunellen (19-7)
- Piscataway Tech (16-9)
- Perth Amboy Tech (19-6)
- Highland Park (3-19)
- Timothy Christian (3-23)
- South River (15-13)
- Wardlaw (7-13)
Some thoughts: Of all the divisions in the GMC, this was perhaps the most difficult to predict because there are a lot of unknowns. East Brunswick Tech hasn’t really contended for a division title since the 2008-09 season, but has enough back including top player, Connor Stratton, who is healthy again, to earn the pre-season top spot. South Amboy did lose Ryan O’Leary, who transferred to Sayreville, but they still have enough back in Kehare Ford, Nick Reagan, and Julian Munoz as well as reserves Alan Kazar and Bobby Nebus to contend.
This might sound surprising, but in spite of the changes at Dunellen, the Destroyers could still challenge for the division with the likes of Tyquan Fowler, Anthony Buccino, Yianni Garris, Bowen Grasso, and Nazire Jordan all returning from last year. Same goes with P-Way Tech with the likes of Ali Austin, Khalil Smith, and German Pimentel all back. Perth Amboy Tech does return point guard Kyrie Byers and sharpshooter Pedro Gonzalez while Highland Park does have a good nucleus back with Noah Pointer, Nasir Boykins, Will Chen, and Justin Simms returning.
Timothy Christian has Robert Saydee, Will Clemmons, Lucas Page, Josh Alcoriza, and Pierce Kokosinski back in addition to Roselle Catholic transfer, Tyler Mixson coming in. South River is young and inexperienced with only three players: Mario Nigro, Antonio Martinez, and Billy George with varsity experience back this year. Wardlaw lost its three top players from a team that finished 6th in division last year in Mike Newman, Nick Palko, and John Pohopin, but still have Brendan O’Brien, Garrett Racz, Scott Hargrove, and Jordan Rose back.
2015-16 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 2015-16 season:
East Brunswick Tech Tigers
Team: East Brunswick Tech
Coach: Jeff Staples
Year: 7th
Career Coaching Record: 57-83
Coaching Record At School: 57-83
Last Year’s Overall Record: 11-15
Last Year’s Division Record: 4-12, 7th in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 4-13
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Won North Jersey Tech Holiday Tournament and Qualified for Central Jersey Group I State Playoffs.
Last Year’s JV Team: Didn’t play in the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Raritan Bay Summer League.
Returning Starters: 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), and Enudy Jimenez (6’4” Jr. F/C).
Returning Reserves: Josh Brody (5’9” Sr. G), Mason Settembre (5’10” Sr. G), Vincent Pellicane (5’7” Jr. G), A.J. Rambone (5’6” Jr. G), and Chris Martini (5’7” Sr. G).
Key Losses From Last Season: Saadiq Riles (5’9” G).
Key Newcomers: Elmer Montiel (6’4” Sr. F), Misael Ruiz (6’4” Sr. F), Dan Rachkelyuk (6’3” Jr. F), Talif Jones (5’8” Sr. G) and Justin Jezerek (6’2” Sr. F).
View the East Brunswick Tech Schedule
View East Brunswick Tech Holiday Tourney Schedule
Outlook: East Brunswick Tech had perhaps its best season since 2010-11, and with the likes of Connor Stratton, Noah Westbrook, Mason Settembre, Silas Stanley, Josh Brody, Lanier Smith, and Enudy Jimenez all returning this season, the Tigers are looking to win their first division crown since winning their only GMC Gold crowns in back to back seasons in 1996 and 1997.
The key will be a healthy Connor Stratton, who went down with a concussion mid-season against Dunellen and was out for the remainder of the season. Having Stratton’s leadership, playmaking ability, shooting, and scoring in the line-up every night for EB Tech makes this team much more formidable.
Westbrook is bigger and stronger this year while Settembre, Stanley, Brody, Smith, and Jimenez have all shown improvement thanks to a newly implemented off-season program that included competing in the Raritan Bay Summer League. There are also newcomers such as Elmera Montiel and Misael Ruiz that bolster the frontcourt a bit while youngsters Dylan Stratton, R.J. Jobin, and A.J. Rambone may also see some time.
Recently, GMC Hoops saw E.B. Tech playing Koinonia Academy in a pre-season scrimmage, and the Tigers won 2 of the 3 quarters covered with Stratton scoring 12 points and Westbrook adding 10. Read the game notes and article as well as view highlights, photos, and slideshow from the Tigers win over Koinonia last season. East Brunswick Tech opens the season with two big tests with contenders Piscataway Tech and South Amboy in its first two games before taking on Calvary Christian in a non-conference matchup, and competing again in the North Jersey Tech Tournament over the holidays.
South Amboy Governors
Team: South Amboy
Coach: John Zammit
Year: 2nd
Career Coaching Record: 12-15
Coaching Record At School: 12-15
Last Year’s Overall Record: 12-15
Last Year’s Division Record: 8-8, 5th in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 8-12
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Qualified for Central Jersey Group I State Playoffs.
Last Year’s JV Team: Didn’t play in the 2015 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 Summer League.
Returning Starters: Kehare Ford (5’10” Sr. G) and Julian Munoz (6’0”, Jr. G/F)
Returning Reserves: Nick Reagan (5’11” Sr. F), Alan Kazar (6’3” Jr. F/C), Bobby Nebus (6’3” Jr. F/C), Justin Lewis (5’11” Jr. F), and Lane Lepardo (5’10” Jr. F).
Key Losses From Last Season: Tim Kales (6’0” C), Max Garcia (5’11” F), Hugh Rone (6’0” PF), Xavier Lluberes (5’8” PG), and Ryan O’Leary (6’3” Jr. G/F, transferred to Sayreville).
Key Newcomers: Luis Suarez (5’10” G), Jordan Correa (6’2” F), Vincent Burns (6’0″ G), T.J. Carter (5’9” G), and Isaiah Munoz (5’10” G).
View South Amboy Holiday Tourney Schedule
South Amboy, Sayreville, and Perth Amboy Tech Competing in Friends of South Amboy Benefit Showcase
Outlook: South Amboy took a hit with the transfer of Ryan O’Leary to Sayreville in addition to the graduation of Tim Kales, Max Garcia, Hugh Rone, and Xavier Lluberes. The Guvs will look to rely on the likes of Kehare Ford to lead the way along with Nick Reagan and Julian Munoz. Reserves from last year including Alan Kazar, Bobby Nebus, Justin Lewis, and Lane Lepardo will also look to contribute.
Second year head coach, John Zammit will be looking to build off the team’s improvement in the last half of the season last year. The Guvs had a tough start to the 2014-15 campaign with four losses in their first five games before going .500 the rest of the way for a 12-15 record. Read game notes and article as well as view highlights, photos, and slideshow from the Guvs gritty performance in defeat against Piscataway Tech on January 31st last season.
Over the summer, South Amboy competed in the Monroe Sports Center Summer League and the Raritan Bay Summer League. Read game notes as well as view highlights, photos, and slideshow of South Amboy in action against Koinonia Academy. over the summer at Raritan Bay. The Guvs open the season at neighborhood rival, South River, and then takes on Sayreville of the GMC White in the nightcap of the 2015 Friends of South Amboy Benefit Showcase before hosting E.B. Tech in an early season showdown. South Amboy is also competing in the Keansburg Holiday Tournament, which also features South River.
Dunellen Destroyers
Team: Dunellen
Coach: Howie Horowitz
Year: 1st
Career Coaching Record: First head coaching job
Coaching Record At School: First head coaching job
Last Year’s Overall Record: 19-7
Last Year’s Division Record: 14-2, Tied for 1st in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 17-6
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Upset Point Pleasant Beach. Qualified for North Jersey Section 2 Group I State Playoffs (Seeded 2nd).
Last Year’s JV Team: Didn’t play in the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Bound Brook Summer League
Returning Starters: Anthony Buccino (5’9” So. PG) and Tyquan Fowler (5’9” Sr. G)
Returning Reserves: Yianni Garris (5’11” Sr. F), Bowen Grasso (5’9” Sr. G), and Nazire Jordan (5’10” Sr. F).
Key Losses From Last Season: Dave Johnson (6’2” SF, now playing basketball at Kutztown University), Al-Taron Fields (6’2” PF), and Dan Russomanno (6’4” C).
Key Newcomers: Jibril Hagood-Henry (6’2” Jr., F), Oscar Cabellero (5-10, Jr. G); Nazir Martin (5’10” So. G); Alex Dornbrier (6’2” So., C); Angel Suarez (6’2” Fr. C).
Outlook: Dunellen had some big changes in its off-season. Starting at the top with new head coach, Howie Horowitz, who takes over for Bernie Buniak, who coached at the school for 10 seasons, went 155-101, won 6 GMC Gold titles, and reached the North Jersey Section 2 Group I semifinals twice in 2006 and 2013. Horowitz, who is also an assistant coach in football, had previously been the JV head coach and varsity assistant at DHS.
The first year coach was a standout hoops and football player at neighborhood rival, Middlesex, and was a member of the 2000-01 Blue Jays team that reached the GMCT Elite Eight after dethroning defending champion, Sayreville in the Round of 16. The Destroyers also said goodbye to its all time leading scorer, David Johnson, who graduated in June and now plays hoops at Division II Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. Dunellen also lost starters, Al-Taron Fields and Dan Russomanno to graduation this past summer. View highlights, photos, and slideshow from Dunellen’s win at East Brunswick Tech last season.
Returning this year are starters Anthony Buccino (sophomore point guard) and Yianni Garris (senior shooting guard) along with reserves Bowen Grasso, Tyquan Fowler, and Nazire Jordan. Despite all of those changes, Dunellen still may have enough to compete in the top half of the division. Over the summer, the Destroyers played in the Bound Brook Summer League. Dunellen opens the season at home against Timothy Christian and then travels to Perth Amboy Tech before hosting its annual Shello-Santy Tournament over the holidays.
Piscataway Tech Raiders
Team: Piscataway Tech
Coach: Lenny Reyes
Year: 1st
Career Coaching Record: 55-88; 45-53 in 4 seasons at South Amboy and 10-35 in 2 seasons at Metuchen
Coaching Record At School: first season
Last Year’s Overall Record: 16-9
Last Year’s Division Record: 13-3, 3rd in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 14-7
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Defeated Perth Amboy Tech. Reached Quarterfinals of Central Jersey Group 1 State Playoffs (lost to South Hunterdon).
Last Year’s JV Team: Didn’t play in the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: None
Returning Starters: Ali Austin (6’0” Sr. G)
Returning Reserves: Khalil Smith (6’1” Sr. G/F), German Pimentel (6’3” Jr. F/C), Brendan Barnes (6’3” So. F), Romelo Spencer (6’0” Sr. G), and Gurbir Mukkar (5’10” Sr. G).
Key Losses From Last Season: Aziz Austin (6’1” G), Kyle Wider (5’9” G), Frank Howard (6’6’ F), Marc Fychok (6’0” G), Hussein Hussein (6’2” F/C), and Letrell West (6’2” Jr. G, transferred to St. Joseph’s).
Key Newcomers: Kelvin Jara, Daniel Peacock, Sergio Rodriguez, Brandon Santiago, Karan Singh, Taquan Smith, and Malik Stringer.
View the Piscataway Tech Schedule
View the Piscataway Tech Holiday Tournament Schedule
Outlook: Piscataway Tech underwent some big chances this off-season. Starting at the top with the head coach, the Raiders have many new faces. The Raiders have their fourth different head coach in the past 3 seasons. Lenny Reyes, who previously coached at Metuchen, and more recently at South Amboy, recent took the helm at P-Way Tech.
At Metuchen, he coached the likes of Marqus Blakely, Lamar Nichols, and Steve Thomas, and guided them to an upset win over then 8th seeded P-Way Tech as a 25th seed in the 2005 GMCT. Over at South Amboy, Reyes, compiled a 45-53 record, but the Guvs gradually improved during his four seasons from 4-19 in 2010-11 to 20-7 in 2013-14. In his final season at SAHS, Reyes led the Guvs to a berth in the GMCT Elite Eight as the 24th seed.
Reyes inherits a much different squad with the graduation of the likes of guards Aziz Austin and Kyle Wider and the transfer of Letrell West to St. Joseph’s. Four-fifths of the starting five from last year are gone. Read game notes and article as well as view highlights, photos, and slideshow from P-Way Tech’s win over Perth Amboy Tech on January 30th.
The Raiders still have the likes of Ali Austin, Khalil Smith, and German Pimentel (played football at New Brunswick) back along with reserves Romelo Spencer and Branden Barnes. Recently, GMC Hoops saw Piscataway Tech in a pre-season scrimmage against Carteret, and the Raiders rallied from a 38-32 deficit with under 4 minutes to play with a 9-3 spurt including a jumper from the left elbow by Khalil Smith as time expired for a 41-41 tie. JV Raiders battled Carteret for two quarters and lost by a slim margin of 23-19 after finishing the exhibition on a 12-2 tear
Perth Amboy Tech Patriots
Team: Perth Amboy Tech
Coach: John Meyer
Year: 7th
Career Coaching Record: 72-75
Coaching Record At School: 72-75
Last Year’s Overall Record: 19-6
Last Year’s Division Record: 14-2, Tied for 1st in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 15-4
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Won a share of GMC Gold. Reached Semifinals of Central Jersey Group I State Playoffs (lost to Shore Regional).
Last Year’s JV Team: Didn’t play in the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Rahway Summer League
Returning Starters: Kyrie Byers (5’9” Sr. PG) and Pedro Gonzalez (6’0” Jr. G)
Returning Reserves: Javon Fisher (6’3” Jr. F/C) and Eric Negron (6’2” Jr. C).
Key Losses From Last Season: Jordan Little (6’8” C, now playing at Brookdale Community College), Noel Garay (5’10” SG, now playing at Brookdale Community College), Lou Rodriguez, Angel Ramirez (6’1” F), Richie Moya (6’0” G), and Kenny Marte (5’6” G).
Key Newcomers: Not available
View the Perth Amboy Tech Schedule
View the Perth Amboy Tech Holiday Tournament Schedule
South Amboy, Sayreville, and Perth Amboy Tech Competing in Friends of South Amboy Benefit Showcase
Outlook: Perth Amboy Tech had one of its best seasons ever with a share of the GMC Gold championship with Dunellen. It was only the fourth time that the Patriots won at least a share of the Gold Division crown. In addition, Amboy Tech reached the semifinals of the Central Jersey Group I State Playoffs before bowing out to eventual champion, Shore Regional. Read game notes and article as well as view highlights, photos, and slideshow from Amboy Tech’s win over South Amboy in Perth Amboy last season.
Two key players from that squad, big man Jordan Little and guard Noel Garay are now playing JUCO ball at Brookdale College in Lincroft. Also gone are starting forward, Lou Rodriguez and reserves Angel Ramirez and Richie Moya. The Patriots do have a solid starting backcourt returning with Kyrie Byers and Pedro Gonzalez as well as reserve forwards Javon Fisher and Eric Negro back.
Over the summer, Perth Amboy Tech played at the Rahway Summer League. View game notes, highlights, photos, and slideshow from Amboy Tech’s game against Scotch Plains at Rahway this past summer. Perth Amboy Tech opens the season at Highland Park, and then plays Mater Dei in the Friends of South Amboy Benefit Showcase, and hosts Dunellen before competing in the Al Lobalbo Tournament at St. Mary’s of the Assumption in Elizabeth over the holidays.
Highland Park Owls
Team: Highland Park
Coach: Derek Nobles
Year: 10th
Career Coaching Record: 37-154
Coaching Record At School: 37-154
Last Year’s Overall Record: 3-19
Last Year’s Division Record: 2-14, 8th in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 2-15
Last Year’s Accomplishments: None
Last Year’s JV Team: Didn’t play in the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: None
Returning Starters: Noah Pointer (6’0” Sr. G), Matt Ambrosio (6’1” Sr. G), Nasir Boykins (6’2” Sr. F), and Justin Simms (6’2” Jr. G).
Returning Reserves: Piney Arp (5’6” Sr. G) and Will Chen (5’9” Sr. G).
Key Losses From Last Season: Will Jacob-Perez (6’5” C) and Dondre Wilburn (5’10” G)
Key Newcomers: Amir Wright (6’3” Jr. F), Na’eem Ghee (6’3” Jr. F), Rochelle Augustus (5’11” Jr. G), Angel Holguin (5’8” Jr. G).
View the Highland Park Schedule
Outlook: Highland Park is competing in the GMC Gold for a second year, and will be looking to improve on its 3-19 overall mark including a 2-14 divisional record. Read game notes and article as well as view highlights, photos, and slideshow from the Owls taking on Wardlaw early in the year last season. Returning for head coach, Derek Nobles, who is now in his 10th season at HPHS are football standouts, Noah Pointer, Nasir Boykins, and Justin Simms as well as seniors Matt Ambrosio, Will Chen and guard Piney Arp.
Like the football team in the fall, the Owls boys basketball team has a nucleus of players that have taken their fair share of lumps over the past several seasons. Now, this group has a wealth of experience, and is looking to use that in order to make the Owls a contender for a state tourney berth and have a shot at a .500 season, which they have only had once in the past 13 years. The Owls open up the season at home against Perth Amboy Tech, and then travel to nearby Piscataway Tech before playing in the Shello-Santy Holiday Tournament in Dunellen over Christmas Break.
Timothy Christian Tigers
Team: Timothy Christian
Coach: Chris Hobbs
Year: 9th
Career Coaching Record: 157-155
Coaching Record At School: 109-100
Last Year’s Overall Record: 3-23
Last Year’s Division Record: 2-14, 8th in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 1-15
Last Year’s Accomplishments: None
Last Year’s JV Team: Didn’t play in the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: Raritan Bay Summer League and Bound Brook Summer League
Returning Starters: Will Clemmons (6’4” Jr. F), Robert Saydee (6’2” So. F), and Lucas Page (6’3” Jr. F).
Returning Reserves: Josh Alcoriza (5’6” Jr. G), Adrian Oronoz (5’9” Sr. G), and Pierce Kokosinski (6’2” So. F).
Key Losses From Last Season: Josh Decker (5’9” G, now playing at Cairn University).
Key Newcomers: Tyler Mixson (5’10” Jr. G, transferred in from Roselle Catholic), Eric Sibilla (5’8” Sr. G), David Adames (6’2” Jr. F), AJ Mhya (6’3” Jr. F), and Jeff Samson (5’11”, Jr. G).
View the Timothy Christian Season Schedule
View the Timothy Christian Holiday Tourney Schedule
Outlook: Timothy Christian endured a difficult season in 2014-15 after winning its first ever division crown in GMC boys basketball the year before. Read game notes and article as well as view highlights, photos, and slideshow from one of the TCS games last season against Wardlaw at TCS. Losing the likes of Brandon Summers (Valley Forge University), Zach Coyle, Matt DiLeo, Jarret Locke, David Figueroa, and Evan Waldron in addition to the transfer of big man, Matt Harris to Franklin, put the Tigers in rebuilding mode.
Read head coach Chris Hobbs’ reflections on the 2014-15 TCS boys basketball campaign in his blog. In additon, promising freshman, Robert Saydee was injured for much of the season, but he did provide a glimpse of his promise late in the season when he returned and helped TCS get its first win of the season. One positive from last season was the fact that the Tigers only lost standout player, Josh Decker (Cairn University), to graduation. Will Clemons returns along with Saydee and they will be joined by Tyler Mixson, a talented transfer from Roselle Catholic. Role players such as point guard, Josh Alcoriza, Lucas Page, and Pierce Kokosinski are also back, and have shown some improvement.
TCS competed in the Raritan Bay and Bound Brook Summer Leagues in the off-season. Recently, the Tigers took on Calvary Christian in a scrimmage, and after a tough first period, they held there own by tying the second frame, and winning the third. TCS was without top players Saydee, Mixson, and Clemons in that scrimmage. View game notes, photos, and slideshow from some of the action.
South River Rams
Team: South River
Coach: Rodney Harris
Year: 7th
Career Coaching Record: 82-81
Coaching Record At School: 82-81
Last Year’s Overall Record: 15-13
Last Year’s Division Record: 10-6, 4th in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 11-10
Last Year’s Accomplishments: Reached the Quarterfinals of the Central Jersey Group 1 State Playoffs.
Last Year’s JV Team: Didn’t play in the 2015 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: Mario Nigro (5’10”, Sr. G) and Antonio Martinez (5’9” Sr. G).
Returning Reserves: Billy George (6’0” Sr. G/F).
Key Losses From Last Season: Sean Darrar (5’11” G, now playing football at Albright College), Zach Torres (5’11”, G, now playing basketball at Middlesex County College), Maurice Lawrence (6’1” F), Othneil Harris (6’1” F), and Patrick Genthe (6’0” G).
Key Newcomers: Michael DeSantis (5’9” Fr. G), Riley Fernandes (Sr. G), Angel Pesante (Sr. G), R.J. Fischer (So. G), Derrick Whitaker (Fr. G), Zachary Rafano (Fr. G), Matthew Pietryzk (Jr. G/F), Silvio Cruz (Fr. G), and Jaryn Bullock (Jr. G/F).
View the South River Season Schedule
View the South River Holiday Tourney Schedule
Watch South River’s Sean Darrar Score his 1,000th Career Point last season
Outlook: South River took a bit of a hit to graduation with the departure of 1,000 point scorer, Sean Darrar, who is now playing football at Albright College as well as point guard, Zach Torres (Middlesex County College), Maurice Lawrence, Othneil Harris, and Patrick Genthe. Read game notes and article as well as view highlights, photos, and slideshow from the Rams win over Timothy Christian last season. The Rams also lost football standout, Khaliyl Everett, who did not come out for basketball this year.
Seventh year head coach, Rodney Harris only has three varsity players with experience coming back for this season including: Mario Nigro, Antonio Martinez, and Billy George. They are very young. There are 4 freshmen, 2 juniors, and a sophomore on the roster. The JV team consists of all freshmen. The Rams went through similar growing pains during football season with a roster that consisted of mostly freshmen and sophomores. Nigro, the quarterback on the football team, will once again have to serve as a leader and teacher.
Expect South River to run its fast paced, high octane offense though with Martinez and Nigro handling the basketball a great deal. In the off-season, South River competed in the Raritan Bay Summer League and the Monroe Sports Center Fall League. Read game notes as well as view highlights, photos, and slideshow from action in the Rams close loss to Freehold Township at the MSC Fall League. The Rams open the season at home against South Amboy, and host Barack Obama Charter of Plainfield in a non-conference game before competing in the Keansburg Holiday Tournament over Christmas Break.
Wardlaw-Hartridge Rams
Team: Wardlaw-Hartridge
Coach: Eugene Maxwell
Year: 3rd
Career Coaching Record: 184-155
Coaching Record At School: 11-32
Last Year’s Overall Record: 7-13
Last Year’s Division Record: 6-10, 6th in GMC Gold Division
Last Year’s Conference Record: 6-11
Last Year’s Accomplishments: None
Last Year’s JV Team: Didn’t play in the 2015 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament.
Last Year’s Freshman Team: No Freshmen Team.
Off-Season Leagues/Team Camps: None.
Returning Starters: Brendan O’Brien (6’2” Sr. F) and Garrett Racz (6’2” Sr. F)
Returning Reserves: Scott Hargrove (5’11” Jr. G), Raphael Genty (6’3” Jr. C), Jordan Rose (5’9” Jr. G), and Alden Racz (6’2” Sr. G).
Key Losses From Last Season: Mike Newman (5’11” G), Nick Palko (6’4” F), John Pohopin (5’11” G), and Luke Romeo (5’10” G)
Key Newcomers: Amaan Bhojani (6’3” Jr. F); Ryan Petella (5’10” Fr. G)
View the Wardlaw-Hartridge Season Schedule
Outlook: Wardlaw-Hartridge showed some improvement in 2014-15, but took some hits to graduation with the losses of starters Mike Newman, Nick Palko, and John Pohopin from a squad that finished 7-13 overall including a 6-10 mark in divisional play. Check out game notes and article as well as view highlights, photos, and slideshow from Wardlaw’s home win over Highland Park to open the New Year on January 2nd last season. Read game notes and article as well as view highlights, photos, and slideshow from Wardlaw’s road win at Timothy Christian.
The Rams, coached by former Summit head coach, Eugene Maxwell, who is in his third season, will look to the likes of Brendan O’Brien, Luke Romeo, Jordan Rose, and Scott Hargrove to make them more competitive. The Rams open the season at home against non-conference foe, Central Jersey Prep of Somerset, and then before playing Princeton Day Academy on December 30th.