2022-23 GMC Red Division Previews

School:  Colonia

Team Nickname:  Patriots

Head Coach:  Jose Rodriguez (10th season total; 5th Season at Colonia – Was 16-36 in 2 seasons at Plainfield and 35-39 in 3 seasons at Carteret)

Career Coaching Record:  133-96

Coaching Record At School:  82-21

GMC Hoops Pre-Season Rank:  2nd

GMC Hoops Predicted Finish in Division:  2nd

Last Year’s Overall Record: 25-5

Last Year’s Division Record:  12-2 (2nd in GMC White)

Last Year’s Conference Record:  16-3

Last Year’s PPG:  63.5 (6th in GMC)

Last Year’s PAPG:  46.6 (3rd in GMC)

Last Year’s PDPG:  16.9 (2nd in GMC)

Last Year’s Accomplishments:  Reached GMCT Championship and North Jersey Group 3 State Semifinals; Won North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 Championship

2022 Off-Season Leagues:  NJ Live, Elizabeth Summer League, Colonia JV Summer League, and Elizabeth Fall League

Key Players Returning:  Jack Zink (20.0 ppg – 7th in GMC in 2021-22 and 923 career points or 14.7 ppg), Timothy Cranga (296 career points or 5.7 ppg), Kyle Durkin, and Kevin Lincoln.

Key Players Lost:  Isaiah Jones (10.0 ppg in 2021-22 and 765 career points or 8.6 ppg), Lucas Durkin (340 career points or 4.7 ppg) and Eli Fahmy.

Key Newcomers:  Joshua Stephens, Jeremiah Cachie, Michael Schafer, and Hudson Gosselin.

Players Playing in College:   Jordan Derkack (Merrimack), Chad Baker (Northwest Florida JC), Billy Anderson (Susquehanna), Saivon Pressley (Middlesex College), and Ruben Reyes (Raritan Valley).

Team Roster:

Team Schedule:

Summary:  Colonia along with Aquinas moved up to play in the new look Greater Middlesex Conference Red Division this season.  The Patriots did lose several players to graduation from last year’s North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 championship team.  Saivon Pressley (Middlesex College) and Billy Anderson (Susquehanna) are now playing in college.  However, Jaeden Jones and Noah Taylor return while newcomers such as freshman Aiden Derkack and Aquinas transfer, James Curet, provide length, athleticism, and scoring.  Dylan Conklin, Anthony Gooden, Matt McSorley, and Charles Hommel as well as Zach Smith and Nygel Hill are coming up from the sub-varsity levels including a JV squad that reached the East Brunswick/GMC JV Semifinals a year ago.  The Pats will still be in the mix for GMC Red and GMCT titles.

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School:  East Brunswick

Team Nickname:  Bears

Head Coach:  Mark Motusesky (10th Season)

Career Coaching Record:  119-95

Coaching Record At School:  119-95

GMC Hoops Pre-Season Rank:  11th

GMC Hoops Predicted Finish in Division:  7th

Last Year’s Overall Record: 11-12

Last Year’s Division Record:  8-8 (5th in GMC Red)

Last Year’s Conference Record:  11-10

Last Year’s PPG:  61.0 (9th in GMC)

Last Year’s PAPG:  62.7 (27th in GMC)

Last Year’s PDPG:  -1.7 (18th in GMC)

Last Year’s Accomplishments:  Reached GMCT Round of 16 and Qualified for Central Jersey Group 4 State Tournament.

2022 Off-Season Leagues:  East Brunswick Team Camp, Bridgewater Summer League, Piscataway Fall League, and Middlesex JV League.

Key Players Returning:  Eric Greene, Tarique Dorsey, Jordan Diaz, Joel Cruz-Maiza, Luke Peterson, Danny Watts, Anthony Hatz, and Ryan Hutchins

Key Players Lost:  Benny Hernandez 

Key Newcomers:  Elijah Duplesis and Mark Stein

Players Playing in College:  Travis Cumber (Franklin and Marshall) and Dylan McCann (Ocean)

Team Roster:

Team Schedule:

Summary:  Historically, East Brunswick has been one of the top boys basketball programs in the GMC.  And even though they have struggled in recent years, the Bears have still managed to be competitive.  In addition to losing the likes of Justin Black to graduation, EB lost Alani Ajigbotosho, who transferred to North Brunswick.  Mike Mikulka returns this season along with reserves Jack Nelson, Gavin Seaver, and Mason Klausner.  Newcomer, Cam Martin, a junior who transferred in from Rutgers Prep, played well in the Piscataway Fall League as well as freshman Jake Sliwinski, the younger brother of 1,000 point scorer, Brianna Sliwinski, who now plays D2 hoops in Florida.  Two other freshmen coming in are Matt Mikulka and Cameron Vick, the younger brother of former EB and McCarrick standout, Mike Vick, who played college hoops  at Rutgers-Newark.

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School:  J.P. Stevens

Team Nickname:  Hawks

Head Coach:  Chris Garcia (6th Season)

Career Coaching Record:  50-64

Coaching Record At School:  50-64

GMC Hoops Pre-Season Rank:  9th

GMC Hoops Predicted Finish in Division:  6th

Last Year’s Overall Record: 13-11

Last Year’s Division Record:  7-9 (6th in GMC Red)

Last Year’s Conference Record:  12-10

Last Year’s PPG:  55.1 (16th in GMC)

Last Year’s PAPG:  54.7 (14th in GMC)

Last Year’s PDPG:  0.4 (16th in GMC)

Last Year’s Accomplishments:  Advanced to GMCT Round of 16 and Qualified for the North Jersey Section 2 Group 4 State Tournament

2022 Off-Season Leagues:  East Brunswick Team Camp, NJ Live, Rahway Summer League, Piscataway Fall League, and Middlesex JV Summer League

Key Players Returning:  Scott Pede (11.4 ppg in 2021-22 and 425 career points or 10.6 ppg), Estevan Atanacio (206 career points or 6.2 ppg), Juel Holmes-Smith, and Justin Noon.

Key Players Lost:  Ryan Sutton (201 career points or 6.3 ppg), Juan Hernandez, Brett Allo, and Jarryd Pribila.

Key Newcomers:  Tyrese Pompey and Tyrique Pompey

Players Playing in College:  Naysean Burch (TCNJ), Quacier Cuebas (Harford JC), Elijah Scott (Raritan Valley), and Avery Dent (Union).

Team Roster:

Team Schedule:

Summary:  The Hawks still look to be competitive in the new look Red although the schedule early on will be very tough with the likes of Aquinas, Colonia, and St. Joe’s along with a non-conference match-up on the road against Westfield in just the first week.  If Stevens can find a way to survive that, and do well against the rest of the division, it should be in contention for a spot in the GMC Hoops Top Ten.  Despite losses to graduation in recent years, and a 4-20 season three years ago, head coach Chris Garcia has found a way to make the Hawks competitive with above .500 seasons in both 2020-21 and 2021-22.  JPS did lose the likes of Elijah Scott to graduation (now at Raritan Valley Community College), but have Eli Peters, Aurko Sarkar, and Aditya Thewarker returning along with newcomers such as Anthony Hicks.  Stevens competed at NJ Live and also reached the Rahway Summer League Championship Game.

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School:  Monroe

Team Nickname: Falcons

Head Coach:  Jeff Warner (6th Season)

Career Coaching Record: 66-55

Coaching Record At School:  66-55

GMC Hoops Pre-Season Rank:  15th

GMC Hoops Predicted Finish in Division:  9th

Last Year’s Overall Record: 22-5

Last Year’s Division Record:  12-3 (2nd in GMC Red)

Last Year’s Conference Record:  18-4

Last Year’s PPG:  57.0 (13th in GMC)

Last Year’s PAPG:  48.2 (4th in GMC)

Last Year’s PDPG:  8.8 (8th in GMC)

Last Year’s Accomplishments:  Defeated St. Joseph’s for 1st time in school history; Reached GMCT Semifinals and Central Jersey Group 4 Quarterfinals.

2022 Off-Season Leagues:  Hoop Group Headquarters Spring League, East Brunswick Team Camp, Moody Park Summer League, and Raritan Bay Summer League.

Key Players Returning:  Daniel Starcevic (8.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg and 2.1 bpg in 7 games before injury), Evangelos Kambitsis, and Phillip Wilson.

Key Players Lost:  Ewan Haley-Lock (12.8 ppg in 2021-22 and 488 career points or 9.6 ppg), Matthew Brzozowski (280 career points or 6.4 ppg), Skyler Mack (213 career points or 4.3 ppg), and Faizon Morris (204 career points or 4.1 ppg). 

Key Newcomers:  Jowan Keyes, Cooper Ballentine, and Evangelis Kambitsis

Players Playing in College:  JD Daniels (Kean), Andrew Turco (Drew), Jonathan Okocha (TCNJ), Josh Okocha (Arcadia), and Elijah Okocha (Kean).

Team Roster:

Team Schedule:

Summary:  Losing 80 percent of its starting five as well as several reserves from last year’s memorable 22-5 season, Monroe isn’t expected to compete in the upper echelon of the GMC Red in 2022-23.  However, head coach Jeff Warner has a solid group of talent coming up from the JV and freshmen levels to help the likes of lone returning starter Myles Marabuto as well as reserves Riley Piscitelli and Jase Robinson.  Brody Piscitelli and Joe Porpora are two newcomers that looked very good in games the Falcons played in the Hoop Group Headquarters Spring League and East Brunswick Team Camp.  Last year’s JV team was seeded 4th in the EB/GMC JV Tourney before being upset by Perth Amboy in the Round of 16, and the second seeded Freshmen Falcons lost to eventual Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tourney champs, St. Thomas Aquinas in the semifinals.  This group will likely take some lumps, but they will be competitive, especially by season’s end.

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School:  Old Bridge

Team Nickname:  Knights

Head Coach:  Jim Macomber (11th Season)

Career Coaching Record:  133-111

Coaching Record At School:  133-111

GMC Hoops Pre-Season Rank:  12th

GMC Hoops Predicted Finish in Division:  8th

Last Year’s Overall Record: 10-15

Last Year’s Division Record:  6-10 (7th in GMC Red)

Last Year’s Conference Record:  9-13

Last Year’s PPG:  55.6 (Tied for 14th in GMC)

Last Year’s PAPG:  57.8 (21st in GMC)

Last Year’s PDPG:  -2.2 (19th in GMC)

Last Year’s Accomplishments:  Advanced to GMCT Round of 16 and Qualified for Central Jersey Group 4 State Tournament

2022 Off-Season Leagues:  Hamilton Park Summer League and Linden Fall League

Key Players Returning:  None.

Key Players Lost:   Adrian Pena (11.2 ppg in 2021-22 and 431 career points or 10.5 ppg), Chanel Herrera (10.0 ppg in 2021-22 and 608 career points or 6.8 ppg), Julius Bonilla (380 career points or 7.5 ppg), Jonas Ramos, Jamir Brown, Travis Bruce, and Joshua Acevedo.

Key Newcomers:  Angel Ramos, Amaury Bruce, Diomer Henriquez, Dennis Feliciano, and Johnkelly Jimenez.

Players Playing in College:  Peter Gamba (Ramapo)andJayden St. Rose (St. Elizabeth University).

Team Roster:

Team Schedule:

Summary:  The Knights lost Jayden St. Rose to graduation (now playing college hoops at St. Elizabeth University in Morristown), but have the likes of seniors Ryan Witte and Adam Scire along with sophomores Krish Patel and Brandon Medel.  Head coach Jim Macomber is quite high on his sophomore class, which showed great promise in the 2021 Middlesex JV Summer League.  Old Bridge has developed a knack of having great three point shooters with Patel being the latest in line.  Sophomores Medel, Jayden Colon and Noah Balbuena also have the shooting touch.  Danny Singleton, the son of Cedar Ridge and Old Bridge standout, Dan Singleton, is another talented sophomore to watch.

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School:  Piscataway

Team Nickname:  Chiefs

Head Coach:  Darius Griffin Sr. (7th Season)

Career Coaching Record:  75-64

Coaching Record At School:  75-64

GMC Hoops Pre-Season Rank:  4th

GMC Hoops Predicted Finish in Division:  4th

Last Year’s Overall Record: 11-12

Last Year’s Division Record:  9-7 (4th in GMC Red)

Last Year’s Conference Record:  11-10

Last Year’s PPG:  59.4 (12th in GMC)

Last Year’s PAPG:  56.7 (19th in GMC)

Last Year’s PDPG:  2.7 (15th in GMC)

Last Year’s Accomplishments:  Reached GMCT Quarterfinals and Qualified for North Jersey Section 2 Group 4 State Tournament

2022 Off-Season Leagues:  Peak Spring League, Linden Summer League, Piscataway Fall League, Piscataway Freshmen Summer League, 

Key Players Returning:  Isaiah Shepard (11.8 ppg in 2021-22), Stanley Velasco, Ja’Kiir Waites, Jacob Lyerly, Nate Carmin, and Joel Polynice.

Key Players Lost:  Jonan Vargas (16.5 ppg in 2021-22 and 260 career points or 13.7 ppg)

Key Newcomers:  Shaan Swam

Players Playing in College:  Aaron Austin (Middlesex), Antonio Chandler (Franklin-Pierce), and Ahmed Barba-Bey (Jefferson).

Team Roster:

Team Schedule:

Summary:  

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School:  South Brunswick

Team Nickname:  Vikings

Head Coach:  Joe Hoehman (16th Season)

Career Coaching Record:  205-151

Coaching Record At School:  205-151

GMC Hoops Pre-Season Rank:  5th

GMC Hoops Predicted Finish in Division:  5th

Last Year’s Overall Record: 19-9

Last Year’s Division Record:  10-6 (3rd in GMC Red)

Last Year’s Conference Record:  14-7

Last Year’s PPG:  60.0 (11th in GMC)

Last Year’s PAPG:  53.9 (12th in GMC)

Last Year’s PDPG: 6.1 (11th in GMC)

Last Year’s Accomplishments:  Reached GMCT Quarterfinals and Central Jersey Group 4 Semifinals.

2022 Off-Season Leagues:  East Brunswick Team Camp, Odie Page Summer League, and Bridgewater Summer League

Key Players Returning:  Robert Pasquale (288 career points or 7.2 ppg), Kenneth Ponteras, Shrey Mehta, Hosman Martinez, Jude Bergman, and Steven LaRosa

Key Players Lost:  Joshua Taveras (206 career points or 6.4 ppg) and Rayyan Alidina

Key Newcomers:  David Yacka, Isaiah Aiyegbo, and Thomas Polakiewicz.

Players Playing in College:  Justin Carbone (South Brunswick), Ty Murchison (Ramapo), Devin Strickland (Brookdale), Christian Magnum (South Brunswick) and Rafael Estevez (South Brunswick).

Team Roster:

Team Schedule:

Summary:  

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School:  St. Joseph’s

Team Nickname:  Falcons

Head Coach:  Jan Cocozziello (4th Season)

Career Coaching Record:  51-20

Coaching Record At School:  51-20

GMC Hoops Pre-Season Rank:  3rd

GMC Hoops Predicted Finish in Division:  3rd

Last Year’s Overall Record: 21-7

Last Year’s Division Record:  15-1 (1st in GMC Red)

Last Year’s Conference Record: 17-3

Last Year’s PPG:  71.0 (2nd in GMC)

Last Year’s PAPG:  57.6 (20th in GMC)

Last Year’s PDPG:  13.4 (3rd in GMC)

Last Year’s Accomplishments:  Won GMC Red Division, Reached GMCT and Non-Public A South Semifinals.

2022 Off-Season Leagues:  Hamilton Park Summer League, NJ Live

Key Players Returning:  Brandon Gasiewski (13.7 ppg in 2021-22 and 683 career points or 11.6 ppg), Gavin Pelkey (12.6 ppg in 2021-22 and 289 career points or 12.6 ppg), Josiah Floyd, Jake Eberle, Jianny Caraballo, and Angel Barillas.

Key Players Lost:  Anthony Vella (3.9 ppg in 2021-22 and 153 career points and 218 career rebounds or 3.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg).

Key Newcomers:  Luke Nemeth, Giro Castaldo, Marquez Garner, and Jadiel Vasques.

Players Playing in College:  Zach Martini (Princeton), Khalif Battle (Temple),Ethan Simmon (New Haven), Letrell West (Kean), Howard McBurnie (Drew),Eli Barlow (Ramapo),Kody Robinson (USMMA) and Darren Tuck (Dodge City CC)

Team Roster:

Team Schedule:

Summary:  

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School:  St. Thomas Aquinas

Team Nickname:  Trojans

Head Coach:  Bob Turco (17th season total; 5th Season at Aquinas – Was 96-44 in five seasons at Monroe, and 158-45 in seven seasons at Notre Dame)

Career Coaching Record:  334-108

Coaching Record At School:  80-19

GMC Hoops Pre-Season Rank:  1st

GMC Hoops Predicted Finish in Division:  1st

Last Year’s Overall Record: 27-2

Last Year’s Division Record:  14-0 (1st in GMC White)

Last Year’s Conference Record: 19-0

Last Year’s PPG:  73.2 (1st in GMC)

Last Year’s PAPG:  44.0 (1st in GMC)

Last Year’s PDPG:  29.2 (1st in GMC)

Last Year’s Accomplishments:  Won Boardwalk Classic Holiday Tournament, GMC White Division and GMCT Championship; Reached Non-Public A South Semifinals.

2022 Off-Season Leagues:  Raritan Bay Summer League, Rider Team Camp, Linden Team Camp, NJ Live, Philly Live, and Nine X Showcase.

Key Players Returning:  Brandon Gasiewski (13.7 ppg in 2021-22 and 683 career points or 11.6 ppg), Gavin Pelkey (12.6 ppg in 2021-22 and 289 career points or 12.6 ppg), Josiah Floyd, Jake Eberle, Jianny Caraballo, and Angel Barillas.

Key Players Lost:  Anthony Vella (3.9 ppg in 2021-22 and 153 career points and 218 career rebounds or 3.6 ppg and 5.2 rpg).

Key Newcomers:  Luke Nemeth, Giro Castaldo, Marquez Garner, and Jadiel Vasques.

Players Playing in College:  Quadry Adams (Sacramento State), Tristian Jefferies (Robert Morris), Jaquan Harris (Seton Hall), Adam Silas (Wofford), Derrick Grant (Southern New Hampshire), Hassan Jackson (Georgian Court), Kyree Henry (St. Thomas Aquinas), Samar Abdullah (St. Thomas Aquinas), and Derrick Golden (St. Thomas Aquinas).

Team Roster:

Team Schedule:

Summary: