Patriots’ Standout to Play for Landmark Conference Champs
COLONIA, NJ—Although Colonia’s Billy Anderson is headed to the next level, he will still be playing for a championship contender. Several days ago, Anderson announced his commitment to attend Susquehanna University next fall. Anderson, who was a key contributor to Colonia’s drive to the 2022 GMCT Boys Final, and North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 Championship, will be playing for the Landmark Conference Champions.
Playing for the Garden State Heavyweights several years ago, Anderson first was noticed by GMC Hoops at the Raritan Bay Summer League in South Amboy. While Colonia contended for GMCT and North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 titles in 2019 and 2020, Anderson was excelling at the sub-varsity levels. Anderson and his Garden State Heavyweights teammate Mike Howell, led Colonia’s JV to the 2020 East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament Championship.
During the 2020-21 season, Anderson saw limited action off the bench as Colonia finished second in the GMC White. The Patriots went on to win the Karl Anthony Towns-Jay Williams Pod over its division rival, St. Thomas Aquinas. Anderson did contribute to Colonia’s 80-64 victory over Aquinas for the title with 5 points and 3 rebounds. As a junior, Anderson just scored 20 points and grabbed 18 rebounds in 8 games played.
However, with the departures of the likes of Malik Kabia, Maurice Johnson, Ruben Reyes, and Jordan Derkack, Anderson’s role became more significant in 2021-22. Combining with classmate, Saivon Pressley, Anderson helped Colonia compile a 25-5 overall record. In addition, the Patriots finished second in the GMC White at 12-2, runner-up in the 2022 GMCT, and won its 3rd sectional title in the last 7 years.
In 2021-22, Anderson played in all 30 of Colonia’s games. He made 153 total field goals including 14 three pointers while sinking 63 from the foul line for a total of 383 points. Anderson also collected 169 rebounds, 61 assists, 35 blocks, and 28 steals according to stats compiled at NJ.com. To put it another way, Anderson averaged 12.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.2 blocks, and nearly a steal per contest.
A member of Colonia’s varsity basketball team for the past three years, Anderson played in 41 games. During that span, Anderson made 162 total field goals including 16 three pointers, and 65 foul shots to tally 405 career points. Furthermore, Anderson also collected 189 rebounds, 64 assists, 36 blocks, and 31 steals. He averaged 9.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.9 blocks, and 0.8 steals per game.
This past season, Anderson scored in double figures 21 times including two games with 20 points or more. He had a career high 21 points in a 56-48 victory over Edison at home on January 20th. Anderson collected a career high 10 rebounds in an 88-40 victory at Sayreville on December 23, 2021. He also scored 18 points in that game for his only career double-double.
Over his three year varsity career, Colonia compiled an overall record of 58-16 including a 24-6 mark in the GMC White. The Patriots also finished in the top three in the White Division each year, reached the GMCT Elite Eight twice, appeared in a GMCT Final, won the GMC’s Championship Pod, made two North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 final appearances, and won a N2G3 sectional crown.
Meanwhile, Susquehanna is hitting full stride in their men’s basketball program. The River Hawks recently won the 2022 Landmark Conference Championship by defeating Drew University, 76-68 on February 26th. Susquehanna reached the NCAA Division 3 Tournament’s second round in Newport News, Virginia before bowing out.
The River Hawks finished 24-5 overall including a 13-1 mark in the Landmark Conference in 2021-22. Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced Susquehanna to cancel all of its regular season games. Two seasons ago, the River Hawks almost had an identical season to this year. Susquehanna finished 21-8 overall including an 11-3 record in the Landmark Conference.
Moreover, the River Hawks went on to win the conference tourney championship as well as reach the 2nd round of the NCAA Division 3 Tournament. Three years ago, in 2018-19, Susquehanna finished 16-10 overall and 9-5 in conference. The River Hawks lost to Moravian in the Landmark Conference Tournament semifinals.
Congratulations Billy, and best wishes for success in the years ahead.
