Despite Changes, the Beat Goes on at St. Joseph’s
SOUTH PLAINFIELD, NJ–Coming into the season, the St. Joseph’s Falcons, the defending Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament champion, underwent many changes during the offseason. In addition to the graduation of Bree Tyree (University of Mississippi) and Tyus Battle (Syracuse University), there were 10 different players including three in last season’s varsity rotation that transferred to other schools.
Despite all of that, St. Joseph’s is playing well, and in contention early on in both the GMC Red and the conference. The Falcons have won their first six games of the season including a come from behind opening night win over East Brunswick, a solid win on the road at an improved Piscataway, and three straight wins in a tough holiday tournament down in Neptune.
With four freshmen and two sophomores on its roster, and only three players with any previous varsity experience from a year ago, head coach, Dave Turco has been forced to adapt to his talent, and done so quite well. Letrell West, who earned GMC Hoops Player of the Week Honors for week one of the season, and was selected MVP of the Neptune Holiday Jubilee, has led the way.
Averaging 20.3 points per game through the first six games, West has scored in double figures in each game including a season to date high of 27 in a 54-50 win over Monroe on December 22nd in Metuchen, and 24 points against Lakewood in the semifinals of the Neptune Holiday Jubilee on December 28th. West has tallied 122 points on 27 field goals, 12 three pointers, and 32 free throws. He is also averaging 5.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.7 steals per game as well.
West, who was selected to the GMC Hoops All Defensive Team last season, is not the only reason for the Falcons success. Senior point guard, Mike Granda has been a key ingredient with his leadership and steady play. Through six games, Granda is averaging 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.8 assists per game. In the 49-47 upset win over top seeded Seton Hall Prep in the Championship of the Neptune Holiday Jubilee, Granda chipped in with 13 points.
Over the summer and fall, senior center Malachi Walker benefited from increased playing time with improved numbers and solid performances in the Linden Summer League playoffs and the Immaculata Fall League. Now, Walker, who had 6 blocks in the victory over Lakewood in the Neptune Holiday Jubilee semifinals, grabbed 11 boards and blocked 4 more shots in the final against Seton Hall Prep. Walker is averaging 4.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, 6 blocks, 1.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game so far this season.
The Falcons youth movement has also made significant contributions that this year’s team would have never been successful thus far without. Freshman Tyree Taganeca-Ford had 10 points in the opening night win over East Brunswick, and 11 in the victory over Monroe. Taganeca-Ford is averaging 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.8 assists per game. Fellow freshman, Richard Greaves has also played well with 17 points in the win at Piscataway (70-48) on December 20th, and 10 points in the victory over Seton Hall Prep.
Through the first six games, Greaves is averaging 8.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.5 steals per game. Freshman big man, Zach Martini has chipped in with solid interior play and rebounding. Martini collected 5 points and 10 rebounds in the opening round win over Ewing (42-35) at the Neptune Holiday Jubilee, and tallied 6 points and 7 boards in the win over Piscataway. So far this season, Martini is averaging 2.8 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
Others on the roster that have chipped in along the way include Matt Crowley, who was MVP in the Perth Amboy/GMC Freshmen Tournament last season, Howard McBurnie, Ethan Hillman, and Daniel Young. In spite of the turnover this past off-season at St. Joseph’s, the Falcons are still doing well, and have a good chance of winning the GMCT for the 7th time in the last 8 years when the dust settles at the end of February.