Team: Bishop Ahr
Coach: Dennis O'Keefe
Year: 13th
Assistant Coaches: Bob Johnston, Rocky Prosdocimo, Tom Roarty
Last Year's Overall Record: 12-10
Last Year's Division Record: 9-5, Tied for 3rd Place
Last Year's Accomplishments: Qualified for the South Jersey Parochial A State Tournament
Last Year's JV Record: 11-9
Last Year's Freshman Record: 13-9

Returning Starters: Ernst Ambroise (6'3", 185, Jr. F, 6 ppg) and Corey Francisco (6'3", 185, So. G, 10 ppg)

Returning Reserves: Adam Drici (6'3", 190, Sr. C), Elie Maroun (5'10", 145, Sr. G, 3 ppg), and Chris Ciardello (6'0", 175, Sr. F)

Key Losses From Last Season: Mario Campo (5'7", Sr. G, 12 ppg), Steve Holmes (5'9", Sr. G, 11 ppg), and Keenan Thomas (6'4", Sr. F, 9 ppg)

Key Newcomers: Wesley Buffalo (6'1", 160, Jr. G, 11 ppg--JV), Dan Hurley (6'2", 230, So. F), Drew Newcomb (5'8", Sr. G)

View the Complete Bishop Ahr Roster

View the Bishop Ahr Season Schedule

Outlook: The Trojans did lose a good deal of production from last season with the losses of Steve Holmes, Mario Campo, and Keenan Thomas. However, Ahr will have Ernst Ambroise and Corey Francisco returning as well as newcomers Wesley Buffalo and Dan Hurley along with increased minutes from Adam Drici and Elie Maroun.

Bishop Ahr had a very productive off-season with the team competing again at Middlesex County College, where they finished first in the regular season standings of the National Division, one game ahead of Perth Amboy Vo-Tech. In the playoffs, they lost a tough game in the Quarterfinals to eventual champion, and Blue Division rival South River, 40-37.

Younger players also had more opportunity to develop in the Colonia JV Summer League. While the likes of Mark Simko (who also played in the Raritan Bay Summer League), had their shares of ups and downs in the league, the Junior Trojans still managed to compete well, and finish 4-5 in a much tougher league than last year.

In addition to their work over the summer, Bishop Ahr also competed in the HawksBasketball Fall-Ball Classic for the first time ever, and although they didn't make the qualify for the playoffs with only a 2-8 mark, the Trojans still put in another ten games that will help their youngsters improved, and get everyone to get familiar with one another better. Coach O'Keefe is cautiously optimistic. "If we get after people on the defensive end, and make good decisions with the basketball, we should be ok."

BGA also has a better chance to improve in the Blue Division standings this year because one of the top teams in the division the past couple years, New Brunswick, has moved up to the White while J.F. Kennedy of Iselin has moved down. Moreover, teams such as Spotswood and South River took some hits due to graduation while Cardinal McCarrick lost key people such as Mike Garcia and Billy Wagner to graduation as well.

GMC Hoops feels that the Trojans will be in a dog fight with J.F. Kennedy and South River for second place in the division, and depending on how the Mustangs fare early on, and how South River handles life without J.J. Adelino, Bishop Ahr appears to be in the driver's seat for now with an outside shot at giving McCarrick some trouble. Youngsters like Wesley Buffalo and Dan Hurley will be key.

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Team: Cardinal McCarrick
Coach: Joe Lewis
Year: 10th
Assistant Coaches: Pat Kennedy, Darrel Pratt, Mike Biabalo, and Kevin Burns
Last Year's Overall Record: 20-5
Last Year's Division Record: 14-0, First Place
Last Year's Accomplishments: Second Consecutive Blue Division Title, and Seventh Consecutive Division Title (5 straight in Gold), Reached GMCT and Parochial B South State Semifinals.
Last Year's JV Record: 18-3
Last Year's Freshman Record: 16-5

Returning Starters: Kevin Olivieri (6'1", 170, Sr. G) and Donnie Reid (5'11", 160, Sr. G)

Returning Reserves: J.V. Obaze (6'4", 185, Sr. C) and Steve Liberty (5'10", 170, Sr. G)

Key Losses From Last Season: Billy Wagner (6'4", F), Mike Garcia (6'0", G), Marcus Jones (5'9", G), and Yarek Koslowski (5'10", G)

Key Newcomers: Vincente Rosario (5'10", 165, So. G), Alex Batista (6'1", 185, Jr. F), Mike Costello (6'4", 180, Jr. F), Rolffi Canela (5'7", 150, So. G), and Steve Calvarusso (6'0", 170, Jr. G)

View the Complete Cardinal McCarrick Roster

View the Cardinal McCarrick Season Schedule

Outlook: Despite taking some hits to graduation including the losses of standout players Mike Garcia and Billy Wagner, the foundation to the championship run McCarrick has had, the Eagles appear to be still a strong contender for the conference title, state sectional title, and favorite to win the Blue Division for a third consecutive year.

According to Coach Joe Lewis, "We look to be very good offensively, but need to establish an inside presence both offensively and defensively." Jayvee Obaze, who has had some ups and downs from last basketball season, and this past summer, looks much improved and more aggressive, which should help fill the void left behind by Wagner. McCarrick has gone to a more up-tempo style, which gives fans at the South Amboy school as well as other GMC schools something to look forward to when the team plays.

Over the summer, McCarrick competed at the Linden Summer League in the Monday/Wednesday Division with the likes of Linden, Roselle Catholic, St. Mary's of Elizabeth, GMC rival Colonia, and Susan Wagner of Staten Island. In addition, the Eagles participated at the Eastern Invitational Team Camp at the College of New Jersey, and the Rebounds Elite Team Camp.

Between the times we saw them at Eastern and Rebounds Elite, the team showed much improvement. At Eastern, McCarrick was handled soundly by Montgomery of the Skyland Conference. But, then, at the Rebounds Elite team camp, the Eagles played much better with easy wins over Monsignor Farrell of Staten Island (won by 20), and St. John Vianney of Holmdel from the Shore Conference (won 51-31). Cardy Mac didn't play anywhere during the fall.

However, the Junior Varsity squad did compete in the Colonia JV Summer League, where the squad, which was led by Rolffi Canela, played a run and gun style that teams such as South Plainfield, Bishop Ahr, and J.P. Stevens couldn't keep up with. The Junior Eagles ended the regular season with a 6-3 overall record, which earned them the sixth seed in the tournament. In the playoffs, McCarrick won its first round contest over J.P. Stevens, 38-28, but then lost a heartbreaker in overtime to one of the two Colonia teams, 56-50.

We were able to catch a glimpse of the high octane, run and gun offensive style of Cardinal McCarrick recently in their season opener against J.F. Kennedy of Iselin. Olivieri looked tremendous with strong shooting mechanics, great poise and fakes as he pumped in 26 points including 18 in the first half. Donnie Reid was his typical self with 16 points including four three pointers, and Vincente Rosario looks to be one of the top newcomers with a double-double performance of 23 points and 11 assists.

"The key to our season will be how long it takes to become solid defensively, and on the glass. We're small, but all around. Looking for another successful season", says Lewis. GMC Hoops couldn't agree more. We believe that the Eagles are a solid favorite to win the Blue Division for the third straight season, and if they can continue their improvement inside as well as tighten up on defense a bit better (allowed 70 points against JFK in their opener), Cardinal McCarrick could be right in the thick of things come February in the GMC Tournament.

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Team: Highland Park
Coach: Tom Scalafani
Year: 2nd
Assistant Coaches: Glenn Kertes and Rich Mcglen
Last Year's Overall Record: 4-14
Last Year's Division Record: 3-11, Tied for Sixth Place
Last Year's Accomplishments: None
Last Year's JV Record: 4-12
Last Year's Freshman Record: 2-12

Returning Starters: Alieu Bangura (6'7",180, Jr. F), Josh Price (6'3", 175, Sr. F) and Anson Devonish (6'0", 170, Sr. F)

Returning Reserves: Wesley Hedden (5'11", 165, So. G), Rob Hrapsky (6'0", 180, Sr. G), Reuven Szleifer (6'3", 180, Sr. G), Isaac Gable-Frank (5'10", 160, Sr. G), Rafieu Deen-Cole (5'9", 150, Sr. G), and Sam Wolpert (6'4", 160, Jr. G)

Key Losses From Last Season: Anthony Bey (6'2", G), Al-Tariq Stephenson (5'7", G), and Ben Masur (5'9",G)

Key Newcomers: Nick Wimberley (5'10", 150, Jr. G), Cecilio Luciano (5'10", 150, Jr. G), Robert Rubenstein (5'10", 155, So. G), and Mike Burwell (6'1", 150, Fr. G)

View the Complete Highland Park Roster

View the Highland Park Season Schedule

Outlook: The Owls are looking to improve on last year's 4-14 overall record, and reach .500 to qualify for the Central Jersey Group I Tournament, which they have not been in since winning it for two consecutive years in 2001 and 2002. The Owls have a relatively young team with only two seniors, two juniors, and a freshman in the starting lineup. Nevertheless, Coach Scalafani remains optimistic. "We should compete in the league. Our goal is to get to .500 to make the States."

Alieu Bangura is one of the keys for Highland Park. He has a lot of promise being a player at 6'7". He can rebound and block shots, but will need to raise his game offensively a bit this year especially with the loss of Anthony Bey to graduation. Josh Price figures to be one of the scorers on the team. Last year, he came up with solid performances in defeat against Bishop Ahr and South River.

One player that Scalafani is really high on is Freshman, Mike Burwell. A 6'1" guard, Burwell is one of the starters on this year's edition of the Owls. "Burwell is a 6'1" guard who can score and is an excellent passer," says Scalafani. Other key players to watch are Rob Hrapsky, who can score from the perimeter, Anson Devonish, and Nick Wimberley. Over the summer, the Owls competed at the Middlesex County Summer League, where they got off to a solid start by winning four of their first five, but tailed off at the end as they ended up with a 4-4 overall record.

In the playoff round, things didn't get any better as the Owls lost to next door neighbor, Edison, 38-18 in the opening round, and then to A.L. Johnson in the consolation bracket. So, Highland Park ended the summer losing five games in a row. The key for the Owls will be winning games against foes such as Metuchen, Spotswood, and Middlesex as well as stealing a few from the contenders such as South River, Bishop Ahr, and J.F. Kennedy. Doing well in the Brearley Holiday Tournament would also help as well.

GMC Hoops feels that this team will probably win a few more games, but it will be tough to get to .500. Especially playing the likes of McCarrick, Bishop Ahr, JFK, and South River twice along with Edison, Princeton, and Perth Amboy Vo-Tech for interdivisional and non-conference opponents. A good start will be a big help to their chances.

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Team: J.F. Kennedy
Coach: Jamie Panko
Year: 2nd
Assistant Coaches: Jerry Smith
Last Year's Overall Record: 7-13
Last Year's Division Record: 4-10, Fifth Place
Last Year's Accomplishments: None
Last Year's JV Record: Not Available
Last Year's Freshman Record: Not Available

Returning Starters: Eliot Solop (6'5", 190, Sr. F) and Marc Terantino (5'10", 145, Sr. F)

Returning Reserves: Cory Rosenbuam (6'4", 215, Jr. C), Kevin Markussen (5'9", 168, Sr. G), and Vincent Marciano (5'11", 130, So. G)

Key Losses From Last Season: Bobby Jorgensen (6'3", F), Damien Gordon (5'10", G), Walter Smith (5'9", G), Nick Wahl (6'1", G/F), and Brian Nathanson (6'3", F)

Key Newcomers: Kyle Dunich (6'5", 190, Sr. F), Mike Gaudin (5'11, 190, Sr. F), Tim Reilly (6'0", 165, Sr. F), David Annetta (5'8", 150, Jr. G), Juan Carillo (5'10", 165, Jr. F), Miguel Otchere (5'8", 170, Jr. F), Mike Richie (5'11", 185, Jr. F), Daniel Brown (5'9", 130, So, G), and Mike Terantino (5'8", 149, So. G)

View the Complete J.F. Kennedy Roster

View the J.F. Kennedy Season Schedule

Outlook: The Mustangs should benefit from moving down into the Blue Division this season. In addition, they have Elliot Solop returning after being out all last season with a leg injury. However, they did suffer a number of losses to graduation, and are a bit inexperienced. On top of that, the varsity did not play in any summer leagues over the summer although they did scrimmage other teams such as Carteret.

The Junior Varsity, on the other hand, did compete in the Colonia Junior Varsity Summer League, and fared alright with a lot of youngsters that are getting some minutes varsity this season benefiting from the experience. The team ended up with a 5-4 overall record, and was seeded seventh in the tournament. In the playoff rounds, JFK opened up against Bishop Ahr, and defeated the Trojans, 57-33, but then lost to eventual champion, South Brunswick in the Quarterfinals, 49-32.

In the fall, the varsity did compete in the HawksBasketball Fall-Ball Classic, where they just missed the 16 team cutoff for the playoffs behind J.P. Stevens with a 3-7 overall record including losses to Hunterdon Central (49-36) and Franklin (56-33) of the Skyland Conference. On top of the heavy losses to graduation, the Mustangs suffered another tough loss when talented sophomore forward, J'Ron McDowell was ruled ineligible to play this season due to poor academics.

They also have had some difficulty with turnovers in the pre-season, and early regular season including 32 against Governor Livingston a week prior to the start of the regular season. They also had 21 in the season opener to Cardinal McCarrick. So, taking care of the basketball will have to be a top priority if the Mustangs are going to be competitive and not only battle for the Blue Division crown, but also qualify for the State Tournament in February and March.

GMC Hoops feels that despite the early season difficulties, the Mustangs should benefit from moving down a division, and should compete very well with the teams in the GMC Blue. A second, third, or fourth place finish is not out of the realm of possibility for JFK since they've played big schools the past several years. Also the return of Solop, and the development of Rosenbaum should give the Iselin school a big boost. The key will be how they do in their interdivisional and non-conference schedule, which includes the likes of Montgomery, Johnson Regional, Carteret, and crosstown rivals Colonia and Woodbridge.

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Team: Metuchen
Coach: Rich Stoner
Year: 1st
Assistant Coaches: Not Available
Last Year's Overall Record: 7-16
Last Year's Division Record: 3-11, Tied for Sixth Place
Last Year's Accomplishments: Won nearly four times more games than the year before and defeated Gold Division Champion Piscataway Vo-Tech in the Preliminary Round of the GMCT.
Last Year's JV Record: Not Available
Last Year's Freshman Record: Not Available

Returning Starters: Kevin Rush (6'1", Sr. G), Jerry Nichols (6'1", Sr. G), and Steve Thomas (6'3", Jr. F)

Returning Reserves: Lamar Nichols (6'0", So. F), Marquis Blakely (6'2", Jr. F), Nick Storts (6'1", Jr. F), and Eddy Darrah (6'1", Sr. F)

Key Losses From Last Season: Keith Walker (6'5", C)

Key Newcomers: Dejuan Miller (6'1", Fr. F)

View the Metuchen Season Schedule

Outlook: While the Bulldogs went through a coaching change, and didn't play in any summer leagues, team camps, or other summer events, they do have a good deal of talent returning from last year's improved 7-16 campaign, and look to have a season that will give them their first state tournament berth in nine seasons. First year head coach, Rich Stoner takes over for Lenny Reyes, who helped cultivate the young talent that won four times as many games they did two seasons ago as well as win their opening round GMCT game over Gold Division Champion and eighth seeded Piscataway Vo-Tech.

Leading the way will be senior guard, Kevin Rush, who had an average of nearly 12 points per game last season. Helping out will be Jerry Nichols and Steve Thomas, who are the other two returning starters. Other players that will be helping out will be sophomores Jon Brown and Lamar Nichols, who both have a lot of talent in spite of their youth. Marquis Blakely and Freshman Dejuan Miller will help Thomas fill the void left behind by the only graduate from last year's squad, 6'5" center, Keith Walker. While this is the third coaching change at Metuchen in the last four years, Stoner does know some things about the program after being a coach at the Middle School after being an assistant at Middletown South for three seasons.

The key for the Bulldogs will be how they play at the beginning of the year. Metuchen is playing in the Roselle Park Tournament, and against Governor Livingston in its first several non-conference games in addition to its typical Blue Division schedule. If this team can get off to a good start, it may be able to have a special season. GMC Hoops believes that the Bulldogs will be at least a .500 team in the Blue Division, and get their first state tournament berth in over a decade. The last time Metuchen won a sectional title was in 1987-88 when Larry Spigner led the school to its only GMC Tournament title.

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Team: Middlesex
Coach: Michael Hayes
Year: 3rd (8th overall)
Assistant Coaches: Kerry Ferrell, Dereal Finklin, and Jason McCann
Last Year's Overall Record: 3-19
Last Year's Division Record: 0-14, Eighth Place
Last Year's Accomplishments: None.
Last Year's JV Record: Not Available
Last Year's Freshman Record: Not Available

Returning Starters: Authnel Reid (5'10", Sr. G), Albert Carter (5'11", Sr. G), and David Earl (6'3", Sr. C)

Returning Reserves: Wesley Johnson (6'2", Sr. F), , Vinny Falcicchio (6'1", Jr. G/F), and Gary Brenner (6'1", Jr. F)

Key Losses From Last Season: Lewis Bland (6'0", G/F), Matt La Vigne (6'1", F), and Nick Schneider (6'0", F)

Key Newcomers: Jabree Sunkins (6'0", Jr. G/F), Robbie Tolomeo (6'3", Jr. C), Vincent Casale (5'10", Jr. G), Phil Barnes (6'3", Jr. F), Jonathan Chapparo (5'10", Sr. G), Steve LoRe (6'0", Jr. F), and Stpehen Powell (5'11", Jr. G/F)

View the Middlesex Season Schedule

Outlook: Middlesex is looking to improve after last year's 3-19 season, and eighth place finish in the Blue. Coach Hayes has some key veterans returning in Authnel Reid, Albert Carter, and David Earl while newcomers such as Jabree Sunkins, Vinny Casale, Robbie Tolomeo, and Phil Barnes are expected to add some more size up front as well as athleticism and hustle.

Over the summer, Middlesex played at the Middlesex County College Summer League as well as participated at Kean Team Week. The Blue Jays finished the summer 2-6 at MCC, which placed them in a three way tie for sixth place in the American Division with St. Peter's and East Brunswick Vo-Tech of the GMC Gold Division. In the playoff round, Middlesex lost a heartbreaker to Dunellen in two overtimes, 51-49 after rallying late in the game to tie things up.

Meanwhile, at Kean, the Blue Jays struggled overall as they had low turnout for the event, which hurt their effectiveness. Overall though, Coach Hayes thought that it was a "good experience that will hopefully benefit us in the long run." In addition, the Junior Varsity also competed again at the Colonia JV Summer League, where it went winless in the regular season, and forfeited its first round playoff game versus Woodbridge.

Then, in the fall, Middlesex played in the HawksBasketball Fall-Ball Classic, where they played only seven games before dropping out of the league. The Blue Jays struggled there as well going 1-6 before pulling out of the league. GMC Hoops has seen Middlesex twice already this year, and believes that this team is much improve with the likes of newcomer Jabree Sunkins in the lineup to go along with the solid play so far by Authnel Reid.

The Blue Jays gave Dunellen all that the Destroyers could handle in the Championship Game of the Mike Shello Tournament at Faber Gymnasium in Dunellen while also defeating a Roselle Park team that played quite well over the summer at MCC. Through seven games, Middlesex has compiled a 3-4 overall record, and could muster up six to eight wins on the season.

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Team: South River
Coach: Michael Del Aversano
Year: 1st as Head Coach (4th year overall with three as an assistant)
Assistant Coaches: Mike Daly, Rafael Rocha, and Dave Davidson
Last Year's Overall Record: 12-11
Last Year's Division Record: 6-8, Fifth Place
Last Year's Accomplishments: Qualified for the Central Jersey Group II State Tournament
Last Year's JV Record: 11-6
Last Year's Freshman Record: 9-7

Returning Starters: Zyhair Dotson (6'0", 195, Sr. F, 9.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.5 apg, and 1.3 spg) and Eric McDaniel (5'10", 180, Sr. PG, 6.4 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, and 1.1 spg)

Returning Reserves: Danny Kosko (6'0", 175, Sr. G), Horace Hill (6'3", 210, Jr. C), Joe LaSala (6'1", 175, So. F), and Matt Malgieri (5'8", 170, Sr. G)

Key Losses From Last Season: Tyreek Robinson (5'10" G, 4.5 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.0 apg, and 1.1 spg), Lee Matech (6'3" C, 7.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.0 apg, and 1.0 bpg), Robert Hickey (5'11" F, 9.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, and 1.5 apg), and J.J. Adelino (5'9", G, 7.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.7 apg, and 1.7 spg)

Key Newcomers: Ron Litz (5'11, 215, Jr. G), Marty McGough (5'10", 175, Jr. G), Jason Martin, (6'1", 290, Jr. F), Horace Hill (6'3", 210, Jr. C), Emil Imbriano (5'11", 235, Jr. F), and Matt Malgieri (5'8", 170, Sr. G).

View the Complete South River Roster

View the South River Season Schedule

Outlook: After several years of struggle, the foundation built by former Coach Carl Buffalino, who is now the Athletic Director at South River, bore fruit last year with the Rams' first State Playoff Appearance in almost ten years. Then, over the summer the Rams continued to improve with an appearance at the Kean Team Week Team Camp, where they went 5-5 including quality wins over Roxbury and North Brunswick after losing their first five games by eight points or less, and the Middlesex County College Summer League, where they won the Championship over St. Joseph's.

One key loss from a year ago will be that of former point guard, J.J. Adelino, who decided to put more off an emphasis on football, where he led the Rams to a state playoff appearance, and a fine showing in the much tougher White Division. Adelino is reportedly being looked at by some Ivy League schools for football. As far as the fortunes of the Rams Boys Hoops squad, Adelino's loss with hurt in the area of senior leadership, and scoring.

With that, the hopes of the season will rest on talented Eric McDaniel, who came off the bench for much of last season. McDaniel's floor leadership will be paramount to the success of the Rams. South River will have a lot of size and depth underneath with the likes of Zyhair Dotson along with Joe LaSala, son of Colonia football's Head Coach Ben LaSala. In addition the Rams have plenty of beef coming off the bench with newcomers Horace Hill, Jason Martin, Emil Imbriano, and Josh Williams.

According to new head coach DelAversano, who was appointed to the position last summer, "South River looks to improve on last year's 12-11 record. The team will be led by three seniors Dotson, McDaniel, and Dan Kosko." Expected production is included from juniors Ron Litz, Marty McGough, Jason Martin, Horace Hill, and Emil Imbriano. We also expect contributions from sophomore Josh Williams and further development from Joe LaSala."

GMC Hoops believes that this will be another year that the Rams make the State Tournament. With New Brunswick moving up to the White, and J.F. Kennedy moving down along with graduation losses by Spotswood, and Bishop Ahr, the Rams are a good bet for at least fourth in the Blue Division, and perhaps third. Overcoming Cardinal McCarrick will be difficult though.

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Team: Spotswood
Coach: Steve Mate
Year: 10th
Assistant Coaches: Danny Fredericks and Mike Kneller
Last Year's Overall Record: 16-9
Last Year's Division Record: 9-5, Tied for 3rd Place
Last Year's Accomplishments: Won South Amboy Holiday Tournament and Qualified for Central Jersey Group II State Tournament
Last Year's JV Record: Not available
Last Year's Freshman Record: Not available

Returning Starters: Greg Becker (6'0", 160, Sr. G), Mike Dubovick (5'9", 175, Sr. G), and John Dubovick (6'1", 180, Sr. G)

Returning Reserves: Bill Becker (6'0", Sr. G/F), Travis Retzloff (6'1", Sr. F/C), Rob Thuring (5'10", Jr. G), Steve Curry (5'10", Sr. G), and Steve Abbott (5'8", Sr. G)

Key Losses From Last Season: Tim Logan (6'0", G), Dan Osofsky (6'0", G), Ricki Pace (6'0", G), Bob Sannwaldt (6'1", F), Ryan Scanlon (5'11", G), and Eric Hines (6'1", F)

Key Newcomers: Bryan Osofsky (5'9", 165, So. G), Zack Olesinski (5'11", Jr. G), and Mike Hohman (5'7", So. G)

View the Complete Spotswood Roster

View the Spotswood Season Schedule

Outlook: The Chargers have taken some heavy losses in the past two seasons, particularly last year when they lost six key players to graduation from a team that finished tied for third in the division, and was 16-9 overall. They do have some reserves coming back from last year's team including Greg Becker, Mike Dubovick, and John Dubovick. They also have other players such as Steve Abbott looking to make a bigger contribution this year as well as solid newcomers such as sophomore Bryan Osofsky, the younger brother of Dan Osofsky, who starred for the team last year.

Spotswood did compete in the Middlesex County College Summer League while their JV squad attempted to play in the Colonia JV Summer League. However, the Junior Varsity team pulled out of Colonia midway through the season after starting out with an 0-4 record. Meanwhile, the Varsity went through their expected struggles at Middlesex although they did put together a nice come from behind win over Union Catholic, 47-40 in Week Three of the Summer. The Chargers ended up 3-5 overall in the National Division, and then they proceeded to lose to eventual champion, South River, 47-24 in the first round, and decided to forfeit their consolation round game against Monroe.

Spotswood did not compete in the Fall-Ball Classic in Woodbridge during the fall pre-season. Non-conference and interdivisional games include games in the South Amboy Holiday Tournament, where they have won it two years in a row, Timothy Christian, which as of the time of this report, was 5-2 following a loss to undefeated Rutgers Prep, Monroe, Edison, and Perth Amboy Vo-Tech. None of those games are gimmes although Monroe and Edison have not one many games the past two seasons.

In addition, the Chargers already started the season with a tough 68-62 loss against an improved Metuchen squad, and have to play a solid South River team prior to the holidays. Then, there are of course, the usual matchups against Cardinal McCarrick and Bishop Ahr as well as new Blue Division member, J.F. Kennedy. So, this schedule coupled with the loss of key players the past two seasons, add up to make it very difficult for Spotswood to have a season like the past several.

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