Team: Dunellen
Coach: Bernie Buniak
Year: 4th
Assistant Coaches: Chris Van Vliet
Career Coaching Record: 66-63
Coaching Record At School: 48-30
Last Year's Overall Record: 14-13
Last Year's Division Record: 6-2, Second
Place
Last Year's Accomplishments: Won 10 of
12 games, Qualified for the 2008
Central Jersey Group I State Tournament
Last Year's JV Record: Not
Available
Last Year's Freshman Record: Not Available
Summer League Competed In: 2007
TBSA Summer League
Fall League Competed In: None
Returning Starters: Nick
Francisco (6'1", 175, Sr. PG), Jonard Hall (6'4", 180, Jr. F),
and Reggie Thorpe (6'2", 180, Sr. F)
Returning Reserves:
Rembert Armistad (5'11", 185, Sr. G), Luke Francisco (5'11",
175, Jr. G), Erick Orellana (5'11", 170, Sr. F), and Mark Palka (5'10",
170, Sr. G).
Key Losses From Last Season: T.J. Wenzel
(6'1", 165, F), Jim Schleppenbach (6'1", 165, G), and Brock
Mundy (6'4", 210, C)
Key Newcomers: Rontik Sadler (6'1", 175, So. G), Eric Cianfrone (6'2", 185, Sr. F), Alan-Michael Perryman (5'11", 180, Sr. G), Abe Kelley (6'0", 170, Jr. F), and Jeff O'Neill (5'11", 175, Sr. F)
View the Complete Dunellen Roster
View the Dunellen Season Schedule
Outlook: After starting last season with a 2-6 record in their first 8 games, the Destroyers came on strong against a very tough schedule by their standards with 10 wins in 12 games to set up a memorable matchup against South Amboy for the 2008 Gold Division Crown in February.
Dunellen had a seven point lead with a little more than a minute and a half to go only to have South Amboy come back, and win the game on a last second three pointer by Mark Simko for the Championship. Over the summer, the Destroyers competed in the TBSA Summer League, and defeated Edison in a last second thriller after falling behind late.
With South Amboy down afer losing four starters to graduation, and Amboy Tech losing Anthony Patterson, who transferred to Perth Amboy, the Destroyers have enough back as well as coming up, and look like the team to beat again in the GMC Gold. Dunellen has a chance at being pretty good despite losing T.J. Wenzel, Brock Mundy, and Jim Schleppenbach.
According to head coach, Bernie Buniak, this is "possibly the most athletic Dunellen team ever," and "Jonard Hall has a chance to become a dominant high school player." Nick Francisco (12 ppg) is an "excellent floor leader," who will try to improve upon last season's steady effort that included a stellar effort at the foul line. Younger brother, Luke Francisco saw limited minutes at the varsity level last year, and will be a key as a backup at both guard spots. Reggie Thorpe came on strong late in the season, and is a "skilled player with great hands" as well as "a good finisher around the basket.' Buniak is also enthusiastic about newcomer, Rontik Sadler, who is "the most gifted athlete in the program", and "will see major minutes."
Team: East Brunswick Vo-Tech
Coach: Jerry Del Guercio
Year: 2nd
Assistant Coaches: Tom Dagostino
Career Coaching Record: 11-12
Coaching Record At School: 11-12
Last Year's Overall Record: 11-12
Last Year's Division Record: 0-8, Fifth
Place
Last Year's Accomplishments: Won last
7 games to end the season.
Last Year's JV Record: 1-16
Last Year's Freshman Record: Not Applicable--No
Freshman Team
Summer
League Competed In: None
Fall League Competed In: None
Returning Starters: Kevin
Powell (6'1", 175, Sr. F), Cory Ragland (5'8", 150, Jr. G),
and Robert Brown (6'2", 185, So. C)
Returning Reserves: Matt Wanko (6'0",
175, Sr. F), Mark DeMaio (5'9", 155, Jr. G), Joe Franczyk (5'9",
145, Sr. G), Craig Pederson (6'0", 185, Sr. F), Tony Morrison (5'9",
150, Jr. G), Joe Rivera (6'0", 185, Jr. F/C), Gary Wolfe (5'10",
160, So. G), and Reggie Roussell (6'3", 145, Sr. C).
Key Losses From Last Season: Mike Viera
(6'1", 225, backup center)
Key Newcomers: Homer
James (6'1", 190, Jr. G)
View
the East Brunswick Vo-Tech Season Schedule
View the East Brunswick Vo-Tech Roster
Outlook: The Tigers are looking to make some strides this year after finishing last season on a very positive note with seven straight wins to come within a game of .500 at the end. More importantly though, the nucleus of this team has held together, which hasn't happened much in recent times over at East Brunswick Vo-Tech. Credit goes to Coach Del Guercio and his staff for keeping the team together, which will go a long way in providing further success this coming season.
Coach Del Guercio is looking to building on last season by being "more competitive in the conference," and "contend for the states." Reasonable goals for East Brunswick Tech this season would be to be .500 or better, qualify for the state tournament (which they haven't done since 2003), and most importantly, win a division game in the GMC Gold, which they haven't done in over two years (0-18) while going 3-25 since the 2005-06 campaign. According to Coach Del Guercio, the Tigers are "hoping to improve again this season. By the end of last year we were playing as a team and beating the teams we should."
Newcomer Homer James has grabbed the attention of Del Guercio, who feels he is a "gifted ball player with penetration skills." The 6'1" junior will be teaming up with Ragland and Powell, "who were forces last season." GMC Hoops All Diaper Dandy Selection, Robert Brown stood out as a freshman for the Tigers while DeMaio, Wanko, and Pederson were all spot starters last year. Moroever, the addition of Assistant Coach, Tom Dagostino, has been a big lift by bringing, "youth and energy to the coaching staff."
Team: Perth Amboy Vo-Tech
Coach: Art Wachtel
Year: 13th
Assistant Coaches: James Gallo
Last Year's Overall Record: 14-11
Last Year's Division Record: 3-5, Tied
for Third Place
Last Year's Accomplishments: Won 2007
NJTAC Holiday Tournament, Won 2008
GMCT Play-In Round Game, and Qualified for the 2008
Central Jersey Group I State Tournament
Last Year's JV Record: Not Available
at this time
Last Year's Freshman Record: Not Applicable--Don't
Have A Freshman Team
Summer League Competed In: 2007
Middlesex County College Summer League
Fall League Competed In: None
Returning Starters: Joey Castro (6'2",
175, Sr. G/F), Alex "A.J." Sanz (5'11", 135, Sr. G), and
Anthony Vidal (5'8", 130, Jr. G)
Returning Reserves: Jon Aquje (6'0",
150, Sr. F), Wilson Lopez (5'9", 155, Jr. G), Nelson Lopez (6'0",
160, Jr. G/F), and Jordan Cardenas (5'9", 165, Sr. G/F)
Key Losses From Last Season: No players
lost to graduation, but Anthony Patterson (6'2", 165, Sr. Guard/Forward)
transferred to Perth Amboy
Key Newcomers: Justin Hahn (6'0",
170, Jr. G/F), Malcolm Batts (5'9", 145, Fr. G), Rashad Adams (5'11",
160, Fr. F), Calvin Perry (5'11", 160, Jr. G/F), and Javon Bolt (5'9",
200, Jr. F)
View the Complete Perth Amboy Vo-Tech Roster
View the Perth Amboy Vo-Tech Season Schedule
Outlook: Despite losing Patterson, there is still optimism over at Perth Amboy Tech. The team, which has plenty of quickness, and likes to collect a lot of steals on defense, performed very well at MCC during the summer, and still have a talented player in Joey Castro (12.5 ppg and 5.5 rpg), who tended to be overlooked with Patterson around. Castro will now have the opportunity to show that he can play as well.
The Patriots return three starters from last year's team incluidng Castro, a senior captain, point guard Alex 'AJ' Sanz (7.1 ppg, 3.4 apg, and 2.8 spg), and Anthony Vidal, who averaged 8.2 ppg and 2.9 spg while leading the team in three pointers. Reservers Jon Aquije, Wilson Lopez, Nelson Lopez, and Jordan Cardenas look to pick up the slack, and fill the rest of the void left behind by Patterson. Amboy Tech has several newcomers that will provide some energy, and depending upon how well they come along, the team can finish between second and fourth place.
Perth Amboy Vo-Tech is looking to qualify for the state tournament for the third straight season, and fourth out of the last five. Coach Wachtel "hopes to continue its state tournament participation." The Gold Division looks to be competitive once again this coming year, and the "Patriot division standing will depend on how fast the newcomers can get into the mix."
Team: Piscataway Vo-Tech
Coach: Karl Towns
Year: 9th
Assistant Coaches:
Robert Freeney Jr.
Last Year's Overall Record: 8-9
Last Year's Division Record: 3-5, Tied
for Third Place
Last Year's Accomplishments: None
Last Year's JV Record: Not Available
Last Year's Freshman Record: Not Applicable--No
Freshman Team
Summer League Competed In: None
Fall League Competed In: None
Returning Starters: Tim
Leonard (5'10", 155, Sr. G), Mohammed Conteh (6'5", 180 Sr.
F), and Maurice Graves (6'4", 185, Sr. F)
Returning Reserves: Fernando
Reyes (5'8",
145, Sr. G) and Luis Mota (6'4", 200, Jr. F)
Key Losses From Last Season: Justiin
Braxton (6'5", 180, F) and Shaun Cruz (5'11", 150, G)
Key Newcomers: Mehadi
Robinson (6'0", 200, Jr. F)
View the Complete Piscataway Vo-Tech Roster
View
the Piscataway Vo-Tech Season Schedule
Outlook: The Raiders are always an intriguing team to figure out each year this time. Without a lot of information from their coach, they are a team shrouded in mystery as far as the GMC goes. The team did take some losses to graduation with the departures of Justin Braxton, who was the team's top player, and Shaun Cruz. However, Piscataway Vo-Tech, which did not compete in a summer league this year after playing at Middlesex back in 2007, has several key players returning including Leonard, Conteh, and Graves. The Raiders, which came to within a game of .500 at the end of last year, and finished tied with Perth Amboy Tech, will need to limit their turnovers, and get plenty of productivity from their three returning starters.
Team: South Amboy
Coach: Joseph Szaro
Year: 1st
Assistant Coaches: Greg Castello
Last Year's Overall Record: 17-8
Last Year's Division Record: 8-0, First
Place
Last Year's Accomplishments: Won the
GMC Gold for the first time ever, Won
the 2008
South Amboy Holiday Tournament, Reached the Quarterfinals of the 2008
Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament, and reached the Quarterfinals
of the 2008
Central Jersey Group I State Tournament.
Last Year's JV Record: 14-8
Last Year's Freshman Record: Not
Applicable--Do
Not Have Freshman Team
Summer League Competed In: Middlesex
County College
Fall League Competed In: None
Returning Starters: Joe Charmello (6'1,
175, Jr. G)
Returning Reserves: Matt Richmond (5'10",
150, Jr. G), Kenny
Scarbaggio (5'9", 150, Sr. G), Diego Cuello (6'3, 185, Sr. C), Dan
O'Connor (5'11", 165, Jr. G/F), Luke O'Connor (6'0", 165, Jr.
G/F), and Matt Reagan (5'10", 160, Jr. G)
Key Losses From Last Season:
Larry Lenahan (6'4", 225, G), Marko Simko (5'11", 160, G), Colin
Krzyzanowski (6'0", 150, G), and Steve Poltrictzky (6'4", 260,
G)
Key Newcomers: Matt Beaudry (6'0",
175 Jr. G/F), Tim Simko (6'0", 175, Jr. G), Craig Warzecha (6'2",
170, Jr. F/C), Dylan Brown (6'3", 185, Jr. C), and Dustin Devoe (6'2",
170, Jr. G/F)
View the Complete South Amboy Roster
View the South Amboy Season Schedule
Outlook: The Governors are coming off perhaps one of the best years in recent memory, and still believe that they can compete for the Gold Division Title. Despite losing four of five starters from last season as well as long time head coach, George Krzyzanowski, who retired after 30 years in coaching, South Amboy has a load of newcomers from a successful 14-8 JV campaign that iincluded a victory over Dunellen in the GMC Hoops JV Game of the Week toward the end of the 2007-08 season.
As a matter of fact, the JV program has done very well in Guvland the past two seasons with a combined mark of 24-10. Joey Charmello is the lone returning starter from last year's team while Matt Richmond came off the bench, and played significant minutes. The rest are realtively new, but have quickness and agility along with a determination and aggressiveness on the defensive side of the basketball that first year head coach Joe Szaro likes a lot. Szaro has had plenty of experience with these players since he coached them at the JV level the past two seasons so there is a lot of good chemistry between coach and players.
Recently, Szaro said of his team, "Even though we might be a little small underneath offensively, we are quick, agile, patient, and determined to succeed." This year, South Amboy will be looking to qualify for the state tournament for the third straight year, which is quite unprecedented for a basketball program that has always struggled to reach that goal in the past. Szaro has already outlined a number of goals for his team including: 1.) Competing for the GMC Gold Championship, 2.) Perform well in GMC Tourney play, 3.) Qualify for the State Tournament, and most importantly, 4.) Finish with a winning record.
There is still a lot to be excited about if you're a Guv Goonie! "The talent is here," said Szaro, "This is a team to watch."