Team: East Brunswick
Coach: Bo Henning
Year: 16th
Assistant Coaches: Mark Motusesky, Dave Nieskens, and Keith Lane
This Year's Overall Record: 10-12
This Year's Division Record: 6-8, Tied for Sixth Place
This Year's Conference Record: 8-11
This Year's Home Record: 5-6
This Year's Road Record: 5-6
This Year's Accomplishments: None
Longest Winning Streak Of Season: Won 2 Straight (three times)
Scoring Offense: 56.1 points per game (Ranked 14th in GMC)
Scoring Defense: 56.2 points per game allowed (Ranked 16th in GMC)
Point Differential: -0.1 points per game (Ranked 17th in GMC)
GMC Hoops Teamwork Rating: 51.2 (Ranked 8th)

Returning Starters: Josh Sims (5'10", 160, Sr. G) and Rick Laskay (5'10", 170, Sr. G)

Returning Reserves: Dan Fessel (6'2", 190, Sr. F), Tom Gadziala (6'2", 180, Jr. F), Kevin Motusesky (5'8", 145, Sr. PG), Jim McCloskey (5'6", 140, Jr. PG), and Josh Brandsdorfer (5'9", 155, Sr. G)

Key Losses From Last Season: Jason Jones (6'3",F), Jibril Holmes (6'0", G), Aaron Horace (6'2", C), Zach Simi (6'1", G), Evan Lubcher (5'9", G), Andrew Silver (5'11", G), and Tom Wagenblast (6'2", F)

Key Newcomers: Tom Gadziala (6'2", 180, Jr. F)

View the East Brunswick Season Ledger

Summary: The Bears had a promising start to the year with a very competitive game against host school Bridgewater, and wins over Morristown and Union in the Vaughn Stapleton Classic Round Robin as well as regular season wins over Edison and Woodbridge for a 4-2 record in their first six contests. However, EB lost 10 out of their last 16 to end the season including an upset loss to Monroe in the opening round of the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament at home. Quality wins for the Bears were two over Perth Amboy, Woodbridge, and Carteret. Nevertheless, the Bears were a very young team with a good crop of juniors coming up from a Junior Varsity squad that won the East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament back in the 2003-04 season. Most of them will be returning in 2005-06 so expect the Bears to be a very competitve team in the GMC Red.

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Team: Edison
Coach: Charlie Mohr
Year: 2nd
Assistant Coaches: Rob Roma and Bob Jones
This Year's Overall Record: 5-16
This Year's Division Record: 2-12, Eighth Place
This Year's Conference Record: 5-16
This Year's Home Record: 3-7
This Year's Road Record: 2-9
This Year's Accomplishments: Won Three More Regular Season Games, and Two More Division Games than previous year.
Longest Winning Streak Of Season: Won 1 Straight
Scoring Offense: 51.5 points per game (Ranked 25th in GMC)
Scoring Defense: 64.2 points per game allowed (Ranked 28th in GMC)
Point Differential: -12.7 points per game (Ranked Last in GMC)
GMC Hoops Teamwork Rating: 39.2 (Ranked Tied for 19th)

Returning Starters: Kyle Ringer (6'0", Sr. G), Dave Zavistoski (5'9", Jr. G) and Dan Flak (6'4", Sr. C)

Returning Reserves: Dan Hansson (6'2", Sr. F)

Key Losses From Last Season: Brian Muldowney (6'1", G), Mike Manfre (6'3", F), Marty McElrath (6'1", G), Anthony LaGrasso (6'4", C), and Kurt Gregory (6'4", F)

Key Newcomers: Sean Ogunnoiki (6'1", Jr. F), Nick Reider (5'9", Jr. G), and Justin Thompson (6'1", So. F).

View the Edison Season Ledger

Summary: Despite a season overall and division record that was well under .500 for the fourth season in a row, Edison made some strides in 2004-05 with three more regular season wins and two more division wins than in 2003-04. Another good sign is that many of the players from the 2004-05 season will be returning in 2005-06 along with a group of sophomores that was seeded fourth and reached the quarterfinals of the Perth Amboy/GMC Freshman Tournament. Quality wins for the Eagles on the season included: J.P. Stevens, Perth Amboy, and North Brunswick. Expect the Eagles to be better in 2005-06.

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Team: J.P. Stevens
Coach: James Cardillo
Year: 6th
Assistant Coaches: Dan Kelly and Jim McCarthy
This Year's Overall Record: 7-16
This Year's Division Record: 3-11, Seventh Place
This Year's Conference Record: 7-12
This Year's Home Record: 4-6
This Year's Road Record: 3-10
This Year's Accomplishments: Upset Piscataway, Woodbridge, Bishop Ahr, and Metuchen
Longest Winning Streak Of Season: Won 3 Straight
Scoring Offense: 51.7 points per game (Ranked 24th in GMC)
Scoring Defense: 58.7 points per game allowed (Ranked 22nd in GMC)
Point Differential: -7.0 points per game (Ranked 24th in GMC)
GMC Hoops Teamwork Rating: 38.0 (Ranked 24th)

Returning Starters: Ryan Washington (6'7", Sr. C, 6.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg, and 1.2 bpg), Kenny Melford (5'8", Jr. G, 10.6 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 1.8 apg, and 2.6 spg), Andrew Biancosino (6'3", Sr. G/F, 11 ppg, 4.9 rpg, and 1.9 apg), and Jason Callender (6'2", Sr. F, 8.4 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 1.7 apg, and 1.5 spg)

Returning Reserves: Kyle Trueblood (6'1", Sr., F) and John Hacker (6'0", Jr. G)

Key Losses From Last Season: Jared Schaber (5'10", G, 3.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 2.3 apg, and 1.0 spg) and Naglis Gaidamitchvius (6'1" G/F, 10.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 1.0 apg, and 1.0 spg)

Key Newcomers: Osbourne Mayers (6'1", Sr. F), Satvik Patel (6'3", Sr. F), Aaron Miller (5'7", Sr. PG), and Adam Kramen (6'2", Jr. F)

View the J.P. Stevens Season Ledger

Summary: Simply put, it was a very disappointing year for the Hawks, which were ranked eighth in the GMC Hoops Pre-Season Top Ten. A tough opening day, 50-45 loss at home to Piscataway followed up by usually tough holiday tournament schedule at the John "Butch" Kowal Tournament at Rahway High School, put J.P. Stevens in a deep hole that they couldn't get out of. Add to that the fact that Stevens lost to Perth Amboy, a team they've dominated in recent years, twice, and J.P. Stevens was unable to qualify for the state tournament with a 1-10 start. While JPS had plenty of offensive weapons with Andrew Biancosino, Jason Callender, and Ryan Washington, they lacked the stabilizing force at point guard that Jared Schaber was in 2003-04. Nevertheless, the Hawks did manage to salvage some of their season by going .500 down the stretch including big wins over Piscataway on the road, and at home against North Brunswick in two overtimes, Woodbridge, Bishop Ahr, and CJ Group I finalist Metuchen in the opening round of the GMCT. As a matter of fact, five of their six wins to end the season were against teams that qualified for the 2004-05 state tournament. The Hawks will have it very tough in 2005-06 with a younger and more inexperienced group of players to compliment lone returning starter, Kenny Melford.

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Team: Old Bridge
Coach: Rocky Knowles
Year: 16th
Assistant Coaches: Bill Leahy, Matt Gregorin, and Adam Klein
This Year's Overall Record: 12-12
This Year's Division Record: 8-6, Fourth Place
This Year's Conference Record: 11-7
This Year's Home Record: 7-4
This Year's Road Record: 5-8
This Year's Accomplishments: Reached Quarterfinals of the GMC Tournament, and Upset Piscataway
Longest Winning Streak Of Season: Won 4 Straight
Scoring Offense: 55.6 points per game (Ranked 16th in GMC)
Scoring Defense: 54.8 points per game allowed (Ranked 13th in GMC)
Point Differential: +0.8 points per game (Ranked 13th in GMC)
GMC Hoops Teamwork Rating: 35.2 (Ranked 26th)

Returning Starters: Khalil Bennett (6'1", Jr. G), Tim Lucas (6'2", Sr. G), Marcus Crawford (5'10", Sr. G), and Tom Spatafora (5'10", Sr. G)

Returning Reserves: Ray Reyes (5'10", Jr. G), John Zimmerlink (6'2", Jr. F), and Chris Donnelly (6'5", Jr. C)

Key Losses From Last Season: Eric Woroniecki (5'11", G), Mucktar Sei (5'11", G), and Travis Totka (6'4", C)

Key Newcomers: Rafael Vasco (6'2", Jr. G), Samuel Ayivor (5'11", So, G), Ray Brown (6'3", Fr. F), Akili Galloway (6'1", Jr. G)

View the Old Bridge Season Ledger

Summary: For the second straight year, the Old Bridge Knights defied the odds that GMC Hoops had against them, and put in a decent season although they missed qualifying for the state tournament for the second straight year. With the guard combination of Tim Lucas, Marcus Crawford, and Khalil Bennett, Old Bridge had the ability to put up good numbers. However, the lack of size, particularly in the front court, hurt them greatly especially in the GMC Red Division in 2004-05, where having a big man was a necessity, not a luxury. Non-conference teams such as Scotch Plains and Hightstown also took advantage of the Knights lack of height underneath for significant rebounding advantages. Now, with both Lucas and Crawford graduating, it is not going to get easier. Nevertheless, don't count out the Knights. They have several returning starters and reserves for next season, and an incoming freshman class that reached the GMC Middle School Tournament representing the Carl Sandburg Middle School so Old Bridge could still be hear from in 2005-06.

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Team: Perth Amboy
Coach: John Mazurek
Year: 28th
Assistant Coaches: Ken Ortiz and William Grant
This Year's Overall Record: 10-11
This Year's Division Record: 5-9, Sixth Place
This Year's Conference Record: 8-10
This Year's Home Record: 5-5
This Year's Road Record: 5-6
This Year's Accomplishments: Won St. Peter's Cardinal Classic Holiday Tournament, GMC Hoops Teamwork Award, and Upset St. Joseph's and Piscataway
Longest Winning Streak Of Season: Won 3 Straight (twice)
Scoring Offense: 65.6 points per game (Ranked 3rd in GMC)
Scoring Defense: 62.5 points per game allowed (Ranked 27th in GMC)
Point Differential: +3.1 points per game (Ranked 12th in GMC)
GMC Hoops Teamwork Rating: 72.1 (Ranked 1st)

Returning Starters: Jermaine Clark (5'11", 175, Sr. G)

Returning Reserves: Lamound McGibboney (5'9", 140, Jr. G), Jeff Gumbs (6'0", 220, Jr. F), and Juan Castillo (5'10", 155, Sr. G)

Key Losses From Last Season: Jefferson Mwango (6'4", F) and Jose Pena (6'2", F)

Key Newcomers: Darren Whitehead (6'5", 170, Sr. C) and Cedric Parrish (5'10", 140, Jr. G)

View the Perth Amboy Season Ledger

Summary: A brawl at the end of the previous school year doomed the Panthers from the start although they still managed to pull of a surprise by defeating GMC Hoops Pre-Season Number One, St. Joseph's on opening night as well as win the Cardinal Classic at St. Peter's for a 3-1 start. Amboy increased their stock by defeating J.P. Stevens handily on the road, and rolled past Manchester Regional for a 5-2 start. However, a close loss against St. Mary's of Elizabeth started to slide back down to reality for Amboy and their faithful. The Panthers finished the season with nine losses in their last ten games despite winning their opening round tournament game, and knocking off Piscataway on the road by one, 64-63. Brian Carty did come back at the beginning of February, but it was too late for a Perth Amboy team that showed a lot of potential in the fall by winning the 2004 HawksBasketball Fall-Ball Classic in Woodbridge.

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Team: Piscataway
Coach: Guy Jensen
Year: 1st
Assistant Coaches: Steve Makwinski and
This Year's Overall Record: 14-11
This Year's Division Record: 9-5, Third Place
This Year's Conference Record: 11-7
This Year's Home Record: 5-7
This Year's Road Record: 9-4
This Year's Accomplishments: Reached Quarterfinals of GMC Tournament, Qualified for North Jersey Section 2 Group IV State Tournament, and Upset St. Joseph's and South Brunswick.
Longest Winning Streak Of Season: Won 5 Straight
Scoring Offense: 57.6 points per game (Ranked 10th in GMC)
Scoring Defense: 52.1 points per game allowed (Ranked 5th in GMC)
Point Differential: +5.5 points per game (Ranked 9th in GMC)
GMC Hoops Teamwork Rating: 42.6 (Ranked 17th)

Returning Starters: Rodney Freeney (5'11", Jr. G) and Kent Scriven (6'2", Sr. F)

Returning Reserves: Allen Hairston (6'7", Sr. C) and Brandon Wilkinson (6'0", Sr. G)

Key Losses From Last Season: Manny Perotte (6'3", G), Brandon Beckford (6'0", G), Scott Miller (6'5", C), Charles Johnson (5'11", F), Andre Abdul-Raheem (6'3", F), Saidu Samura (6'2", F), and Chinasa Nworu (6'6", C)

Key Newcomers: Kenny Walker (5'9", Jr. G), Sherrod Parkins (6'1", Jr. F), James White (5'10", Fr. G), Ryan Shea (6'2", Jr. G/F), Anthony Davis (6'5", So. F), Joel Creyton (6'1", So. F), and Mike Gatens (6'2", Jr. F)

View the Piscataway Season Ledger

Summary: The Chiefs got off to their typical fast start with seven wins in their first eight games including victories over J.P. Stevens, St. Joseph's, Morristown, Union, Roselle, Old Bridge and East Brunswick. However, only one of those teams ened up over .500, and despite winning at South Brunswick to knock them from the top spot in the GMC Hoops Top Ten in late January, Piscataway ended up losing 10 of their last 17 contests including tough losses to Perth Amboy at home, Colonia in the GMCT Quarterfinals, Hillside on the road in a state tournament tune-up, and Newark East-Side in the opening round of the very difficult North Jersey Section 2 Group IV bracket. P-Way should be right back in the mix again for 2005-06 with a number of players returning including standout guard, Rodney Freeney, and newcomers such as Joel Creyton, Anthony Davis, and James White playing more varsity.

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Team: South Brunswick
Coach: Dave Turco
Year: 3rd
Assistant Coaches: Bob Turco, Paul Nelson, Mike Zirpolo, Mike Dekok, and Joe Hoehman
This Year's Overall Record: 19-6
This Year's Division Record: 12-2, First Place
This Year's Conference Record: 17-3
This Year's Home Record: 10-4
This Year's Road Record: 9-2
This Year's Accomplishments: Won GMC Red Division Title, Reached Semifinals of GMC Tournament, Reached Championship of South Brunswick/Roselle Catholic Holiday Tournament, and Upset Central Jersey Group III Finalist Hamilton.
Longest Winning Streak Of Season: Won 10 Straight
Scoring Offense: 57.2 points per game (Ranked 12th in GMC)
Scoring Defense: 48.0 points per game allowed (Ranked 2nd in GMC)
Point Differential: +9.2 points per game (Ranked 3rd in GMC)
GMC Hoops Teamwork Rating: 70.0 (Ranked 2nd)

Returning Starters: Tommy Hill (5'9", 160, Jr. G) and Danny Stonkus (6'9", 245, Sr. C)

Returning Reserves: Coron Short (5'11", 170, Sr. G), Brent Hunt (6'6", 195, Sr. C), and Nick Fazio (6'2", 185, Jr. F)

Key Losses From Last Season: Cliff Breese (6'5", G/F), Amin Gillespie (6'3", G/F), Mike Sexton (6'0", G), Alex Persaud (5'11", G), Nana Ampin (6'3", Sr. G), and Darryl Pratt (6'2", F)

Key Newcomers: Martin Soaries (6'0", 165, So. G), Joe Clancy (6'0", 175, So. F), Devon Young (6'2", 180, So. F), and Mike Zwiren (5'9", 165, Jr. G)

View the South Brunswick Season Ledger

Summary: The work during the summer appeared to be paying off at mid-season for the Vikes as they won 15 of their first 16 games to earn the top spot in the GMC Hoops Top Ten. However, after a tough, 46-42 loss to a Piscataway team that they had beaten by 23 on the road some twelve days earlier, South Brunswick went into a rut as they lost five of their last nine games including an quarterfinal round contest in the Central Jersey Group IV State Tournament. Nevertheless, the Vikings won the GMC Red Division title, and advanced to the semifinals of the GMCT as the top seed for the second time in four seasons. SBHS looks to be a force again in the Red Division in 2005-06 with plenty of players coming back as well as a solid JV team that won the East Brunswick/GMC JV Tournament, and a freshman team that reached the Perth Amboy/GMC Freshman Tourney final after going 7-15 as eighth graders.

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Team: St. Joseph's
Coach: Mark Taylor
Year: 10th
Assistant Coaches: Bobby Farrell and Wendell Alexis
This Year's Overall Record: 16-10
This Year's Division Record: 11-3, Second Place
This Year's Conference Record: 15-4
This Year's Home Record: 8-3
This Year's Road Record: 8-7
This Year's Accomplishments: Reached GMC Tournament Championship Game, Qualified for Non-Public A South State Tournament, Won 15 of 16 Games, Overcame 1-7 start to finish second in Red Division and Reach GMCT Final, and Upset 18-1 Rochester East in Prime Time Shootout.
Longest Winning Streak Of Season: Won 10 Straight
Scoring Offense: 63.2 points per game (Ranked 5th in GMC)
Scoring Defense: 56.4 points per game allowed (Ranked 17th in GMC)
Point Differential: +6.8 points per game (Ranked 6th in GMC)
GMC Hoops Teamwork Rating: 49.1 (Ranked 10th)

Returning Starters: Sean Baptiste (6'3", Jr. G), Andrew Bynum (7'0", Sr. C), and Kevin Joyce (6'1", Sr. Guard)

Returning Reserves: Kenny Widgeon (6'4", Jr. F) and Shawn Harper (6'6", Sr. F)

Key Losses From Last Season: Josh Batts (6'2", F), Jayson Dolphin (6'2", G), Fofie Mgbako (6'4", C), Rob Pietrocola (6'1", G/F), and Brian Hennessey (5'11", G)

Key Newcomers: Kavon Brandon (6'2", Sr. G) and Al Carpetto (5'9", Jr. G)

View the St. Joseph's Season Ledger

Summary: The Falcons had a roller coaster year as they started their first ten games without center, and top prospect, Andrew Bynum, who injured his knee and originally was declared finished for the season. Playing one of their toughest schedules in school history, St. Joseph's lost seven of their first eight games while the team and the school tried to get a second opinion on Bynum's knee. When they did, Bynum was cleared to play, and the Falcons went on a roll winning 15 of 16 games to not only reach the GMCT Championship game, but also to miracleously qualify for the Non-Public A South State Tournament. St. Joe's also defeated a Rochester East team in the Prime Time Shootout that was nationally regarded with an 18-1 record. The combination of Bynum and Sean Baptiste as well as steady guard play from Kevin Joyce and scoring by Kenny Widgeon proved to be the right medicine. Although the Falcons lost in the waning seconds of the GMCT final to South Plainfield, and were upset in their quarterfinal round game versus Monsignor Donovan in the Non-Public A tourney, St. Joe's ended up being selected one of the ten greatest teams ever by this web site.

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