Bishop Ahr (17-5)--The Trojans enter state tourney play on a sour note after losing in heartbreaking fashion to St. Joe's in the GMCT Quarterfinals. To make matters worse, Ahr lost several days later at home to Immaculata of Somerville by a score of 74-54 to drop a game to the Spartans for the third straight season. Like the Falcons down the road, BGA has a tough road to follow. Not only is Non-Public A South tough for the high level of competition it brings year in and year out, but also for the long bus rides to many of the South Jersey schools such as St. Augustine's, a Quarterfinal matchup for Ahr.

Pros: Veteran squad that has good comeraderie. Improved a great deal defensively over last season. Tremendous perimeter shooting team, and has much more balanced scoring. Plenty of depth with talented junior and sophomore reserves.

Cons: Not too many games outside the GMC Blue this year. After starting the season at 12-1, have gone 5-4 in their last nine games including two straight losses for the first time this season. Not a lot of size down low. Like St. Joseph's, long bus rides to St. Augustine and potentially Holy Spirit await them. Yet to win a state tourney game since at least the GMC Hoops site was launched in 2000.

Non-Conference Record: 2-2.

Key Wins: @Cardinal McCarrick, Spotswood (three times), Metuchen (twice), Middlesex (twice), West Windsor-Plainsboro, @Roselle Catholic.

Key Losses: Cardinal McCarrick, vs. Curtis (Staten Island), @Piscataway, vs. St. Joseph's, and Immaculata.

Cardinal McCarrick (23-4)--The Eagles have matched their win totals from their two previous sectional title seasons of 2003 and 2005. A win over Bishop Eustace in the Quarterfinals will give them perhaps their best record ever. Cardy Mac comes off a great GMC season with a 21-1 conference record, and its second ever GMCT title. In addition, the farther the Eagles can go, the more likely they will win their third GMC Hoops Trophy. Since starting the season at 2-3, McCarrick has won 20 of its last 21 games.

Pros: Played a very tough schedule both outside the GMC Blue and the GMC altogether. Went 8-0 in GMC crossover games, and played the likes of Piscataway, Colonia, South Brunswick, St. Joseph's, Bishop Ahr, Middlesex, Lincoln, Snyder, Hillside, St. Anthony's, and Union. The defense has caught up with the offense, and is perhaps the best its been since the 2002-03 McCarrick that last won both a conference and state sectional crown. The presence of Dominic Appiah gives the Eagles the rebounding that they need to win state tourney games, and Burwell and Rosario are a deadly scoring combination even when one is not on the floor, the other will pick up. Cardy Mac also has home field through the semifinal round if they get that far, and are well coached.

Cons: They will still have to go through top seeded Trenton Catholic, which beat them last season in the Quarterfinals. Rosario and Snider tend to force things, which results in bad shots and turnovers.

Non-Conference Record: 2-3.

Key Wins: vs. Snyder, vs. Hillside, Middlesex (twice), South Brunswick, Colonia (twice), Piscataway, @Bishop Ahr, vs. South Amboy, and vs. St. Joseph's.

Key Losses: Bishop Ahr, @St. Anthony's, vs. Lincoln (Jersey City), and Union

St. Joseph's (20-7)--The Falcons are looking to build on their fine GMC tourney run with another such effort in the states, where they have been pulling off similar feats to their county effort this season for the past two years. In just three years as head coach at St. Joseph's, Dave Turco has compiled 61 wins while only losing 22 games. The bracket they have is not a favorable one although you have to like their chances in the opening round against Gloucester Catholic, a team moving up to Non-Public A after being in Non-Public B last season. A win in the opening round means another war with Holy Spirit of Absecon, which St. Joe's has upset in each of the past two years.

Pros: Although the Falcons are young with eight sophomores and three freshmen on its roster along with only two seniors, they are fearless, scrappy, and determined. St. Joseph's has overachieved for the third straight season thanks to the fine coaching of Dave Turco. Very solid defensively with one of the top scoring defenses in terms of points allowed. Very athletic with Paul Konopacki, Gerard Lewis, and Robbie Ashamole. Sophomore Steve Rennard has stepped up to be a leader this year with a fine performance that earned him all tourney team honors in the 2008 GMCT. Solid conference tourney run gives them tremendous momentum entering state tourney play.

Cons: Must keep scores low, and dictate tempo since they don't score much offensively. Not a lot of size underneath as well. Have to go on the road for long trips to South Jersey schools such as Gloucester Catholic, and potentially to Holy Spirit and St. Augustine's Prep. Holy Spirit, which was undefeated at one point in the season, will be looking for revenge against the Falcons after being dismissed earlier than expected by St. Joe's the past two seasons.

Non-Conference Record: 6-1.

Key Wins: vs. Bishop Ahr, vs. Piscataway, South Brunswick (three times), Ridge, Memorial (West New York), Moore Catholic, Hoboken, @New Providence, McKee Vo-Tech (Staten Island).

Key Losses: J.P. Stevens (twice), Colonia, Piscataway (twice), vs. Notre Dame, and vs. Cardinal McCarrick.

J.P. Stevens (20-5)--In one of the finest stories this 2007-08 season, the Hawks of J.P. Stevens emerged from years of mediocrity into its best season since the days Tony Newsom, the all time leading scorer at the North Edison school, roamed the halls. Stevens even defied the very positive projections by this web site back not only in December, but in September as well. Anchored by a very talented junior class, and led by seniors such as point guard, Alex Cacoilo, JPS has a first round bye, and a Quarterfinal game on their home court. Unfortunately for them, it is against either Linden or Elizabeth.

Pros: Nice blend of youth and experience. Have a lot of size on frontline, and the Hawks are deep and athletic. Good guard play and solid defensively. Best season school has had in almost 20 years. Played well against top teams such as Scotch Plains, Rahway, Piscataway (second time), St. Joseph's, Academy Charter, South Brunswick, and Colonia.

Cons: While they have a first round bye, and a Quarterfinal game at home, the Hawks have to face either Linden or Elizabeth from the Watchung Conference. In addition, there are numerous other minefields awaiting in North Jersey Section 2 Group IV. Occasionally have the tendency to come out flat such as late season games versus Old Bridge at home, and South Brunswick on the road.

Non-Conference Record: 5-1.

Key Wins: St. Joseph's (twice), vs. Holmdel, vs. Scotch Plains, @Academy Charter, South Brunswick (twice), @North Brunswick, and Middlesex.

Key Losses: @Rahway, Piscataway (twice), Old Bridge, and vs. Colonia.

North Brunswick (11-10)--The Raiders have been a streaky team in 2007-08. NBTHS started the season with three losses in their first four contests including a last second upset loss to Perth Amboy. Then, got on a hot streak with seven wins in their next eight to not only be 8-4 overall, but in first place in the GMC White at 6-1. However, the team went south after that with six losses in their last nine including five of their last seven in divisional play. With the combination of scorer C.J. Brathwaite as well as pivot man, Jeff Ashamole, and a good blend of veteran and young talent led by St. Peter's transfer, Justin Morgan, the Raiders are making their second straight state playoff appearance.

Pros: Have plenty of size and athletic ability. Plays better at home. Have a very good scorer in Brathwaite as well as a solid low post presence in Ashamole. Good passing team.

Cons: Lost six of their last nine entering the state tourney. Also, the injury to junior Michael Cole hurts as well. Only played three non-conference games all season. The Raiders also only played three crossover contests including two versus Perth Amboy in the 2007 Len Sepanak Tournament in Basking Ridge in December. Turnovers a big issue as well as the inability to have a consistent threat from the perimeter, and make free throws. Also, the team doesn't defend the perimeter well. On top of all that, even if they win against Montgomery, they have to again travel down to Rancocas Valley in Burlington County for the Quarterfinals of the Central Jersey Group IV bracket.

Non-Conference Record: 1-1.

Key Wins: Carteret, vs. Rutgers Prep, Sayreville, and Monroe.

Key Losses: @Sayreville, vs. Perth Amboy, @Carteret, J.P. Stevens, South Plainfield, Nottingham.

Piscataway (20-4)--At the beginning of the season, it looked very possible that Piscataway could finally be that GMC team to break through in the always tough and competitive North Jersey Section 2 Group IV bracket. However, mid-season distractions put this team in somewhat of a funk down the stretch, and it caught up with them in the GMC Semis against St. Joseph's. The Chiefs will have to make a choice: Feel sorry for themselves for not defending their conference crown, and go out in the early rounds, or do what South Brunswick did last season, and get themselves together for a strong state tourney run.

Pros: Have a lot of size upfront, very deep, athletic, great defensively. Played a very tough conference, and non-conference schedule. Undefeated at home.

Cons: Didn't like the role of being the hunted as much as the hunter they were last year. Mid-season distractions hurt the team. Need to finish better inside, shoot more consistently from the outside, and need to pick up the intensity again. The team lost some of its early season luster. Also, have Watchung Hills, the team that knocked the Chiefs out in the first round last year, as a possible Quarterfinal opponent.

Non-Conference Record: 3-2.

Key Wins: South Brunswick (twice), St. Joseph's (twice), J.P. Stevens (twice), vs. Immaculata, vs. Seton Hall Prep, Westfield, Bishop Ahr, Dunellen, and vs. Carteret.

Key Losses: @Bridgewater, @Cardinal McCarrick, vs. Oak Hill Academy, and vs. St. Joseph's.

Sayreville (17-7)--For the first time since 2003-04 season, the Sayreville Bombers have gotten a ticket to the Big Dance. After having numerous close losses last year that prevented them from qualifying, the Bombers enjoyed a solid off-season including a 10-0 record at one of the Rutgers team camps. Despite losing senior Ray Rodriguez to a season ending injury from football, and not having key JV players such as Rasheim Clarke and Chris Robinson come out for the team, Sayreville managed to get off to its best start since the days of Samir Sanu, Bobby Brown, and Dwayne Thomas, and ended up making its first appearance in the GMC Hoops Top Ten in four seasons.

Pros: Nice blend of athleticism, quickness, and size. Good guard play. One of the top scoring offenses in the GMC while also being on of the top scoring defenses. 11-3 record on the road. Moreover, the Bombers can win big games on the road.

Cons: Not a very strong non-conference schedule. Having to play on the road at a Shore Conference school. Especially one that is in the same division as Marlboro, a team that the Bombers lost in overtime to earlier in the season.

Non-Conference Record: 4-1.

Key Wins: North Brunswick, @Hightstown, @Colonia, @Carteret, and @Old Bridge.

Key Losses: Monroe (twice), Carteret (twice), Colonia, Marlboro, @North Brunswick.

South Brunswick (13-11)--The Vikings were slightly disappointing in terms of the pre-season expectations made for them in December. However, this team is a veteran squad in terms of their starters that have been battled tested with a number of close games against quality opponents this year. The defending sectional champ have a tough road to hoe with Trenton on the horizon in the second round, but could cause some trouble if the team, which didn't gel as much during the offseason, begins to come together now.

Pros: Battled tested. Lost a lot of close games to a number of strong opponents. Starting five is a veteran group. Defending sectional champions. Good blend of size and athletic ability as well as good guard play. Stong defensively.

Cons: Not a lot of depth. Need to be more consistent on offense, especially from the perimeter. Only 3-4 in their last seven games. Below .500 on the road. Have top seeded Trenton Central on the road potentially in the Quarterfinal round.

Non-Conference Record: 4-3.

Key Wins: Franklin (twice) and Wayne Valley.

Key Losses: St. Joseph's (three times), Piscataway (twice), J.P. Stevens (twice), @Red Bank, @Cardinal McCarrick, @Notre Dame, and @Highstown.

Colonia (20-6)--The Patriots are looking to defend their North Jersey Section 2 Group III sectional crown from last season, where it won over Union Hill in double overtime at Plainfield High School. Team had gotten off to its best start since the launching of the GMC Hoops web site back in the summer of 2000 with seven straight wins, but then disciplinary problems for one of its players became a distraction, and left a key void the starting lineup. However, after some mid-season struggles, the Pats rebounded to win yet another GMC White crown, and reach the GMCT Final Four for the first time since winning it all in 2006.

Pros: Found a way to regroup, and cope without the likes of Nnamdi Usuwa in the lineup. Solid guard play especially at the point. Ability to control tempo. Solid team defensively. Veteran group. Well coached. Tough crossover and non-conference schedule. Defending sectional champs. Ability to win big games especially when underestimated.

Cons: Senior point guard, Brandon Hall has a tendency to foul out on occasion. Loss of Nnamdi Usuwa from earlier in the season hurts in the sense that the Patriots lose some size and athleticism that would help them matchup better against the likes of Rahway. Both Hall and D'Amico haven't been in sync offensively in terms of shooting well together in key games.

Non-Conference Record: 4-1.

Key Wins: Carteret, vs. Moore Catholic, vs. Memorial, vs. McKee Vo-Tech, @St. Joseph's, Monroe (twice), North Brunswick (three times), @Sayreville, vs. J.P. Stevens, and Freehold Boro.

Key Losses: @Woodbridge, Sayreville, Cardinal McCarrick (twice), @Carteret, and vs. Hackensack.

Monroe (15-11)--Despite injuries to key players such as point guard Ivan Baretto, and some very difficult personal challenges faced by the likes of big hearted Ryan Walp and top scorer, Steve Blish, the Monroe Falcons have found a way to qualify for the state tournament for the third straight year under the direction of head coach, Bob Turco. The team has played very well at home, has a good blend of youth and experience, and has had moments where it has played really well, and beaten solid teams. If they can be more consistent in doing that, handle the ball well, and shoot well from the perimeter.

Pros: Good blend of youth and experience. Tough defensively. Well coached. Steve Blish and Justin Mitchell provide plenty of scoring from perimeter and inside. Very good team at home. Team consists of several players, who have dealt with, or are dealing with difficult off the court problems with grace and fearlessness to show great character.

Cons: Can be streaky and unpredictable. All depends on their perimeter shooting. Below .500 on the road. Injuries to key players such as Ivan Barreto have hurt. Enter state tournament play with losses in five of their last nine games. Have Neptune as a potenital semifinal matchup on the road.

Non-Conference Record: 3-3.

Key Wins: Sayreville (twice), @Carteret, North Brunswick, McKee Tech, Dunellen, and Perth Amboy Tech.

Key Losses: vs. Moore Catholic, vs. Memorial, @Spotswood, Colonia (twice), @North Brunswick, @South Plainfield, Carteret, @South Amboy, Technology, and Metuchen.

Carteret (16-8)--The Ramblers return to the state tourney this season with the hopes of making an even greater run this time around. After having an up and down start thanks to the success of the football team, which had such basketball standouts as Brian Williams and Al Tampa, the team won 13 of its last 17, and finished second in the GMC White before reaching the Elite Eight round of the 2008 GMCT for the first time in six seasons. Carteret could be one of the dark horses in a section that has a lot of athletic teams such as Weequahic and Roselle. Ramblers will need, however, to play smart especially when games get tight, or other teams are making a run, be more consistent from the perimeter, and make free throws down the stretch.

Pros: Very athletic, quick, and tenacious on the glass. Have some size, and are very tough defensively. Play well at home. Won 13 of their last 17 games after a slow start due to success of football team. Can play physical. Had a good state tourney run last season. Slightly above .500 on the road. Tough overall schedule that included ten teams that qualified for the state tournament.

Cons: Not a great shooting team from the perimeter, and have their share of struggles at the foul line. Also, some players tend to let their emotions get the best of them during the heat of battle. Roselle looms in the Quarterfinals as well as Delaware Valley in the semis. Then, there's Weequahic of Newark on the other side of the bracket.

Non-Conference Record: 2-2.

Key Wins: University Academy Charter, Sayreville (twice), @Dunellen, Colonia, North Brunswick, @Monroe, Red Bank Catholic.

Key Losses: @Colonia, @North Brunswick, vs. Montgomery, Old Bridge, Monroe, Rahway, Sayreville, vs. Piscataway.

Spotswood (13-11)--The Chargers made their second straight visit to the state tournament after enduring a tough start. While small in stature, Spotswood is big in heart with scrappers like James Pareti, and when its on from the perimeter with the likes of juniors Ross Gerhart and Pat Dwyer as well as sophomore Cody Pace, no lead is safe. The Bolts are one of the most proficient offenses in the GMC, but will have a tough mountain to climb with road games at Carteret, Roselle, and Delaware Valley on their itinerary if they get far enough.

Pros: Won 12 of their last 20 games after starting the season at 1-4. Fairly good guard play with the likes of Ross Gerhart and Cody Pace. Well Coached. Better on the road than at home this season.

Cons: Fairly young squad. Not a lot of size. Can be erratic at the foul line. Have Carteret on the road in the first road, and then potentially Roselle and Delaware Valley after that.

Non-Conference Record: 5-1.

Key Wins: Monroe, @Metuchen, @Dunellen, North Plainfield, @Old Bridge, and Raritan.

Key Losses: Bishop Ahr (three times), Cardinal McCarrick (twice), Middlesex (twice), Metuchen, J.F. Kennedy (twice), and @Bound Brook.

Dunellen (13-12)--For the seventh straight year, the Destroyers are playing in the big dance. After reaching the sectional semifinals a couple years ago, Dunellen was knocked out in the Quarterfinals by Metuchen last season. This year, after a very tough start by their standards, and despite scheduling up significantly, the team has managed to get in although with a very low seed.

Pros: Started at 2-6 to begin the season, but won 10 of next 12 to qualify for the state tournament for the seventh straight year. Adapted defense to suit the personnel in a great change of coaching tactic. Turned things around despite scheduling up heavily this season. New additions such as Jonard Hall and Reggie Thorpe provide athleticism. T.J. Wenzel can shoot well, and Jim Schleppenbach has found a way to contribute despite reduced minutes after a season ending injury last season. Nick Francisco has steadily improved, and has the ability to go to the line, and make plenty of foul shots.

Cons: Enter state tourney play with four losses in the last five games including three straight. Have defending champion, Create Charter on the road in the first round. Then must travel to Keyport, and then to Academy Charter for the semifinals.

Non-Conference Record: 3-4.

Key Wins: Perth Amboy Tech (twice), Roselle Catholic, J.F. Kennedy, North Plainfield, and Old Bridge.

Key Losses: South Amboy (twice), J.F. Kennedy, Princeton Day, Hackettstown, Union Catholic, Monroe, Spotswood, Carteret, Piscataway, Middlesex, and St. Mary's (Jersey City).

Metuchen (11-10)--The Bulldogs are making their four straight state tourney appearance after being absent for nearly two decades. MHS has a star player on their roster, and if the younger players around him can get him the ball, especially inside where he can have mismatches, the team could do well. The school has reached the Final Four round in each of the past three seasons with two final berths in 2005 and 2006. However, this year's team is the lowest seeded a Metuchen team has been in their recent run.

Pros: Have one of the best players in the bracket in DeJuan Miller. The Bulldogs have reached the final four of this bracket in each of the past three seasons. Have some size and athletic ability along with a decent mix of young and veteran talent that can play well together at times.

Cons: The team is mostly a very young team with eight sophomores and two freshmen on the roster. Lost four of its last five entering the state tournament. Fail to get the ball inside to Miller at times, and are plagued by turnovers. Didn't play a lot of crossover games during the season. Have a tough game on the road at South Amboy, then a potential matchup with Asbury Park in the Quarterfinals, and Middlesex in the semifinals.

Non-Conference Record: 3-2.

Key Wins: Secaucus, Monroe, @Spotswood, Princeton Day

Key Losses: Bishop Ahr (twice), Cardinal McCarrick (twice), Middlesex (twice), Keansburg, Spotswood, @South Plainfield, and Ridge.

Middlesex (17-6)--After six seasons of mediocrity, the Blue Jays have not only qualified for the state tournament, but they have attained the only top seed for a GMC team in 2007-08. Middlesex has a good group of kids that get along well, and it shows on the court with great team play. The team is well coached, and is comfortable playing at home, or on the road for the most part although the Jays have home court through the semis provided that they win.

Pros: Very team oriented. Fairly deep. Unselfish play. Balanced scoring. Good guard play and perimeter shooting. Good team comerarderie. Plays well both at home, and on the road. Good team defense. Only GMC team to have the top seed in their bracket. Have home court through the semifinal round. Not afraid to run or play up-tempo although they can run a disciplined offense.

Cons: .500 in their last eight games including three losses in their last five games. Have Asbury Park as a potenital semifinal matchup.

Non-Conference Record: 4-0.

Key Wins: South Amboy, Perth Amboy, Woodbridge, Princeton Day, Metuchen (twice), Spotswood (twice), Dunellen.

Key Losses: Cardinal McCarrick (twice), Bishop Ahr (twice), J.F. Kennedy, and J.P. Stevens.

Perth Amboy Tech (14-10)--Despite losing a lot of key players to graduation after last season's successful campaign, the Patriots are back in it for the second straight year. With athletic scorers such as Anthony Patterson and Joey Castro along with a group of small, but quick guards that can create havoc, and force turnovers, Amboy Tech defied many odds against them this season. However, they will have to find a way to go on the road, and beat a Bound Brook team that pounded them back in the first full week of the season.

Pros: Quick guards. Patterson is a very good scorer. Castro provides good second option. Team can force a lot of turnovers, and create havoc. Young team. Did better overall and in division than projected in pre-season.

Cons: Lost three straight entering state tournament. Not very strong out of conference schedule. Not consistent enough from the perimeter. Not a lot of size. Play a Bound Brook team in the first round that soundly defeated the Patriots back in December (82-39).

Non-Conference Record: 7-3.

Key Wins: New Brunswick, Piscataway Tech (twice), South River.

Key Losses: Bound Brook, Dunellen (twice), South Amboy (twice), Monroe, New Egypt, North 13th Street Tech, Perth Amboy, and Piscataway Tech.

South Amboy (16-7)--The Guvs are enjoying their best season since the launch of the GMC Hoops web site in the Summer of 2000, and prior to the start of the 2000-01 season. The school won its first ever division title, and reached the GMCT Elite Eight on a fine tourney run. They have a great inside and out combination as well as a fine supporting cast. South Amboy will look to make a great run not only for history sake, but also to honor their long time head coach, George Krzyzanowski, who is retiring after this season.

Pros: Very high scoring offense (tops in GMC). Solid inside and outside threats with Mark Simko and Larry Lenahan. Played a very tough schedule with the likes of such playoff teams as Bernards, Keyport, Dunellen, Middlesex, Monroe, Cardinal McCarrick, Perth Amboy Tech, Jonathan Dayton, and Timothy Christian. Team qualified for tourney last year so they have prior playoff experience. Made a good run in the 2008 GMCT.

Cons: Team playing a bit Jekyll and Hyde entering state tourney play with wins over the likes of Dunellen, Monroe, and South Plainfield, and losses to Timothy Christian (later lost to Highland Park several days later), and Mater Dei (8-16). Not very deep. Need more consistency from the perimeter outside of Simko. Had trouble with foul shooting this season although it got better by the end of regular season. Has to go on the road to Asbury Park if it gets by Metuchen in first round.

Non-Conference Record: 4-5.

Key Wins: Dunellen (twice), Edison, J.F. Kennedy, Perth Amboy Tech (twice), Keansburg (twice), Monroe, and South Plainfield.

Key Losses: Bernards, Keyport, Jonathan Dayton, Middlesex, Timothy Christian, Cardinal McCarrick, and Mater Dei.