Old Tappan’s Shane McLaughlin knew what he wanted and his hard work paid off! The 6’1 point guard went to Choate Prep School this year after being a 1st Team All Bergen County selection the year before! McLaughlin had a strong Prep season and accomplished his goal of playing Division 1 basketball as he committed to Bryant University in Rhode Island! Bryant is in the Northeast Conference and is now eligible to compete for the first time as an official Division 1 member! McLaughlin averaged 11 points and 8 assists for Choate and it came down to Fairfield, Vermont and F.D.U. as well as Bryant for the next level! Shane told us he chose Bryant because it was the best fit for him both academically and athletically and was very honest in his assessment that he can get playing time quickly! He wants to play right away and felt they gave him the best opportunity! Hoop Journal has followed Shane’s highschool and prep career and feel he would be a great addition for any school and would like to congratulate Shane, his father Jim, mother Dawn, brother Troy and sister Kelsey on his accomplishment and nothing but the best in the future!

          Wood-Ridge 6’6 Senior Vin O’Bierne has decided to play his collegiate ball at Division 2 Caldwell College! While he had other schools like Kutztown St., William Paterson and other D 3 schools in the area not to mention a couple of Juco’s in Illinois and Arizona, O’Bierne liked the fact that basketball is the main attraction for Caldwell and it’s family atmosphere and of course, it’s close to home! Vinnie wanted to thank his Highschool Coach Ed Rendizio and his Highschool teammates, particularly Gary Whritenour, Mike Gibney, Angel Colon, Matt Alvarez and Dave Toro for being a big factor in him reaching his goal of playing on the Collegiate level! Also his Gym Ratz aau Coach Ozzie Osbourne! Hoop Journal would like to congratulate Vin, his father Vin, mother Lisa, sister Ashley and brother Daniel on his choice and hopes for nothing but big things in the future!

   Passaic County Tech 6’6 bigman Shackquiel Scott has a dream of playing Division 1 basketball! So when school’s ignored one of the best pure athlete’s in the area he made a choice to start his after highschool career at the Robinson Prep School! Scott feels taking this route will give him a chance to better himself academically as well as athletically and feels it will boost his stock to other schools! Shack is an intriguing player who shows a lot of potential in his game! He may be the player Coaches shake their head on later! Hoop Journal wishes nothing but the best for Shackquiel, his father Troy Dawson, mother Marlene Dawson and brother Kareem Scott in the future!