Paterson……. Paterson Catholic’s freshman Reggie Cameron, a Max Preps top 50 player in the class of 2013 has decided to lace them up for the Hawks of Hudson Catholic. In an exclusive interview with Reggie, He said ” I just feel like it was the best fit with Hudson Catholic and I’m excited to play for Coach Nick Mariniello next season”. Cameron had a strong list of schools that he was interested in, including St. Anthony’s, St. Patricks, Don Bosco Prep and St. Benedicts but in the long run chose Coach Mariniello’s young squad.” What he and the kids at Paterson Catholic had to go through was very unfortunate and I sympathize with them all. Fortunately, we are getting a kid who we hope we can build socially, acadamically and athletically. He’s a high character individual who is the kind of player we want in our program” Coach Mariniello said. Reggie’s A.A.U. director Jimmy Salmon of The Playaz Basketball Club also likes Reggie’s decision. ” We have a large number of great coaches in New Jersey and Nick Mariniello is one of the best. He should be a great fit for Reggie and Kavon(Stewart who also is going to Hudson Catholic)” Cameron had moments last year for a tremendous Paterson Catholic team and made the most of his opportunities when called upon. He scored 21 points in a game last year but will always be remembered for his play last year in The City Of Palms Classic in Florida that was won by the Cougars. He helped them comeback against Monteverde when they were down by 20 by hitting a couple of three’s to start the rally and in the finals against Winter Park Florida and Austin Rivers came off the bench in the 4th quarter to knock down another three to tie the game and ignite the Cougars to the Chip! While the 6’6 Cameron had opportunities to go to other places, his father Reggie, put it like this” I feel honestly, it’s extremely hard to turn away from an opportunity to play for a Hall of Fame coach in Bob Hurley and St. Anthony’s and also a powerhouse nationally such as St. Patricks and it was also hard not to go to Don Bosco Prep, a great academic school and close locally, but I feel extremely comfortable with my son’s choice of Hudson Catholic and Coach Nick and him not being afraid to be the beginning of a New!”

Paterson….. In a NJHoops Journal exclusive, Paterson Catholic junior Myles Mack(pictured) has decided to continue wearing maroon and gold as a St. Anthony’s Friar. In a one on one with the highly talented point guard Mack said it wasn’t easy,but in the end he bonded better with the  coaching staff and he gets to play for a Hall of Famer in Bob Hurley, St. Anthony’s legendary coach. He also will be reunited with his Paterson Catholic teammate Kyle Anderson, who also is taking his talents to Jersey City. Mack, who has competed against the Friars the last three years also feels he has a legitimate chance at winning the New Jersey T.O.C. with St. Anthony’s and that is definitely still a big goal of his. Mack’s Playaz A.A.U. Director Jimmy Salmon is pleased with the decision. ” I’m very comfortable with this decision and feel it will payoff in the short term and long term for Myles and the people who are in his inner circle are also comfortable with his decision” Salmon said. Mack said he had a great three years at Paterson Catholic, but understands that he has to move on and do what’s best for him. Coach Hurley said ” In my mind Myles Mack is the best guard in the state and I feel bad that he can no longer play for Paterson Catholic. But I am excited for the opportunity to coach him and to continue his development into being a great player in highschool and eventually on the college level”

Paterson……The Playaz 6th Annual Blow Up for 13u and 14u finished with a classic battle between the Gauchos of New York and the Playaz 14u team. the game was nip and tuck the entire way, but in the end, the Playaz overcame a 5 point lead with 21 seconds left in regulation to tie and send it into overtime and eventually win it 71-64! Marques Townes scored all 18 of his points in the second half and Isaiah Briscoe(pictured below), the tournament M.V.P. scored 17 and sent the game into the first overtime on a slick dribble drive layup. The Gauchos, behind the play of Isaiah Ice, Chris Robinson and Steven Bush seemed to have the game in control late when the Playaz relentless defense created turnovers late that proved to be their undoing. The Playaz also got strong contributions from point guard Nassir Barrino( 10pts), post man Nadi Beciri (14pts) and Juwann Carter who played strong defense when called upon in the contest. Robinson and Ice were named to the All Tournament team as well as Townes. The 13u game was won by Rhode Island over New Heights 67-53. Donovan Love(21pts) was named M.V.P. while point gurd Austin Paiui was named All Tournament along with New Heights Willie Barnes and Hakeem”Slue” Brown.