Paterson, N.J………..The Paterson Recreation ran by Playaz Basketball Club coordinator Jimmy Salmon will begin their Fall League season beginning Wednesday and having games on Monday and Wednesday during the month of September and October at Kennedy Highschool in Paterson! The league consists of a multitude of  talent from around the area! The talent level will be led by Rivals #4 ranked player in the country, St. Anthony senior Kyle Anderson(pictured right)! Anderson’s teammates,Senior’s Jerome Frink and Jimmy Hall will also be on the floor during the Fall League action! Other top seniors in the League will be Teaneck’s Chris Jones and Neville Fincher, Gill St. Bernards Dominic Hoffman, Eastside’s DeAndre Noble, Paramus Catholic’s Vaughn Dudley,Hudson Catholic’s Grant Ellis,Kennedy’s Sammy Singletary, St. Raymond’s of New York’s Daniel Dingle and Nkereuwem Okoro!There is also a star studded class of underclassmen that will be playing led by  Hudson Catholic’s Juniors Reggie Cameron, Kavon Stewart and Mike Young! Also in the league will be St. Anthony’s Josh Brown and Chris Regus, Gill St. Bernard’s Jaren Sina, Teaneck’s Joel Hernandez, Paramus Catholic’s Kyle Merard, Eastside’s Quaddir Smith, Hawthorne Christian’s Alex Thomas and Hackensack’s Rashard Figures, Chris Myers and Corey Brown to name a few! It should also be interesting to see some of the top freshman that will be playing in the League such as St. Benedict’s Isaiah Briscoe, Hudson Catholic’s Nassir Barrino and Paramus Catholic’s Marquel Sheffield! Just proves the high quality of basketball that will be on display! Wednesday’s games pit Reebok’s Back vs. Somerset Counties Best and The Gray Bees vs. St. Raymonds at 7:00pm then will have Hudson Hawks vs. Bergen Highwaymen and Paterson Spirits vs. Paramus Paladins! Stay with NJ Hoops-Journal for up to date reports regarding the Fall League!!!!!

         Darrick Wood, the talented senior swingman from NIA Prep and The Playaz Basketball Club has committed to St.John’s University! Wood is a 6’4 athletic wing who can get to the basket and jump over a defender or knock down the “triple”! Darrick chose the Red Storm over U.S.C., Oklahoma State, Seton Hall, Penn State and Virginia Tech among others! Playaz director Jim Salmon said ” D had a great month of July! He proved to everyone that was paying attention that he was a high major recruit”! When talking to Wood his reasoning for his choice was the Johnnies” fit his style of play as it’s  hard nosed and rugged” which despite his slender frame is how he is  accustomed to playing! Darrick also was impressed with the campus as in his opinion it’s not too big or small and much greener than expected! “Thought it was going to be more concrete and city like but was impressed by all the grass” Wood explained! Probably the most important factor is the fact that St.John’s coaching staff has all had experience in the League! Wood said ” I was very impressed by that”! Darrick will complete his senior season, but has not committed to finishing his last year at NIA! ” I haven’t made that decision just yet” Wood said! Whatever the outcome, Hoop Journal would like to congratulate Darrick and his family on the decision and hope for nothing but the best in the future! 

Wayne, N.J……… In a day of hot competition, New Heights 17u team walked away with the Joe Brown Memorial Tournament “chip”, while the Sportsfest Achievers from Pennsylvania pulled off the 16u”chip”! A number of College coaches were in the gym to witness the abundance of talent on display in the Playaz sponsored certified event! Sports Achievers used a team effort in beating Upstate, a Buffalo based program who fought hard but eventually fell 59-56! New Heights held off a late challenge to beat the Panthers 70-67 in an all New York final! Jarrel Marshall led the scoring for New Heights with 16 points, while Isaiah Cousins had 14 points and Joel Angus added 13! Mike Taylor led the way for the Panthers with 23 points, while Malik Nichols had 18!

      The Playaz 16u team played in the 17u and fell one game short of the championship game, falling to the Panthers 72-67 in overtime! The 15u team played up in the 16u and finished 1-2 for the day! New Jersey players represented themselves well for the day!  Here are a few that had strong showings: 

  Mike Young- Playaz  – Played strong throughout the day! Almost got a triple double in one contest, falling 2 blocks shy!

    Reggie Cameron- Playaz – Showed the stroke that has D-1 coaches drooling! Also displayed high I.Q. and strong passing skills! 

 Geno Thorpe – Playaz – Wowed coaches with his athleticsm! Knocked midrange shot down consistently! Endline to endline speed!

 Kavon Stewart – Playaz – Showed his ability to get in lane at any time which enables him to create for others or get his own! Faster than even he realizes!

   Wes Dickinson – Gym Ratz – Wes showed his energy and big man skills while also showing an improved mid range game! Very high I.Q.

    Chris Orozco – Gym Ratz – Put it on the floor well and knocked down shots! Is very cool and hard to rattle!